Durham Catholic school board welcomes new Human Rights and Equity Advisor
Published June 8, 2022 at 9:34 am
The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) has hired a new human advisor to ensure “a culture of respect for human rights and equity” in the board.
The DCDSB decided lawyer Kayode Akomolafe was the man for the job. Akomolafe comes fresh from a position on the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission where he worked as Investigator for Systemic Advocacy.
While at this post, Akomolafe worked in social areas of Saskatchewan society to address systemic racism. As such he developed policies, advised employers and worked to resolve case of workplace discrimination, among other responsibilities, per his Linkedin.
Before that Akomolafe worked as a lawyer out of Lagos, Nigeria operating his own practice from 2002 to 2018.
“Mr. Akomolafe has experience leading transformational human rights change and has championed efforts to identify and eliminate systemic barriers,” said the DCDSB.
“Education and increasing our understanding and awareness of equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to building stronger communities that celebrates each individual for their unique talents and gifts,” said Akomolafe, “I am excited and honoured to join the Durham Catholic District School Board.”
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The DCDSB has tasked Akomolafe to “will build, support, and maintain a culture of respect for human rights and equity within the DCDSB. His role will also identify and address systemic organizational and attitudinal barriers based on human rights and equity.”
“I am excited to welcome Mr. Akomolafe to the Durham Catholic District School Board,” said Tracy Barill, Director of Education.
“His expertise and extensive experience in Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion will be a great asset to our Senior Administrative Team as we continue to deepen our commitment to human rights knowledge and awareness that will lead to more equitable and inclusive learning environments for students and staff.”
The board passed a new anti-racism Human Rights police about a month before Akomolafe’s hiring. It read in part “The Board recognizes that any form of overt or covert racism and discrimination is incompatible with Catholic values and is in violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code.”
“The Board recognizes the presence of biases, barriers, and power dynamics that have historically excluded Black and racialized students and staff,” it continued.
Of note, the board amended a previously drafted version of the policy, which defined discrimination as including “sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression.” The adopted policy removes explicit mention of of these categories, but does mention “other personal characteristics.“
However, in a Pride month release the board committed to respecting “2SLGBTQ+ students, family members, staff and community members.”
They said “As Catholics, we are called to love one another. We believe every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and should always be treated with dignity, compassion and respect.” A Pride flags now flies above the Catholic Education Center.
This move was a longtime coming for the Catholic Board, kicked off by Mark Hall’s 2002 lawsuit to dance with his then-boyfriend at prom.
The adopted policy also removed references to microaggressions and to white supremacy.
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