Canadian Black Education National Network
A national movement for Black student success

Building the infrastructure Black students have always deserved.

Across Canada, educators, families and communities have been doing transformational work—often in isolation. CBENN is connecting that work into a national network built around one shared responsibility: Black student success.

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Community-led Nationally coordinated Student-centred

Canadian network

One movement. Shared purpose.

Connecting Black students and the communities invested in their success through shared learning, national initiatives and meaningful opportunities to participate.

Connect Equip Convene Create pathways
9 Pillars
4 Initiatives
CA National

Education

Resources, pathways and shared learning.

Community

Families, educators and leaders together.

Federally Incorporated

Built for sustained national impact.

Nationally Committed

Connecting regions, schools and communities.

Building Now

The network and digital hub are taking shape.

Our Story

How CBENN began

CBENN grew from honest conversations among Black educators about what was happening to Black students across Canada—and what could become possible if communities built together nationally.

Black student success belongs to all of us—families, educators and community.

2023

The conversations begin

Black educators from regions across the country began discussing push-out, dropout, underperformance and the structural gaps affecting Black Canadian students.

2024

A national network is born

In May 2024, educators gathered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Canadian Black Education National Network was born from a commitment to move from isolated effort to coordinated national action.

NOW

Building for the whole community

Founded by educators, CBENN has always been intended for students, families, faith communities, businesses, mentors, funders and every person invested in Black student success.

Why CBENN Exists

When barriers are structural, action must be collective.

Individual excellence matters, but lasting change requires national infrastructure: people connected, resources shared, opportunities coordinated and communities able to act together.

What We Know to be True
01

Persistent push-out and dropout

Black students continue to face patterns that limit access, participation and long-term educational success.

02

Systemic school barriers

Curriculum, discipline practices and institutional structures can consistently disadvantage Black youth.

03

Fragmented regional effort

Strong local work rarely compounds nationally when groups lack shared infrastructure and coordination.

04

Limited cultural reflection

Students need culturally grounded support and learning environments that recognize their identities as assets.

05

Pathways beyond the classroom

Schools alone cannot provide every mentor, career pathway, opportunity and model of excellence that Black students deserve. The wider community must be connected to the work.

Our Foundation

Mission, vision and goals

A clear national mandate grounded in community responsibility, coordinated action and the full potential of Black students.

Mission

Ensure Black student success across Canada.

We will achieve this through a national network built by and for Black communities united around a common goal: the success of Black students across Canada.

Vision

Every student can see and pursue their purpose.

We envision a Canada where Black students understand what success requires, identify paths aligned with their purpose, and learn in environments that respect their identities, cultures and African-centred perspectives.

Goals

Turn collective effort into national impact.

CBENN connects people, shares resources, coordinates opportunities and builds infrastructure so that effective work is easier to find, strengthen and scale.

What We're Building

Our Nine Pillar Foundation

Black students success requires meaningful educational opportunities within and beyond the formal education system.

01

Media Literacy

Digital literacy, content creation and critical analysis so students can understand the power of media and shape their own narratives.

02

Financial Literacy & Collective Economics

Financial education, cooperative economics and community ownership that create and strengthen long-term economic power.

03

Entrepreneurship

Cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset and practical skills that allow Black students to pursue business creation opportunities.

04

Civic Literacy & Engagement

Preparing Black students to actively engage in the governing systems that shape their lives and the tools required for informed, collective participation.

05

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition, spirituality, physical wellness, mental health and the whole-person foundation for sustained success.

06

Mentorship

Near-peer, professional and cross-generational relationships that reveal possibility and open doors.

07

STEM & Emerging AI

Ensuring meaningful access to (and representation in) the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and emerging artificial intelligence.

08

Arts & Culture

African and African diasporic traditions through visual and performing arts, carnival arts and cultural identity as curriculum and power.

09

Industry and the Skilled Trades

Mentorship and accessible pathways into front line skilled careers as well as corporate and operations ecosystems.

Signature Initiatives

National ideas becoming practical infrastructure

Programs designed to connect students, educators, mentors and communities across institutional and provincial boundaries.

Building now The Foundation

BSA National Network Initiative

Black Student Associations across Canada (from colleges and universities to public schools) are doing vital work in isolation. They are navigating provincial silos and facing institutional barriers that restrict authentic organizing. The goal of our BSA National Network Initiative is to help connect Black Student Associations (at the different levels) into a coordinated national network with shared resources, mentorship pipelines, and a protected digital space for authentic organizing free from institutional barriers.

CBENN intends to provide a national digital hub connecting Black students, community members and everyone else invested in Black student success.

Shared resources Mentorship pipelines Student connection
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IN DEVELOPMENT FOR 202701

National Black Student Leadership Conference

A platform built for Black youth to connect with mentors, entrepreneurs, tradespeople and community leaders—and to develop their own leadership.

Get updates →
Coming nationally02

National Black Education Conference

An annual national gathering for educators, researchers, parents, mentors, leaders and advocates to share strategies and align around a common agenda.

Stay informed →
Coming soon03

National Black Basketball Initiative

More than a tournament: a national gathering point where sport advances discipline, belonging, mentorship, leadership and educational engagement.

Join the interest list →

Get Involved

Be part of what's being built.

CBENN is being shaped in real time. Choose the role that best reflects how you would like to contribute, connect or stay informed.

Students

This network is being built for you. Join early, connect across Canada and help shape what CBENN becomes.

Join the student network →

Educators

You have been doing the work. CBENN is building the national table that can reduce professional isolation and strengthen shared practice.

Join the network →

Community, Faith & Business Leaders

The education of Black students requires the whole community. Help us create strategies that ensure success for Black youth both inside and outside the formal education system.

Partner with us →

Partners & Funders

Your support can accelerate national infrastructure, youth programming, research, convening and digital access.

Discuss partnership →

Parents & Families

You are your child's first educator. This network belongs to families too.

Support the mission →

Let's Connect

Help shape the network.

Whether you are a student, educator, parent, funder, faith leader, business owner or community builder, CBENN wants to hear from you.

Direct contact

info@cbenn.net

Canadian Black Education National Network
Serving communities across Canada

For individuals

Join, volunteer, mentor or request updates.

For organizations

Explore partnership, sponsorship or collaboration.

Areas of interest
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Form submissions are sent to info@cbenn.net.