February 1st, 2023

February is Black Brilliance Month at the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). For more than 200 years, Black people have been present in Waterloo Region. This year’s theme “We Boldly Belong” is guided by the WRDSB’s mission to foster a school system where each child is represented, valued and included. We Boldly Belong is a message from ACBi students to those responsible for creating the conditions for their learning.

The WRDSB is committed to tackling systemic anti-Black racism in education. Through our celebration of Black Brilliance Month, we aim to create an environment where African, Caribbean and Black-identifying (ACBi) staff and students see their brilliance highlighted, represented and celebrated.

February 17 is Black Brilliance Day

Started in 2022, Black Brilliance Day is held on the third Friday of every February in the WRDSB. This is a day to centre and celebrate Black joy, diversity and identity.

Black Brilliance Month Keynote Speaker – Sara Terier

“To me, Black Brilliance symbolizes our perseverance and strength, but not in the way one may imagine. It is about prioritising self-care and being compassionate to yourself. It is about focusing on personal growth and doing the things you love and are passionate about.”

Sara Terier is a Sudanese Grade 12 student at Laurel Heights Secondary School (LHSS). She runs her school’s Black Student Union (BSU), Affinity Roundtable meetings and has helped plan several Black Brilliance events. She is passionate about social justice, animal welfare, the arts, and science. Her empathetic nature and community-oriented mindset drive her to get involved in causes she cares about. In her free time, she volunteers at her local Humane Society, working towards her goal of becoming a Veterinarian.

Sara is also the designer of this year’s Black Brilliance t-shirt:

Join the Celebration

We invite all WRDSB schools and members of the community to celebrate Black Brilliance Month all February long and Black Brilliance Day with us on February 17. Show us how you’re celebrating by sharing your photos with us on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WRDSBBlackBrilliance and #BlackBrillianceDay.