A MESSAGE FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS

We have been friends for over 10 years, supporting one another during our peaks and valleys. In a world where nothing is constant, our friendship remained unwavering. In spite of the success that we have had within the education system, we both experienced pressures to dissociate from our culture in order to feel welcomed in our school environment. In the Black community, these pressures are more pronounced as we continue to dismantle the residual effects of segregated schools in Ontario.

As we begin Roots to Routes Academy, we want to create a school that embodies the major principles of our friendship: compassion, intercultural understanding, and allyship. Coming from different cultural backgrounds, our friendship has been rooted in a genuine interest in learning about the various elements that impact our worldviews. We immersed ourselves in each other’s culture, religion, and families. In the process of our intercultural exchange, what we discovered is a sense of pride for our own cultures and an urgency to ensure educational equity. Learning about our cultural differences and similarities helped us grow an increased appreciation for our own cultural roots, sparking a renewed excitement to celebrate who we are and where we come from. This revelation was transformative and is the core of our motivation to creating a school. At Roots to Routes Academy, we are rooted in the belief that learning about our shared cultural history is the route to a more compassionate future. Our friendship is one of the greatest gifts we’ve received and we want to share this gift with you. 

With love, 

                 Korina Thomas-Reynolds & Ramya Selladurai