Supporting our local community: Freedom Schools via Black Lives Matter Toronto
FREEDOMSCHOOL – Toronto is a youth and parent-driven initiative that intervenes to fight against anti-Black racism in the school system and to create educational alternatives for Black children.
The school runs several programs throughout the year, consisting of:
a three-week program designed to teach children aged four to twelve, queer-positive Black Canadian and diasporic history and resistance to anti-Black racism,
a Saturday school program,
curriculum fairs,
students conference,
and training programs to engage youth in Black liberatory education.
Children from the Freedom School, sitting on stone stairs outdoors. Photo Source: Freedom School Toronto
Along with their work centred around education, the organization also researches Black liberatory education and builds campaigns that encourage systemic change.
FreedomSchool’s programs are designed to teach children about Black Canadian and diasporic histories of resistance and to engage children in political opposition to anti-Black racism and state violence through a trans-feminist lens.
The alternative school is built on teaching children that “your Black life matters and you must demonstrate to your peers that their Black lives matter by protecting their dignity.”
Some critical parts of the FreedomSchool curriculum include:
The Movement for Black lives,
Marie Joseph Angelique,
Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall Riots,
The Memphis garbage strikes,
Nanny Maroon and the Maroons in Canada,
The Bussa Revolution in Barbados,
The Haitian Revolution, and
Soweto Uprisings.
These topics are engaged through child-friendly resources like claymation and video animation.
FreedomSchool Toronto is part of Black Lives Matter TO, founded in 2014 by activists Janaya khan and Yusra Khogali. The co-founders opened up the Toronto chapter of BLM following the police shooting of Jermaine Carby.
Why FreedomSchool?
We believe that impactful change starts at home, in our communities. As a Toronto-based startup, Crescendo has decided to work with FreedomSchool Toronto to help Black parents in our home city provide their children with an education that promotes a curriculum of self-love and a passion for justice and liberation.
FreedomSchool’s mandate and work are key to continuing anti-racist work throughout the community, and vital to promoting long-lasting change.
Links and Resources
Get in contact with Freedom School TO