New graduation coach for area Black students serves as mentor, advisor

Black history should be taught year-round not just during February’s Black history month, says a graduation coach for area Black students.

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That’s why Tarik Kifle, a graduation coach for Black students in the Thames Valley District school board, is applauding a recent directive from the province to make Black history a mandatory part of the Canadian history curriculum in grades 7, 8 and 10.

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“I think it’s a really great start,” Kifle said. “It’s great to encourage that Black history isn’t just for Black people; it’s Canadian history.

“The fact that our students have an opportunity to learn it is really amazing.”

Kifle, who started in her role last September, said her job is to “mentor, advise and advocate for African, Black and Caribbean students and their families.”

In 2022, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced $4.3 million in funding for the mentorship role across the province “to offer all students access to quality learning environments that are free of discrimination or bias.”

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Kifle, who studied African studies at Carleton University, is centered at Sir Wilfrid Laurier secondary school in London.

Black students “come to me and ask me for something and I’m always there for them,” she said. “Whether it’s a friend to talk to or helping them figure out what to do with their courses, trying to figure out next steps for post secondary, interpersonal relationships or navigating how they identify as a Black individual.

“Whatever they come up with, I try to help the best way I can.”

One of three advisors for the Black student association, established five years ago at Wilfrid Laurier, Kifle said she has been focusing on “building student skills on how to lead peers.

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“As well, we’re figuring out things we can do throughout the year and not just during Black history month such as hosting events and meetings,” she said.

Kifle spoke to The Free Press during Thames Valley’s Black student leadership conference Thursday that brought 200 Black students from secondary schools across the board to its education center for different sessions throughout the day.

“We’re really focused on building leadership capacity and building community within, not only their schools, but also outside their schools,” she said. ”We’re trying to integrate them all together.”

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