Black student unions raise Surrey youth voices during & after Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and as the district recognizes the historical contributions of Black Canadians, numerous secondary schools are establishing Black student unions to give Black youth a voice in their school communities.

With the help of the district’s Racial Equity department, six secondary schools have started Black student unions. The groups provide students an opportunity to discuss issues, share lived experiences and meet other Black students who they might not have classes with.

Dora Adjei, a student at Sullivan Heights Secondary, co-founded the Black student union at her school. (Photo by Jacob Zinn/Surrey Schools)“I’ve been here since Grade 8 and I haven’t seen many Black students in our school, so this wasn’t really something I thought about,” said Grade 12 Sullivan Heights Secondary student Dora Adjei, who co-founded the school’s Black student union. “Then last year, I went to the antiracism symposium and I saw some schools coming in with Black student unions and I thought, ‘Wow, I didn’t know there were this many Black students in Surrey.’”

“This year, I noticed more Black students coming in to the school and I really wanted to start something for them because I never got that chance and I wanted them to feel included. My little cousin is coming here – her school doesn’t have many Black students, but when she comes here, she’ll be able to get to know other people.”

Established earlier this school year, the union began with four students and is growing as word gets around the school. The group has a strong focus on mentorship and affecting positive change for Black students.

“We’re planning on making it a place where Black kids can come and hang out, talk to other friends, and the seniors can help the younger ones – they can have someone to go to if they need anything,” said Adjei. “With students who want to join, we ask them, what do you want to see change for Black students at your school, what do you want to see happen in the Black student union and how do you think we can achieve that?”

In addition to helping new secondary students get adjusted, the Sullivan Heights Black student union is also participating in workshops for Grade 6 and 7 students at feeder elementary schools, starting with a visit to nearby McLeod Road Traditional. Adjei said it’s important for the older elementary students to understand the issues experienced by racialized students, both in how they can teach younger students about racial equity and antiracism, and in how they carry themselves into secondary school.

“I have seen younger kids do things that aren’t right, and I don’t want them to do things that could put them on the wrong path,” she said. “I want the Black student union to be a safe space for all these younger kids so they can feel comfortable and make it welcoming for others.

“I really hope they can help encourage a change of mindset – if I have younger boys and girls who I can talk to and educate on these issues, I think it could make everything so much better.”