CONT710: Addressing Anti-Black Racism to Change Pedagogy and Practice, Part 1

Course Schedule

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Course Description

This course offers a deep, multi-layered exploration of anti-Black racism in education, guiding candidates to critically examine how historical, social, and institutional forces shape the experiences of African, Afro-Caribbean, and Black learners. Grounded in the Nguzo Saba principles, the course weaves together African-centred knowledge systems, counter-stories, lived experiences, and contemporary research to help educators understand how racism, bias, language, power, and privilege influence pedagogy and school culture. Through a sustained investigation of Black histories, identities, communities, and ways of knowing, participants analyze their own positionality, challenge dominant narratives, and learn to design inclusive, culturally responsive, joyful, and identity-affirming learning environments. The course emphasizes advocacy, relational pedagogies, community partnership, and systemic change, supporting educators in developing the knowledge, commitment, and actionable strategies required to centre Black voices, disrupt discriminatory structures, and build equitable educational pathways for Black learners across all contexts

What You Will Learn and Do

In this course, you will

• examine your obligation to provide education to African, Afro-Caribbean and Black learners in a manner that ensures equal their rights and opportunities without discrimination as per The Ontario Human Rights Code
• explore the connections between the principles of Nguzo Saba (Swahhili for seven principles) and the instructional practices that guide pedagogy and relationships
• examine key foundational understandings necessary to better centre and serve African, Afro-Caribbean and Black learners, families and communities
• develop an understanding of your responsibility within the education system that informs and influences your personal philosophy of education
• analyze counter stories and African, Afro-Caribbean and Black-centred knowledge systems to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the histories and cultural heritage of African, Afro-Caribbean and Black peoples
• reflect on centring the history of African, Afro-Caribbean and Black resistance and ways in which African, Afro-Caribbean and Black communities and collectives self-define liberatory tools for resistance and self-identification
• explore what is needed to develop and sustain authentic educational partnerships and relationships with African, Afro-Caribbean and Black learners, home-support partners and communities
• reflect on the metaphorical invisible thread that connects African, Afro-Caribbean and Black communities and identities and the complexities and intersections within African, Afro-Caribbean and Black communities
• explore the importance of cultivating school and classroom environments that focus on enhancing joy, building positive racial identity development and affirming Black learners' experiences and identities

Application Requirements

OCT Membership

Course Materials

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

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Refund Schedule

• If you drop a course by the midpoint of the course, you will receive 100% of your course fee
• If you drop a course after the midpoint, before the end of the course, you will receive 50% of your course fee

For more about our refund policies, visit our Fees & Refunds page.