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Summer is popularly imagined as bringing joy to all young people. Yet it is not an equal break or of the same quality for all students.

is the decline in academic skills and knowledge that can occur when students are not engaged in structured learning, especially during extended breaks like summer.

who face .

Black families face challenges in accessing culturally relevant and affirming summer opportunities. As work by and others has documented, for many Black families, the question isn't just "what will my child do this summer?" It's also "where can my child go to be safe, affirmed and supported?"

, many students fall behind in reading and math, further widening the opportunity gap when school resumes in September.

As the manager of research with the charitable, Black-led non-profit organization in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto, I share insights about how culturally responsive community programs can address opportunity gaps and how parents in Black families can support their kids' successful transition back to school.

This article draws on insights from conversations I have had with various YAAACE program participants, parents and educators, as well as the leadership of the organization, including Devon Jones, Dave Mitchell and Nene.

Anti-Black racism in education

Despite Canada's reputation for multiculturalism, remains , contributing to unequal opportunities for students.

The refers to the unequal access to resources, supports and learning experiences that affect students' ability to succeed, often based on race, income and geography.

In March 2025, the Ontario Human Rights Commission released the report "."

The findings confirmed that . These : disproportionate discipline; being streamed into non-academic tracks; lack of Black leadership in schools; ; insufficient disaggregated identity-based data collection; and lack of access to culturally affirming environments.

The cost is devastating and contributes to and the .

This is particularly .

Centering Black excellence

Black youth often face higher and .

While these experiences shape the mental health and academic outcomes of students, schools often lack culturally relevant supports or .

Summer programs are one important part of countering anti-Black racism in schools. These can support student transitions by mitigating learning loss and helping to close the opportunity gap.

Programs that center and led by staff with lived experiences provide culturally responsive and emotionally supportive environments that affirm Black identities.

This and ensures students return to school in the fall better prepared to thrive academically, socially, emotionally and culturally.

Community-driven youth programs

Since 2007, YAAACE has provided academic, athletic, family supports, employment and mentorship to . Its programs are and understand like the Jane and Finch neighborhood.

YAAACE's seven-week a model that affirms identity, cultivates belonging and accelerates achievement. Each summer, approximately 300 students from grades 3 through 12 attend the institute, which blends literacy and numeracy instruction with culturally responsive learning, arts-based programming, robotics, mentorship and athletics.

and supported by Black staff and practitioners trained in trauma-informed care. For families who can't afford camp fees, the program is free or subsidized.

by creating access to experiential learning opportunities. It's also that builds character and supports students, with a focus on the early years.

Cycle of empowerment

YAAACE's Inspire Academy Mathematics Program provides early access to high school math courses. Grade 8 graduates earn a high school math credit through an intensive summer course led by a team of teachers and teacher assistants in a supportive, inclusive environment. In cases where students are behind provincial standards, they receive additional supports with low staff-to-student ratios.

Based on assessments administered by the teachers and reports provided to all the parents, students leave the institute . Families report knowing their children are in safer, affirming spaces.

Many of YAAACE's youth return as peer leaders and mentors, .

Programs like YAAACE do not just help kids do better in school. They also reduce before they escalate.

Tips for parents

Summer is a crucial time to support children's learning and well-being, especially for Black families navigating systems that often overlook their strengths.

Below are three practical ways to support your child during the summer break and when school starts in September:

Center empowering examples of Black identity and culture: Expose your children to . Affirming cultural roots builds pride, resilience and a sense of belonging in systems that too often erase or distort those narratives from stereotypical perspectives.

Create routines that balance learning and Black joy: Set daily routines that include reading, writing or problem solving but make the same amount of space for rest, play, creativity and movement rooted in Black joy. Learning should be holistic and joyful. It's important as parents, guardians and community leaders that we not only talk about this but more importantly model it.

Stay engaged and be an advocate: Get to know your child's teachers and school administrators, (for example, getting accommodations for your child's needs) and request culturally affirming resources. Don't hesitate to raise concerns, as your advocacy helps create more supportive learning environments and shows your child that their success is worth fighting for.

Partnerships with Black-led organizations

must become a system-wide standard.

This becomes a reality by building long-term partnerships with Black-led community organizations. It means embedding mental health supports and . And it means progress and guide informed decision-making.

It starts by funding proven data-driven programs, training educators .

This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .