top of page

OUR STORY

Image to replace Foliage.jpg

Founded in 2005, the Durham Black Educators Network (DBEN) was created by a group of Black educators who felt the need to develop “Community”. Working as isolated individuals within a large Board, they came together to support and guide each other. As this small group started to grow they saw the challenges Black students faced in the Durham District School Board and they wanted to make a difference.

 

​As a grassroots community organization, DBEN is dedicated to improving the education and well-being of Black students, families, and educators. Over the past 20 years, we’ve developed and launched programs that empower, support, and uplift our community—turning our commitment into action by:

​Enhancing the engagement, empowerment, and excellence of our children, youth, parents/caregivers, staff, and community members. 

Supporting our well-being and pursuit of excellence, 

Interrupting damaging narratives about Black children and youth and our Black culture.


In 2025 DBEN became a non-for-profit organization and is now guided by the rules of The Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)

merge with about us page

- highlight past chairs (4) 

OUR  MISSION STATEMENT

Optimizing the educational experiences and outcomes for students, staff, and families of the Black Diaspora within the Durham District School Board (DDSB)

GUIDED  BY  THE  FOLLOWING  VALUES

  • Black Excellence                     

  • Equity & Anti-Oppression 

  • Cultural Responsiveness 

  • Student Voice 

  • Community Partnership

  • Accountability

  • Wellness & Belonging

  • Responsibility

OUR  IMPACT

image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

  • Developed DDSB's first Black Studies course
     

  • Organized and Implemented a conference for High School Students that has been running for 13 years
     

  • Organized and implemented a conference for elementary students and their families that has been running for 10 years
     

  • Over 350 Student Alumni Leaders from the DBEN Ambassador Leadership Program
     

  • 4+ years of running an Afrocentric Heritage Program
     

  • 45 + collaborative partnerships with organizations within Durham Region, Toronto + GTA
     

  • 15 years of Activating Student Success Awards (no called the Cultivating Possibilities Awards) with 20+ scholarships awarded to support the dreams and goals of our youth
     

  • Collectively mentored and supported 100+ Black staff with employment and employment advancements within the DDSB
     

  • Partnered with DDSB to implement 2 targeted programs and to support Black children, youth, and families with school entry and transition: Great Beginnings with an Afrocentric Focus, The Blue Print Project: Framing Your Future Success
     

  • Over 15K students impacted through DBEN programming

bottom of page