Surrey students share what Black Excellence Day means to them – Peace Arch News

Published 3:30 pm Thursday, January 15, 2026
By Grace McLeod
Tumininu Seriki, Eyoel Andargachew and Anu Oyewo from Johnston Heights Secondary School are a part of the Black Excellence Day video that went province wide on Jan. 15. (Surrey Schools/Contributed to Peace Arch News)
Surrey Schools is supporting Black Excellence Day today (Jan. 15).
Black Excellence Day is a movement recognizing Black history, stories, art and people, as well as encouraging education and dialogue on the history of racism and civil rights in Canada.
“Black Excellence Day is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with Black Canadians and honour the rich history, contributions, achievements, resilience and joy of Black people,” says J.B. Mahli, director of instruction for racial equity.
“We continue to celebrate Black excellence in our students and staff by raising their voices today and year-round through culturally responsive initiatives in our ongoing pursuit of racial equity,” Mahli shares.
Surrey Schools says that this day is recognized every Jan. 15 and coincides with the birthday of American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“This is reserved to promote racial inclusivity, highlight inequality and acknowledge the ongoing civil rights struggle of Black and racialized Canadians,” Surrey Schools explains. They also say that the day itself is a chance to show support by wearing the colour black.
This year, students from Johnston Heights Secondary school were asked to define Black excellence in a video that was shared provincewide in a live virtual Black Excellence Day event, hosted by the Ninandotoo Anti- Racism Society and the Burnaby School District.
This video also included elementary student voices from Mountainview Montessori.
Some of the responses in the video made by the students at Johnston Heights are as follows:
• “It’s important to celebrate Black excellence because it counteracts stereotypes that we find a lot in our communities and can inspire people to do better in the community. Overall, Black excellence just makes the community a better place and educates people on what real Black excellence is.” – Eyoel Andargachew, Grade 11.
• “Black excellence celebrates Black achievement, creativity and leadership, and highlights the strengths and resilience of Black people who continue to rise and inspire. It honours our past, celebrates our present and empowers our future. It reminds us that Black voices and talents help shape our society.” – Tumininu Seriki, Grade 11.
• “Black excellence is the perseverance to overcome systematic obstacles, and not just to overcome those systematic obstacles, but excel. We celebrate Black excellence to recognize those who embody actual Black excellence and commend them for their resilience and diligence to exceed expectations.” – Josh Babunga, Grade 9
• “Black excellence to me is the fact that Black people should be able to hold their heads up and to be proud of their heritage. Why should Black people feel different or feel weird just because of their skin colour? Everyone is human and everyone bleeds the same. Black people should be celebrated because they are human and their life is important, as well as every other life out there.” – Anu Oyewo, Grade 10
• “Black excellence to me is a representation of resilience and a fight for the black culture throughout the century, and even recently, we fight for it because of structured racism.” – Superior Akinadewo, Grade 11
Today, thousands of Surrey and White Rock students from nearly every school in the district joined others from the province in the live virtual Black Excellence Day event that took place via Zoom at 10 a.m.
Surrey Schools says the event featured Johnston Heights Secondary’s video along with a presentation and discussions on the contributions of Black Canadians and their ongoing civil rights struggle.
A link to the video can be found here.