Anti-Black Racism Town Hall

Anti-Black Racism Town Hall


Watch a full recording of the event. Closed captioning is available.

View the full transcript of the event.

View the Anti-Black Racism Final Report.

On August 6, Durham Region residents were invited to ask questions, listen in, and share stories/ideas about how the Region can address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.

Durham Regional Chair John Henry invited Durham Regional Police Chief Paul Martin to join in the discussion, along with the following Durham residents:

  • Sean Mauricette, Award-winning Motivational Speaker, Artist and Youth Worker (Moderator)
  • Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Consultant and Former Member of Parliament
  • David Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Youth Justice Division of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
  • Ann Marie Morrison, incoming President for the Black Student Success Network, Durham College

Your voice is important

No form of racism is acceptable. Yet, we know that people continue to experience unfair treatment because of the colour of their skin or their cultural background—some more frequently than others. Your advice will allow us to better understand the scope of the situation here in Durham Region; and how Regional programs and policies can help address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.


Watch a full recording of the event. Closed captioning is available.

View the full transcript of the event.

View the Anti-Black Racism Final Report.

On August 6, Durham Region residents were invited to ask questions, listen in, and share stories/ideas about how the Region can address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.

Durham Regional Chair John Henry invited Durham Regional Police Chief Paul Martin to join in the discussion, along with the following Durham residents:

  • Sean Mauricette, Award-winning Motivational Speaker, Artist and Youth Worker (Moderator)
  • Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Consultant and Former Member of Parliament
  • David Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Youth Justice Division of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
  • Ann Marie Morrison, incoming President for the Black Student Success Network, Durham College

Your voice is important

No form of racism is acceptable. Yet, we know that people continue to experience unfair treatment because of the colour of their skin or their cultural background—some more frequently than others. Your advice will allow us to better understand the scope of the situation here in Durham Region; and how Regional programs and policies can help address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.

Share your experience

If you feel comfortable doing so, please share your stories of experiencing anti-Black racism in Durham Region. This will allow us to better understand the scope of the situation here in Durham Region; understanding how Regional programs and policies can help address systemic anti-Black racism in our community. We are listening.

If you would prefer to share your story by email, please send it to DurhamStrong@durham.ca.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Question about the initiatives

    by Sara Mehraban, over 4 years ago

    I have a question for Chief Paul Martin. You mentioned the various initiatives the DRPS is rolling out. What is the collection of race=based information going to lead to? There are already many sources for this information with the statistics publicly published. What will happen with the information and over the course of how long?

  • My Son Didn't Learn How to Read Until Grade 4

    by Enraham, over 4 years ago

    My youngest who has ADHD was consistently removed from kindergarten because the teacher couldn't manage him as he was always busy, on the move, and would become frustrated and angry because he was not being heard and spent 10% of that year in the class, and the remainder at the principle office. The Administration wouldn't step in, no one would help and I'm a parent of 3 and very connected into how to manage in a very complex red tape environment. It was only through my consistent advocacy that my son has a right to education and its his Canadian... Continue reading

  • Response to: BLM - Both sides of the story

    by Karl R. , over 4 years ago

    Hi Concerned Mom,

    Firstly, I'm a 45 year old black man, born and raised in the GTA.

    I think something you, as well as others are confusing (or using as a crutch, or poor counterpoint) is the difference between the "Black Lives Matter" organization vs. the overall movement and statement that BLACK LIVES MATTER. I sure that the vast majority of people who march, wear shirts, chant BLACK LIVES MATTER don't actually belong to the "Black Lives Matter" organization, or necessarily support EVERYTHING that the organization stands for (I've for one have even never visited their website). My point is... Continue reading

  • The comments!?

    by A, over 4 years ago

    When this Anti Black forum was introduced...the comments on FB were disturbing! So many hateful racists comments condemning this forum. People claiming that racism doesn't exist here? It is hurtful and frightening.

  • Unconscious bias towards black people continues and prevalent in the educational system

    by Enraham, over 4 years ago

    My son was an A+ student from grade school right through to high school and I'm an advocate for education and one of two rules I've raised my children to be respectful to all people, environment and property and obtain an education. In grade 5 my son was accused of swearing at a white girl on the school bus, which he didn't do. My babysitter who was watching my daughter at the time immediately believed my son did this including her son without any investigation but listening to a white girl accusing my son of such an incident.

    The father... Continue reading

  • Bi-racial POC and have experienced racism all my life.. .

    by ladyatomica, over 4 years ago

    The notion that Canada is better off than our "neighbors" to the South, or that we simply don't have systematic racism is entirely incorrect. Unfortunately, the current racial tensions have opened the floodgates for emboldened racists to let their ideologies and opinions be known. Loud and clear. In fact, I have not experienced as much overt and not-so-overt racism in my life, as I have since June 2. It is getting worse. White family members, bosses, coworkers, random strangers, all feel that they are entitled to racist behaviors and opinions which are shared out-loud.


    As a bi-racial POC I am... Continue reading

  • Moving in

    by A, over 4 years ago

    Our first day moving into our new home, the neighbors asked my husband if we were just the movers. She was visibly disappointed that we are the new neighbors. A couple months later they moved out.

    Being asked "what are you?" "Where are you from? " " you can't be from around here?"



  • School board

    by Cheryl 1978, over 4 years ago

    Please listen parents are at the end of racism and our kids are losing because teachers don't listen and principals just make it up as the teachers are having a bad day. Racism is real and durham school board needs to be put to the same standards as they vision for all the students. It is that they say it but they don't do it. I cry at night when my six year old tells me they don't like me and the teachers don't care. STAND UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING " BLACK LIVES DO MATTER "

  • Minding my own business

    by Natasha H, over 4 years ago

    I was standing outside of a business in downtown Oshawa and someone drove by shouting all lives matter and gave my friend and I the finger.

  • I saw my privilege

    by SarahB, over 4 years ago

    I was once out in a parking lot with a couple of friends after our sports group ended. One, another white woman like myself, the other a black man. He was showing us his awesome pick up and we sat in the back seat, he in the drivers seat, and we hung out there for a few minutes. As a car pulled in I heard my friend remark that she was going to give us the look. I asked "what look?" And he told me she is going to check to make sure you are not in need of help... Continue reading