HAMILTON-WENTWORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Anti-Black Racism Policy Approved by HWDSB Trustees

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) Trustees approved a comprehensive Anti-Black Racism Policy at the October 3, 2022, Board Meeting. 

The HWDSB Anti-Black Racism policy acknowledges the existence of anti-Black racism and affirms HWDSB's commitment to take a proactive and systemic approach to identify and address anti-Black racism. This important new policy is part of HWDSB's commitment to dismantle structural and institutional anti-Black racism by identifying, preventing, and removing barriers in all HWDSB environments. 

"Research has shown us the impact and consequences of historical and ongoing anti-Black racism on students, and as a Black woman who immigrated to Canada from Jamaica at a young age, I have experienced some of these barriers first-hand," said Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini, Director of Education. "The Anti-Black Racism Policy will help us ensure HWDSB community members understand their roles and responsibilities in identifying and addressing urgent issues that Black students face daily."  

The Anti-Black Racism Policy promotes an approach of targeted universalism to remove systemic barriers experienced by communities most negatively impacted in ways that contribute to the universal goal of achieving educational equity for all students.  

The Human Rights Policy, also approved at the October 3 Board meeting, will serve as an anchor policy under which the Anti-Black Racism Policy will fall. Both policies underwent multiple phases of public consultation, including engagement and listening sessions, surveys, focus group discussions and feedback sessions over the course of the past 12 months. A new HWDSB Procedure and strategy to address anti-Black racism will be developed to support the Anti-Black Racism Policy, using community feedback.  

"We acknowledge the oppression experienced by Black HWDSB students and staff and thank them for bravely sharing their stories during the public consultation sessions," said Board Chair Dawn Danko. "The Anti-Black Racism Policy is an important step in creating a proactive approach to identify and address biases, barriers, discriminatory systemic practices and actions related to anti-Black racism." 

The Anti-Black Racism policy can be found at https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/equity/anti-black-racism-policy/. 

For more information about HWDSB's Human Rights Policy, click here.