“They call it ‘behaviour’ and ignore the barriers; We teach the rules of the game and how to win; We stay on them because the stakes are real and we refuse to see their potential wasted.”
-Reena
Reena’s experience with BCSEs begins with her exposure to afterschool programs, youth hubs, and equity boards while she was in high school that shaped her understanding of and subsequent response to systemic barriers in education. From noticing disparities in streaming and gifted programs to taking action by founding her BCSE, Reena portrays her journey as one of transformation from participant to leader, where through initiatives of Afrocentric mentorship, scholarships, and conducting research, Reena aimed to create conditions where Black youth feel positioned to succeed.