Vanessa Stoby @vanessastoby

2026 Gala: The Recap 🕺💃 Nothing short of a star studded night - DJ Love Jones, R&B Singer Tianna & Edge Entertainment. 11 Scholarship winners, Caribbean soul food, its safe to say this year's Gala left its mark. Until Next time. Black Youth Regional Alliance(Formerly BYR Youth)

Big thanks to our incredible scholarship donors. The Black Youth Excellence Gala 2026 would not be possible without the generosity, commitment & belief of our scholarship donors: Jim Archer-Shee, Graham Haley @YorkOECTA, @cityofmarkham, Nicole Baxter & Maggie Periton.

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Students notice. They notice when classes are too crowded. They notice when there aren't enough teachers and education workers. And they notice when it's harder to get the help and attention they need. New national research found that: 📚 76% of students say large classes make learning harder 👥 56% say there aren't enough education workers & support staff 🏫 48% say there are too many students in their classroom In Ontario, these challenges aren't getting better under this government. They're getting worse. As bargaining continues, #OSSTF will keep fighting for the resources and supports students need and the working conditions teachers and education workers deserve. Full survey results: bit.ly/4vxsV19 #OntEd #OnPoli

🌈 Ever wonder what goes on #BehindTheScenes of PRIDE? OSSTF/FEESO is excited to share a closer look at the ideas, conversations, learning, planning, and mobilization that help bring PRIDE to life. From fostering inclusive spaces to amplifying 2SLGBTQIA+ voices, there's meaningful work happening every step of the way. Join us as we highlight the people, purpose, and passion behind PRIDE—and celebrate the ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging in our schools, workplaces, and communities. Check it out here ➡️ youtube.com/shorts/7_4COYJ… #PrideMonth #BehindTheScenes #OSSTF #FEESO #2SLGBTQIA #Inclusion #Equity #Solidarity #PublicEducation

June is one of the most significant months of the year for Indigenous communities. June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and provides us with the opportunity to celebrate Indigenous cultures, languages, knowledge, and achievements while reflecting on the histories that continue to shape our communities today. Many of the cultural practices we celebrate like beading, drumming, and singing survived because generations of Indigenous people protected and carried them forward despite attempts to erase them. We encourage our members to participate in local events, celebrations, and learning opportunities that recognize the diverse cultures and contributions of Indigenous communities. For more information ➡️bit.ly/4gm69UY

Education Forum goes digital! The digital edition of #EducationForum is officially launched and our first feature is of Pat Wright - a trailblazing educator, equity leader, and union pioneer. She was the first Black elected official to the OSSTF/FEESO Provincial Executive, representing members nationally and internationally. Pat's poem creates space for reflection, emotion, and meaning, especially when conversations about censorship feel charged or complex. This piece invites readers to pause, reflect, and engage before moving into analysis and debate. Stay tuned on our social media for more phenomenal #EducationForum articles and features and also visit education-forum.ca

Let's come together to celebrate the diversity, courage, and resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and raise political awareness of current issues they face. Please support and take part in events taking place in Ontario bit.ly/4nYNWPb/ #PRIDE2026 #Fierté2026

FAA becomes the FIRST CANADIAN EVER to reach the Quarter-final Round in each Grand Slam! 😱🇨🇦 • Australian Open • Roland-Garros • Wimbledon • US Open

June is National Indigenous History Month. This is a time for people in Canada to come together and celebrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples; a time to reflect on, listen and learn from the diverse experiences and knowledge of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and recognize their contributions - past and present. For many Canadians, the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada was, and in some cases still is - unknown due to a history of colonization. We use this month as a time to reflect on the past and look to the future. Together we can amplify the voices and strengths of Indigenous youth, leaders and communities by highlighting their contributions and showing up to affirm calls for change. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4fcsnIC #NIHM2026

A new report from the @ccpa reveals that Ontario’s education funding shortfall has continued to grow, reaching $6.4 billion since 2018. The outcomes of these cuts have been: ➡️increased waitlists for special education supports ➡️under resourced classrooms ➡️aging infrastructure ➡️no reduction in class sizes ➡️anti-racism programs and additional supports for students from lower-income are eliminated We can't fix schools without funding them. Check out the full article ➡️ bit.ly/4uOIgJM

Will you remember the time? From an exclusive Carribbean cuisine buffet to a fashion show led by Black youth designers. You're not going to want to miss our 2nd Annual Black Youth Excellence Gala! 📅 Friday, May 29, 2026 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM byryouth.ca/black-youth-ga…

NEW: Ontario’s opposition party is calling on the Ford government to fire its newly-appointed school supervisor in Peel Region, after an email was mistakenly distributed identifying teachers at risk of layoffs. Watch the heated question period exchange here:

NEW: Government-supervised school board mistakenly distributes email identifying teachers at risk of layoffs, raising serious privacy concerns & prompting Ontario's privacy watchdog to look into the incident. My first official byline with @Thetrilliumca: thetrillium.ca/insider-news/e…

Today is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, also known as Red Dress Day. We honour those who are missing and those whose lives were taken, and we stand with their families, loved ones, and communities. This crisis is ongoing and rooted in colonial violence, racism, and misogyny. Awareness is not enough. Wear red. Learn the truth. Support Indigenous-led organizations. Demand justice and real, sustained action from all levels of government.

Looking to secure some funding for your future? 🎓 Our 2nd Annual Black Youth Excellence Gala is back & we are officially accepting scholarship applications! There are 11 scholarships available: trades, business, needs based, education & much more. #Blackexcellence #classof2026

Canadian sports broadcasting icon Vic Rauter signs off for one last time. After nearly 41 years with TSN, the #WMCC Gold Medal Game was Vic's final broadcast. Thank you, @TSNVicRauter 🥹❤️

Good Morning! Hands UP if we want access to @fordnation personal cell phone records more than pepper spray! 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 The distractions are not working. #onpoli

Gender equality can only be achieved if #AllWomen and girls are included. This means #LGBTIQ+ women too! Your voice is your power – raise it! Together, we can create a truly free and equal world for all. #IWD2026 @UN_Women

✊🏼 Stand up ✊ Speak up ✊🏿 Show up Women are being targeted, abused and erased. On International Women's Day, we are defending rights, demanding justice and taking action. #ForAllWomenAndGirls, we’ll never back down. 🔗 unwo.men/8mOM50YqGZU #IWD2026

We're back by popular demand. Our 2nd annual Black Youth Excellence Gala ✨ 🎓 Scholarship opportunities for post-secondary education & beyond 🎨 Showcasing Black youth artists & fashion designers 🎶 @itsdjlovejones 🍽 Dinner, dancing & grab bags byryouth.ca #BHM