To the Community That Made Freedom School Possible - A Love Letter

Seven o’clock in the morning… Camel is already at Union United Church after a long trek from the other side of town. She meets David who opens the doors of our home for two weeks, drops a daily dose of safety warnings, right before sitting on the church’s front steps. “I want to make sure no one “uninvited” comes into the hall” he adds with a smile. About forty minutes later, the team starts to trickle in… We set up the space, with the help of the early bird campers. First order of business: setting up the Cozy Space! Caïman brought a huge mat, a few plush cushions, a fleece blanket, a basket of books and games, and for the finishing touches: a few plants to bring some life into the space. Next, tables and chairs, with arts and crafts material and flowers as centerpieces, all set up for the “lesson” portion of the day. Capybara welcomes campers with a “transfer” of positive energy, guaranteed to bring smiles to the most tired among us. Cheetah joins the group at the main table and impresses us with their effortless sketching talents while chatting with campers. At 9 o’clock, it’s time for our morning check-in circle! Coyote invites the group to popular memes, or trending songs to share how they’re feeling. Then Capybara starts us off on the theme of the day. 

Our goal was to create a sanctuary for Black youth to learn, discuss topics relevant to them, develop strategies to address real-life challenges, and forge strong community connections.

It has been almost three months since we gathered around a delicious brunch prepared by Chef Kai at SHIFT-Concordia to celebrate 8 months of hard work poured into 2 weeks filled with fun, learning and emotional growth with the wonderful first cohort of Montreal Freedom School. Not one day was identical to the next, but this illustrates the spirit with which our Care Team started each day at Freedom School. 

You may wonder what a Freedom School is… Historically, Freedom Schools were spaces of political education and community organizing created for Black youth in Mississippi in the 1960s,  during the Civil Rights Movement. Since then, several communities in the United States and Canada have initiated similar programs tailored to the specific needs of their young Black and racialized people. The team at Harambec was inspired by Freedom Schools in Chicago, Toronto and Halifax to curate a space of learning and community organizing that reflects the realities of Black youth in Montreal. Our goal was to create a sanctuary for Black youth to learn, discuss topics relevant to them, develop strategies to address real-life challenges, and forge strong community connections. This year’s program was developed around the theme of “Freedom”, and was held over two weeks in August 2024 at Union United Church, a 117-year old historic landmark in Montreal's Black community. We were fortunate to host 15 young anglophone and francophone Black people aged between 12 and 17 from various parts of the greater Montreal area.

Together we engaged in hands-on learning as we explored topics including Black identity in Quebec and Canada, gender-based violence prevention, policing and punishment in schools, solidarity and restorative justice. Our goal was for campers to experience intellectual, emotional and cultural growth, which is why the program included a history walking tour of Little Burgundy, a field trip to the Kanien'keháka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center in Kahnawake, a workshop on arts as a tool for building and sharing knowledge, and a sound bath and meditation session, to engage with rest as a form of resistance. Although the group had a dedicated team of facilitators, they also benefited from the presence of guest speakers who brought their perspectives on the topics explored. We also got to share space with Black and racialized youth and educators from other local organizations from Little Burgundy and Côte-des-Neiges. The program ended with personal projects that campers created to share their definition of Freedom.

Working towards a Freedom School 

Explaining the need for a Black-exclusive space for youth in Quebec, in a context of political denial of systemic racism makes establishing a Freedom School extremely challenging. So, the process demanded careful consultation and collaboration with Black families to ensure that what we offered would reflect their needs and demands. Harambec did this by organizing events such as “Systemic Racism in Quebec Schools: The Fight Continues!”, a roundtable on education held in October 2023 and “Imagine & Create: A Family Gathering for Black Futures in Montreal” hosted at SHIFT in April 2024. These events validated communities’ concerns and aspirations for Black youth in Montreal. What came out from these public conversations was the importance of providing space for Black youth to strengthen their sense of pride and identity, of safety and security, to have their dreams validated, and to enjoy spaces of joy, love, and community. Families mentioned envisioning spaces where Black children could simply be—idle, easeful, and free to explore. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of holding systems accountable and equipping youth with tools for resistance. Ultimately, this is what we strived for as we worked towards establishing this first Freedom School. 

We started this project with passion, and a deep, unwavering love for our community, but also with a genuine fear of not being able to meet every need.

Reflections on Challenges and Learning Opportunities  

We started this project with passion, and a deep, unwavering love for our community, but also with a genuine fear of not being able to meet every need. We recognized that balancing limited resources against this pressing demand was an ongoing challenge, and that our communities’ needs go far beyond what one initiative alone can achieve. In our minds, Freedom School could not, and would not be the only response to the complex needs and desire for inclusive, culturally affirming spaces for Black youth in Tio’Tia:Ke/Montreal. Rather, our aim was to design a program that could serve as a model and an inspiration, hoping that our work would encourage similar efforts across the province. We anticipated certain challenges, such as securing funding and finding partners, but some unexpected roadblocks arose and became great sources of learning and growth along the way. We briefly share some examples here in the hope of reassuring others embarking on similar journeys that such challenges are part of the process and can always be addressed in ways that honour the communities we serve.

Gatekeeping and Collaboration 

Within our own communities, we encountered instances of gatekeeping around the concept of Freedom School, suggesting that its purpose or impact could be privately owned—an idea at odds with our vision of creating an open, inclusive space rooted in collective learning and mutual aid, rather than ownership. We also observed a sense of competition when promoting similar activities for Black youth, which we hoped to counteract by collaborating with other community organizations. Participation, particularly among teenagers, could be inconsistent during the summer, making this even more pressing. However, we were thrilled when two local organizations brought their campers to join some of our activities. These collaborations turned into incredible experiences, and we are excited to continue building these relationships.  

While theory and philosophy are important for shaping vision, Freedom School’s success relied on practical contributions.

From Symbolic to Concrete Action

Community support took on many forms, but the most impactful was grounded in action. While theory and philosophy are important for shaping vision, Freedom School’s success relied on practical contributions. With limited time and the responsibility of caring for underage campers, we needed proactive support—whether by providing supplies, securing resources, or stepping in for team members when needed. These tangible efforts made the vision come alive and demonstrated the power of collective action. While navigating these dynamics was sometimes discouraging, it highlighted the resilience and dedication of those truly committed. Freedom School’s success depended on people who contributed not only ideas but also their time, energy, and resources, ensuring it could flourish and fulfill its purpose. 

Each of these experiences offered valuable lessons in dialogue, collaboration, and the importance of shared commitment. This is why in spite of the challenges, we can humbly say that Freedom School is an achievement we are incredibly proud of, especially as campers and their caretakers have called it an “undeniable success”. It provided us with space to feel and express joy and frustration, pain and pride, but most all hope and love. And these seemingly contradictory emotions are what make us whole, and what is way too often denied to Black youth in the spaces they find themselves in. That is what made this experience so special and reminded us why this program matters so deeply. 

Freedom School is a testament to Harambec’s unwavering commitment to the empowerment and development of Black youth in Montreal. This initiative not only aligns with our mission to amplify the rights, voices, and experiences of Black women and non-binary Black individuals but also embodies our vision of equipping future generations with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to shape a more equitable and inclusive society.  

Thank you for being a part of this beautiful journey.