Who We Are
Our Story
In 2020, with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations launched the Racial Equity and Education Initiative in partnership with four dynamic organizations: the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA), the Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE), the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNCTO), and the Tamil Canadian Centre for Civic Action (TCA).
The initiative was originally envisioned as a two-year effort to lay the groundwork for systemic change in Ontario’s education system. During this time, the team focused on building relationships with racialized communities, amplifying the work of grassroots organizers, and fostering collaboration with new advocates eager to make a difference. The goal was clear: to equip parents and students with the tools, training, and advocacy skills necessary to push for meaningful policy changes at both regional school boards and the provincial level.
Thanks to the initiative’s early successes and the deep impact it had within communities, the project was extended to a five-year commitment. Now in its final year of funding, the initiative is growing into what is now Anti-Racism Education Ontario, continuing to empower voices, advocate for racial equity, and drive lasting change in Ontario’s education system.
Anti-Racism Education Ontario is an ongoing project dedicated to mobilizing community, advancing policy, and promoting systemic change in Ontario education.
Key Achievements and Impact
Over the years, the Racial Equity and Education Initiative has made a profound impact on communities across Ontario, working closely with our partner organizations to create lasting change.
Anti-Islamophobia Strategy
The Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) worked to develop an anti-Islamophobia strategy in partnership with school boards.
This initiative achieved a milestone when the Peel District School Board became the first in Canada to adopt the strategy, followed by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Currently, the Durham District School Board (DDSB) is actively working on its implementation.
This project has significantly contributed to creating safe(r) and inclusive spaces for Muslim students, parents, and staff, while also addressing injustices faced by others within the school system.
Addressing Anti-Asian Racism
The Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNCTO) has been instrumental in supporting Chinese families through workshops that provide critical resources, translation support, and guidance to navigate the school system more effectively. These efforts have not only equipped parents with the tools to advocate for their children’s education but have also created opportunities for youth to reconnect with their culture, build leadership skills, and strengthen community ties.
Participants have described their experiences with CCNCTO as transformative, fostering intergenerational dialogue, raising awareness of social issues, and empowering them to become active leaders and advocates for change.
Dismantling Anti-Black Racism
Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE) has made meaningful progress in addressing anti-Black racism in Ontario’s school boards. Through community engagement, including forums, workshops, and training sessions with the Black Parent Student Initiative, ONABSE empowered participants with advocacy tools and collected crucial feedback on systemic challenges.
Additionally, their assessment of school board practices provided insights into how anti-Black racism is tracked, resourced, and addressed.
These efforts culminated in a comprehensive report, highlighting progress and areas for improvement, and ongoing advocacy, including an open letter to the Ministry of Education, aimed to drive systemic change.
Tamil Genocide Education and Equity
Tamil Canadian Centre for Civic Action (TCA) has engaged Tamil youth and parents in meaningful dialogue, creating spaces for community-building, sharing experiences, and equipping them with tools to advocate for systemic changes within education.
By advocating for trauma-informed Tamil Genocide Education in schools and organizing learning and networking opportunities by-and-for the Tamil community, the TCA works to create more access to supportive, identity-affirming, safe(r) spaces and learning environments for Tamil youth.
Behind Our Initiative
About the Urban Alliance on Race Relations
Formed in 1975 by a group of concerned Toronto citizens, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to addressing racism in society. UARR works proactively with the community, as well as the public and private sectors, to deliver educational programs and conduct research aimed at promoting racial equity. Through its initiatives, UARR strives to create a more inclusive society by fostering understanding and dismantling systemic racism.
Our Core Partners
Council of Agencies Serving South Asians
The Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) is an umbrella organization representing agencies, groups, and individuals providing services to the South Asian community.
CASSA envisions a Canada free from all forms of discrimination, where all communities are empowered to fully participate in shaping the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural future. CASSA facilitates the economic, social, political, and cultural empowerment of South Asians by serving as a resource for information, research, mobilization, service delivery coordination, and leadership on social justice issues affecting the community.
Their work is driven by core values, including a commitment to social justice, equity, and empowerment for marginalized groups. They believe in the importance of diversity and respect for the various South Asian communities, and they integrate anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-homophobia principles into all of their initiatives. Through collaboration and solidarity, they build alliances with Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) to work toward collective goals.
Chinese Canadian National Council – Toronto Chapter
The Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNC-TO) serves Chinese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area, focusing on marginalized groups. They address grassroots concerns through community programs and leadership development, while collaborating with other local Chinese Canadian organizations.
CCNC-TO advocates for civil rights and race relations by fighting negative stereotyping and institutional racism, and by organizing educational and advocacy events. They also promote political participation within the community, encouraging engagement in public policy and decision-making.
The organization offers cultural and social activities, including heritage festivals and historical research, while providing resources and educational opportunities to support community empowerment.
Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE)
The Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE) is a non-profit organization committed to advancing the education of all students, with a particular focus on African-Canadian students. ONABSE creates a coalition of Afro-Canadian educators and stakeholders involved in education across Ontario.
The organization engages in numerous initiatives that support the African-Canadian community, including community outreach, advocacy, and policy development in collaboration with various partners. ONABSE also hosts an annual conference and works closely with educational stakeholders to shape policies that positively impact African-Canadian students in the education system.
Tamil Canadian Centre for Civic Action (TCA)
The Tamil Canadian Centre for Civic Action (TCA) is dedicated to advancing the success of Tamil Canadians in all aspects of Canadian society, including the social, political, economic, and cultural spheres. Their work is focused on education, documentation, engagement, training, mobilization, research, policy change, and collaboration.
TCA’s initiatives span across various areas, including education and training, economic development, workers’ rights, Tamil Canadian heritage, health and wellness, gender equity, civic leadership, seniors’ well-being, and human rights. Through these efforts, TCA strives to empower the Tamil community, foster resilience, and contribute to meaningful change both within the community and beyond.
Thank you to our key funder
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous five years of funding. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in enabling us to advance equity in education and empower communities across Ontario.
Thank you for helping us create lasting change.