ADVOCATES PROTEST PDSB NAMING OF BLACK STUDENT CENTRE

THE SURPRISING DECISION TO EXCLUDE THE NAME OF KOLA ILUYOMADE FROM THE CENTRE WAS MADE DESPITE A RECOMMENDATION FROM A PDSB COMMITTEE

A decision by Peel District School Board (PDSB) trustees not to name the Centre for African, AfroCaribbean and Black Student Success after wellknown community activist Kola Iluyomade has sparked anger and protests.

PDSB communication manager Malon Edwards said in a May 24 email that school board trustees passed a motion to name the centre the Centre of Black Excellence.

The issue was presented in a May 3 report to the Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee, according to Edwards.

The surprising decision to exclude the name of Iluyomade from the centre was made despite a recommendation from a steering committee — comprised of Peel staff and members of the Black community — to name the centre after the activist, who passed away in June 2021.

"How are you naming the centre, not allowing the community to have their voice and ignoring the community's wishes?" said Tim Vining, founding member of Mississaugabased Advocacy Peel.

He said the board made a commitment in June 2022 to honour Iluyomade by naming the centre after the community activist who led a charge to dismantle anti-black racism within the Peel board.

The board's reversal on that commitment has made the community feel "betrayed," according to Vining.

Meanwhile, Edwards' email further reads that the decision was made in accordance with a policy of the board that schools cannot be named after individuals. The policy was changed to reflect this stipulation at an April school board meeting.

"This decision was made with consideration to the Naming and Renaming of Schools, Special Function Areas, and Facilities policy," said Edwards. "Section 5.9 of this policy states that proposed schools, special function areas, and facilities names shall not include: Names of identifiable individuals."

According to another member of Advocacy Peel, Idris Orughu, during a community event, the director of education at the PDSB, Rashmi Swarup, verbally promised the centre will be named after Iluyomade.

However, Peel Board chair David Green said there has never been a commitment to name the centre after the activist.

"I was told there were discussions with the supervisor and some staff; however, no promise was made," Green said.

Green also defended the decision regarding naming the centre. "The trustees did nothing wrong but follow board policy," he said.

There was an online petition started by Advocacy Peel, demanding PDSB approve the Kola Iluyomade Centre of Black Excellence as the official name of the Centre of Black Excellence.

As per the petition, Kola Iluyomade was a staunch fighter for Black students and their rights and a fierce advocate in the fight against anti-black racism in education.