Back to Search
On February 3rd, 2026, employees at the Greater Essex County District School Board Administration Office gathered to raise the Pan-African Flag and mark the beginning of Black History Month. The Pan-African Flag has also been raised at all of our schools and work sites.
This moving ceremony was hosted entirely by students, who did an exceptional job speaking, reading poetry, and sharing personal reflections on the meaning of Black History Month and their own connections to honouring Black history. Attendees also heard remarks from Director of Education Vicki Houston and were honoured to hear Carmen Carter, Andria Turner and Lana Talbot, members of Sandwich First Baptist Church, perform the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The ceremony was led by Alaa Ebrahim from Riverside Secondary School and Oyinkansola Adeniji from Walkerville Collegiate. Angel Elekwach from Honourable W.C. Kennedy Collegiate read the GECDSB Land Acknowledgement, and Marques Saric-Robinson, a graduate of Westview Freedom Academy, led the Black Land Acknowledgement.
Amina Abdulle-Butcher, Teacher Consultant for Equity, shared the meaning and significance of the Pan African Flag. “It reminds us to honour our ancestors, to recognize our shared struggles and to celebrate our shared strength.” She added, “As we look to this flag, may we always remember not only where we come from but of the joy and the privilege that we have to continue to work with unity, pride and liberation.”
Director of Education Vicki Houston spoke about what raising the flag represents for the Greater Essex County District School Board and how this action is intended to shape the experiences of students and staff across the system, stating that “…this moment is both symbolic and intentional. It reflects our commitment to creating learning and working environments where Black students and staff feel seen, valued, and supported – and where conversations about identity, history and systemic barriers are part of our shared responsibility.”
Addressing students, staff, and trustees directly, Director Houston added, “To students, may this flag remind you that your identity is powerful and your voice matters. To staff and trustees, may it strengthen our resolve to lead with courage, humility and accountability.”
Attendees also heard powerful speeches from Natalie Browning-Morgan, Black Graduation Coach, Abel Biru from W.F. Herman Academy and Mateen Bakare from Vincent Massey Secondary School.
Natalie shared, “As we reflect on the legacy of Freedom Fighters, Abolitionists, and Civil Rights Leaders, whose visions were grounded in collective action, we look forward to tomorrow’s visionaries. The emerging leaders, innovators and changemakers who are redefining Black Excellence in every single field. Some of those students are sitting here before you today.”
Abel shared, “This flag represents connection, cultures carried forward, identities perceived, and strength passed down through generations. To me, it represents pride and purpose.”
Mateen shared, “Black people did not appear in the 15th century, waiting to be captured as slaves. We have been here as long as everyone else…this leads to the issue of people believing our history is rooted in oppression, held down by captivity and lacking creativity, which are ideas that are simply not true.” He added, “Black Excellence is to be celebrated, but not an anomaly. Every one of us is capable of success.”
Prior to raising the flag and closing the ceremony, Oyinkansola Adeniji shared the following poem:
Who Are You?
Written by Oyinkansola Adeniji
I am taking us back to the beginning, to before labels were put upon us. To when our names were given to us with the destined future of fruitfulness. To when our name was our identity.
Standing here, breathing in the freedom my ancestors fought tirelessly for.
I make known my presence, I make known my voice, and I make known the energy that arises here.
I am taking us back to the beginning, to before labels were put upon us. To when our names were given to us with the destined future of fruitfulness. To when our name was our identity.
In the words of the Yoruba people, ta ni e? Ki loruko e? Tori, oruko mi ni Oyinkansola.
Who are you? What is your name? Because my name is Oyinkansola.
Honey dripped into wealth. The sweetness of wealth. That is who I am; that is what my ancestors call me.
Now, who are you?
Subscribe