Throughout February, students and staff at Downsview Secondary School engaged in enriching experiences celebrating Black history, culture, and contributions.
Honouring Black Community Leaders with the TTC’s ‘City of Belonging’ Initiative
On Monday, February 24, DSS partnered with the TTC to bring the "City of Belonging" Black History Month initiative to the school. As part of this program, a specially wrapped TTC bus featuring Black community leaders was stationed at the school for the morning, giving students an opportunity to explore and learn about the contributions of African Canadians.
Among those honoured was the late Louis March, a dedicated advocate for ending gun violence and the founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement in Toronto. Louis had strong ties to schools in the Jane and Finch community, including Downsview SS and Westview Centennial SS. His legacy of activism and advocacy continues to inspire the next generation.
Students also had the opportunity to engage with TDSB alumni Amoy Wynter, now a Consultant with the TTC’s Diversity Department, and Jamera Dacosta, an artist with AstroSankofa Arts. They shared insights into this year’s TTC projects and the meaningful symbolism behind the artwork displayed on the bus.
While Black History Month has concluded, the conversations and learning from these events continue to shape and enrich the DSS school community, who remains committed to fostering an inclusive and reflective educational environment throughout the entire school year.
West African Blues Comes to Downsview SS
On Friday, February 21, in partnership with the Aga Khan Museum, students were treated to the soul-stirring rhythms of Samba Touré and his band from Mali. In his first-ever Canadian performance, Touré brought the heart of West African blues to life, blending storytelling with musical traditions that span generations.
The performance began with a discussion about traditional instruments, introducing students to the calabash, a key percussion instrument in Malian music. Samba Touré was joined on stage by Soulemane Kane on the calabash and Djieme Sissoko on the talking drum (Tama) and electric ngoni. Together, they provided an unforgettable experience for the students and staff as part of the African Heritage Month events at DSS, and they extend their heartfelt thanks to the Aga Khan Museum for making this amazing event possible.
