October 17th, 2024

At the WRDSB Black Brilliance is all year long, we are pleased to launch the Black Brilliance Apparel Store. By purchasing from the affinity apparel store, you are supporting one mechanism of funding student-led initiatives.

Introducing BUY IT FORWARD

Purchase a shirt that can be gifted to a student. Purchases will be given FREE to students. The best part is you double your investment in students as the proceeds from each sale are invested back into Black Brilliance student initiatives. Thank you for buying it forward.

Orders must be placed by October 31 at 11:55 p.m. There will be no extensions on the order deadline.

If you are a student, family member or caregiver, please put the school you are associated with as your school location.

  • All orders must include the school location and will be sent through interoffice mail

  • If the school location is not clearly marked, an email will be sent for you to pick up your order at the Education Centre.

About the Design – FLOURISH

The image tells the story of Black flourishing. Black flourishing is joy, affirmation and brilliance. The flowers represent blooming and fulfillment. The symbols of music, Africa, science and literature showcase knowledge innately present in the mind of the Black child. Ambition is one of the many meanings of the colour purple as well as wisdom, pride and creativity. The colour yellow also represents happiness, and wisdom.

Alana Decker

Alana Decker, who also goes by A. Decker, is a visual artist passionate about integrating art with mental health advocacy. As an artist, she aims to use her creative talents to raise awareness of important issues and encourage discussions around well-being. Through her work, she explores how art can both reflect one’s inner experiences and bring more light to topics that require understanding. By blending art with messages of empowerment and compassion, A. Decker strives to help diminish stigma and bring greater comfort to those navigating challenges. Her efforts demonstrate how the arts can enrich society in meaningful ways by spreading messages of empowerment.

She has held two solo art exhibitions, Remembering All That I Am and When Passion Takes the Lead- exploring personal identity and passion. She has also participated in collaborative art exhibitions: Black and Free at the Ken Seiling Museum and The Beasting Art Project to name a few.

Artist Statement:

My work is deeply inspired by my heritage and my views on beauty, strength, love, happiness, and music. I love to blend my art with quotes, affirmations, and poetry, creating a powerful dialogue between mental health awareness and my artistic expression. This fusion is incredibly important to me; it allows me to be my authentic self while also representing my healing journey. I always say “Art brings me happiness, what doesn’t make sense with spoken words, forms clarity when my paint brush touches the canvas.