George Brown College (GBC) has a longstanding and valued relationship with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), particularly through our collaborative work with the Community Partnerships and Learning Services (CPLS) and the Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment Training (CCET). These partnerships have provided countless learners with access to education, skills training, and career pathways that align with our mission of building inclusive, responsive, and forward-thinking learning environments.
As part of our continued commitment to equity and excellence, we are pleased to announce an exciting new opportunity that builds upon this strong foundation to advance accessibility to educational institutions and the pursuit of students' educational goals across communities.
The Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP), hosted by the TDSB's Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, is a paid summer internship and leadership initiative that supports Black students in Grades 10 to 12. Through a dynamic model grounded in Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), experiential learning, and mentorship, the BSSLP nurtures future leaders and changemakers in our communities.
Funded by the Focus on Youth Toronto (FOYT) initiative, the BSSLP provides full support for staffing, student wages, transportation subsidies, and core program materials. For 2025, GBC is proud to have expressed affirmative interest in serving as the host institution for up to 200 Black Student Leaders.
From July 2 to August 15, 2025, students will be welcomed at our St. James Campus, where they will engage in practicum placements across the city, including right here at GBC. They will also benefit from a series of tailored professional development opportunities, culminating in a public five-day Summer Research Symposium, where students will present their original research and creative work to the broader community.
This initiative is a meaningful extension of our commitment to supporting educational access, student leadership, and pathways to post-secondary success for Black youth. It also presents GBC with a unique opportunity to continue building bridges between secondary and post-secondary education through action, mentorship, and community-driven research.
At George Brown College, we look forward to working closely with the TDSB and our internal partners to ensure a transformative and empowering experience for all participating students.
