For Daniel, the issue is two-fold. First, Black students are steered into fields they do not enjoy or that do not align with job prospects, leaving them burdened with student loans while only able to secure low-paying jobs.  While STEM fields might be the most promising, he encourages students to excel whatever their chosen fields, and to view education as a path to knowledge and not as a burden. More importantly, Black students suffer the emotional toll of systemic racism and not fitting in, leading some to substance abuse, or to contemplate suicide.  He emphasizes the importance of building resilience in Black children so that they can turn their negative experiences into sources of strength that will drive success.

For Daniel, Black students need role models—not so much as professional models, but rather as black people who have thrived and succeeded in spite of such environments.  Given that many adult community members have experienced racism, including himself over his 25 years in Canada, it was important for his BCSE to provide a space where this knowledge could be passed on to youth to help them navigate societal racism and embolden them to report instances of racism they encounter.  For him, his BCSE plays a critical role in teaching Black students to view racism not as an insurmountable barrier, but as something they can overcome.  Daniel also believes that culturally centered approaches to mentoring, where students not only receive academic guidance but also learn about their cultural heritage, including their language and traditions will provide a holistic development experience and increased success of these students.