PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Peel District School Board Partners with Hello Hair to Celebrate Black History Month through Science, Innovation, and Storytelling

Peel District School Board (PDSB), in partnership with Swiirl, a community engagement platform, and Hello Hair, a leading natural haircare brand founded by Black entrepreneur Anita Grant, is proud to announce "Celebrating Our Roots", a flagship Black History Month event taking place on Saturday, February 7 at The Centre of Black Excellence in Brampton.

Moving beyond traditional assemblies, this immersive event is designed to connect cultural heritage with tangible skills in science, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being. By partnering with a high-growth, Black-founded venture, PDSB is providing students and families with a unique opportunity to explore the intersections of identity and economic innovation.

This initiative directly supports PDSB's commitment to Student Agency and Community Engagement by offering programming that:

• Connects Culture to Curriculum: Through "The Clinic," students will engage in hands-on labs learning the chemical science of hair porosity and ingredients.
• Fosters Intergenerational Connection: A live podcast studio, powered by Swiirl, will capture authentic conversations between students and elders regarding identity and mental health.
• Celebrates History & Innovation: Workshops will trace the history of haircare from pre-colonial traditions to modern-day entrepreneurship.

"This partnership represents the future of community engagement in our schools," said Atheia Grant, Superintendent of Equity, Indigenous Education & Community Engagement "By bringing real-world innovators like Hello Hair into our learning spaces, we are showing students that their lived experiences and cultural identities are not just celebrated they are the foundation for scientific inquiry and economic success."

"Hair is one of the first places we learn who we are and whether we belong," said Anita Grant, Founder & CEO of Hello Hair. "When young people understand the science behind their hair, the history it holds and the possibilities it opens, their belief system begins to shift. Celebrating Our Roots is about expanding what young people imagine for themselves and planting the belief early, their roots are strong and their growth is limitless."

Kay Boamah, Co-Founder of Swiirl, added: "Innovation starts with listening. By utilizing Swiirl's platform to facilitate the Student Voices' podcast station, we are ensuring that the insights, stories, and mental health experiences of Black youth are not just heard but centred in the conversation about their own future."