Hamilton student sees himself represented in school thanks to Black graduation coaches

She doesn't speed through the city with flashing lights, but if you ask Abdul-Baasit Sewaya Nsubuga to describe his graduation coach, he says Monique Pitt is like a "first responder."

"Every problem I've shown her, she's helped me overcome it," he said.

Every Monday and Wednesday at Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School in Hamilton, her door is open for Black students to get her help on just about any issue, or to just say hello — no appointments needed.

Sewaya Nsubuga, who is in Grade 11, said he joined the program at the end of the first semester. Since then, he said Pitt has helped him find college and university scholarships for Black students, set goals and balance his academics with extracurricular activities.

"Monique is a person you want to be around," he said.

Pitt is Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board's third graduation coach for Black students. 

She helps students at Sir Allan MacNab and Sherwood Secondary School while Chad McPherson and Michael Abraham tend to students at Bernie Custis Secondary School and Westdale Secondary School, respectively. 

McPherson and Abraham started in fall 2019 when the province piloted the $2.94-million project.

The Ontario government is expanding the program, injecting $566,000 this year and $1.17 million next year.

"We are committed to breaking down barriers so that every student — irrespective of heritage, faith or colour of skin — has the opportunity to achieve their full potential," said Education Minister Stephen Lecce in the press release with the update on the program.

While they're called graduation coaches, Abraham, McPherson and Pitt say they aren't solely focused on helping students get their diplomas.

They each have a cohort of students they help on a near-daily basis.

"We connect with their families, their teachers, their guidance counsellors, administration and also have daily check-ins with those students … and those students will have accessible access to our rooms more so than others," McPherson explained.

Abraham said coaches also give their students bus tickets and gift cards, among other things.