Building Black Success Through Design (BBSD) is a free 12-week mentoring program for Black high school students interested in architecture, art, and design. Offered by the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto, BBSD aims to inspire Black students to pursue excellence and innovation within design industries and academia, enhancing diversity and building Black success through design.  

The creative work produced by the high school students during the program can be included in their portfolios for consideration in application to post-secondary art, architecture, and design programs, including the Daniels Faculty’s undergraduate programs in architectural studies and visual studies.  

This access and outreach program offers a dynamic platform for Black high school students to explore their creativity and passions, celebrate their cultural heritage, and engage in thought-provoking conversations through art and architecture. 

Throughout the BBSD program, students will be inspired to address the concept of design for belonging within their projects featured on a site in Toronto. This concept centers community identity and inclusion in the design process. A sense of belonging is an indicator of substantive inclusion for Black students historically underrepresented within the design industry.  

Mentored by Black university students and alumni from our Daniels Faculty undergraduate and graduate programs, high school students will hone their skills across various mediums and software, while also delving into topics that resonate with their experiences and identity.  

Program Objectives: 

• Understanding the connection between identity and belonging in design 
• Introduction to practical technical design skills  
• Research and application of community feedback to inform design  
• Public speaking and project presentation  
• Collaborative design skills 

The BBSD program consists of two in-person cohorts hosted at the Daniels Building (1 Spadina Crescent). Each cohort has a capacity for 20 high school students (mentees) divided into smaller groups, and is led by a university student mentor with first-hand experience in our design programs. Mentors will assist mentees through each step of the design process.   

Creative Arts

In the Creative Arts Cohort, students will explore a variety of artistic mediums to create a meaningful art piece that represents a sense of belonging within the community. Guided by the works of Black artists, students will be encouraged to express their creativity while learning to collaborate with their peers. This project not only strengthens their design skills but also empowers them to make thoughtful decisions that reflect the values of community and inclusion. 

Architecture

In the Architecture Cohort, students will focus on designing an architectural feature that creates a sense of belonging within the community. Through hands-on experience, students will learn the essentials of architecture while collaborating with peers to develop thoughtful and creative solutions. This process not only hones their design skills but also teaches them how to make informed decisions that integrate seamlessly into the site and reflect the community's needs and identities. 

The 2025 BBSD program runs from January 15, 2025, until the final showcase on April 12, 2025. Students will attend weekly online lectures on Wednesday evenings plus in-person courses on Saturdays. 

Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m. / Online
Workshops, informational sessions and lectures

Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / In-Person
General program courses at the Daniels Building

It is expected that students will attend each session and if they are unable, will provide suitable notice beforehand. 

Note: This program requires access to a computer, phone or any device which can photograph and/or scan. There will be Wi-Fi throughout the duration of the program. Please let our team know of any potential accessibility needs within your application or through email and we will accommodate them on a case-by-case basis. 

Final Showcase  

At the end of the program, each mentee will showcase their work during the BBSD Final Showcase. This is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the completed projects and highlight outstanding achievements at the BBSD Awards Ceremony. Community and family members are encouraged to attend.   

This free program is for Black high school students (grades 9-12) interested in architecture and/or the creative arts. To apply to this program, applicants will be required to submit the following: 

• Complete applicant information forms 
• Write a short statement (250 words max) explaining your interest in either the Architecture Cohort or the Creative Arts Cohort and explain how you would benefit from participating in the program. We will be giving priority to applicants who discuss any of the following topics in their written statement:   
  
  • Personal creative interest 
  • How they will be committed to the program 
  • If they have engaged in the community  
  • Anything they hope to learn
• Select a preferred cohort*
  
  • Creative Arts
  • Architecture  

*Please note that selecting a cohort indicates your preferred group but it does not guarantee a spot in the selected cohort.  

Deadlines

Applications open on October 1, 2024, and the deadline to apply is November 15, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Successful applicants can expect to be emailed directly with further instructions after the announced deadline. 

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Supported by a 2021 Access Programs University Fund (APUF) seed grant, a 10-week BBSD pilot program was launched for Black high school students interested in the architecture and design fields. The program was developed through the initiative of a student group, Black Students in Design (enrolled in the Daniels Faculty) with infrastructure and logistical support from the Daniels Faculty broadly. The initial cohort of six students from across Canada ran from January through April 2022. 

Based on the success of the pilot program and an additional APUF grant in 2022, BBSD was expanded in 2022-2023 to a double cohort 12-week program: with a separate in-person and an online program. The program ran from January to April 2023 and hosted an expanded cohort of 16 students. 

The Importance of BBSD

The program enables Black students who may not have had Black identity mentorship in their own studies, the ability to share their insights with Black youth and in this process, develop their mentoring and training skills. The program structure and its centring of Black identity facilitates the building of confidence, and practical skills development amongst a community that has been historically underrepresented in the design professions. 

BBSD is a culturally responsive mentorship program geared toward Black high school students aged 14-18 years old. 

The program structure offers Black youth the opportunity to be mentored by Black university students in design – akin to peer-mentorship. The BBSD university mentors share their fresh knowledge and experiences in design programs with mentees who are preparing to pursue post-secondary education in design. This structure also creates an opportunity for Black university students to develop their leadership skills through guiding the younger generation, while also gaining essential work experience. 

Blackness in architecture and design has been historically underrepresented in academia and practice. BBSD aims to spread awareness and provide opportunities that will produce a new generation of diverse professionals in this discipline. Through community engagement the BBSD program shines a light on the incredible efforts of Black architects and designers who are working to ensure that the Black identity is reflected in the physical landscape of their communities.   

For more information about the program, please contact: bbsd.daniels@utoronto.ca

Follow BBSD on Instagram: @bbsd.daniels