Black Excellence Mural makes a splash at GL Roberts

Students at GL Roberts CVI in Oshawa unveiled their Black Excellence Mural earlier this school year in an effort to encourage and educate both Black and non-Black students, staff, and school visitors.

Students came together with the Principal last year to share and shape their ideas of how they could better represent each other in the school. Senior students from the Black Students’ Association helped to refine the thoughts and brainstorming process into what has become a stunning mural currently displayed in the school.

“We had a lot of support from the Black Graduation Coach and others in the school,” says Kimona Brown, a Grade 12 student at GL Roberts who was very supportive and involved in the project.

Adds Grade 12 student Scharla Green, “We decided to use figures that are awesome and that people look up to because they represent excellence. We wanted to use people that inspired others.”

Kevaun Clearly, who was also involved in the project, said the process was inspiring and helpful to him as a new student to the school last year. Bonding with other students through the Black Students’ Association to develop the mural and choose the figures helped him develop leadership skills and to lead younger black students, similar to when he first came to GL Roberts.

“Being a part of the Black Students’ Association has allowed me to be more social because I'm not really a social person,” says Kevaun. “The process has led me to be heard by others and show that we can be as outstanding as anyone else and be excellent.”

Some students like Devonte Hall and Cherish Otono, who were also a part of the process, say students – Black and otherwise – sometimes struggle to understand the mural. However, the questions they ask present an opportunity to talk and explain the value and importance of the individuals in the mural.

A champion of the project, GL Roberts Principal Dawn White is encouraged by what she sees.

“As a school community we value student identity and student voice. We wanted the Black Students’ Association to design and create a mural that celebrates Black Excellence and represents what they believe to be excellence in the Black community,” says Principal White. “Our hope is that each and everyday Black students will walk through the school and know that their identity is welcomed and treasured in our school."

The mural depicts current and historical African, African-Canadian, African-American, African-Caribbean, and Afro-Latina Muslim figures, including Andre de Grasse, Rosemary Brown, Josephine Baker, Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman, Anthony Lue, Ginella Massa, Jackie Robinson, Viola Desmond, Lincoln Alexander, Usain Bolt, Jean Augustine, and Sojourner Truth.