The Ophea Award for Outstanding Contribution recognizes an individual, group, or organization for their exemplary contribution to the lives of children and youth in the areas of inclusive health and physical education, health and physical activity promotion, advocacy, and/or community development. The Ophea Award for Outstanding Contribution is presented in honour of Bill Paterson, a dedicated and generous individual who worked tirelessly to improve kids’ health. Throughout Ophea’s early years, Bill was dedicated to supporting the organization and spent many years working as a volunteer for Ophea.
This is a posthumous award in recognition of Jay Williams’ contributions to the education sector.
Jay’s leadership contributed to meaningful advancement of quality, innovative, and inclusive opportunities for students within the Toronto District School Board.
Jay Williams, an educator, speaker, writer and consultant based in Toronto, Ontario, was a pioneering leader in schools and communities, particularly within the Black community. In his former role as Coordinator of Equity at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Jay managed initiatives aimed at fostering equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression within the education system. He played a pivotal role in the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, dedicated to improving outcomes for Black students. His social media content reflected his perspective on issues including race, culture, education, and social justice, with a focus on how racialized students, particularly Black males, navigated and experienced topics of masculinity, vulnerability, and manhood.
Beyond his administrative role, Jay was deeply involved in direct engagement with students, serving as a beloved educator in various schools in Scarborough. Known for his compassionate and caring approach, Jay was not just a teacher but also a mentor and role model for many Black students, who saw him as an uncle figure due to his nurturing demeanor.
Jay's commitment to equity and social justice was unwavering, he tirelessly advocated for solutions to the barriers faced by Black students.
Jay's leadership extended beyond the traditional confines of education, as he actively worked to dismantle anti-Black racism within school systems through public speaking engagements, consultations, and policy development. His focus on topics such as Black masculinity, Hip Hop as critical relevant responsive pedagogy, and culturally relevant teaching strategies aimed to make the classroom experience more inclusive and empowering for Black students. He allowed himself to be vulnerable and shared his personal journey navigating through these areas. Jay believed in the importance of being a role model to engage, empower, motivate, and inspire not only students and educators but society as a whole.
As an educator, speaker, and advocate, Jay dedicated his career to addressing issues of race, equity, and inclusion in education.
Jay Williams made significant contributions to improving the health and well-being of Ontario's children and youth, particularly within the Black community. In his role as Coordinator of Equity at the TDSB, Jay managed portfolios focused on dismantling anti-Black racism and promoting initiatives such as the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement. As mentioned previously, he was engaged in public speaking, consulting, and policy development aimed at creating culturally relevant and responsive educational experiences for Black students. Jay's work in equity was to ensure that the next generation of Black youth faced fewer barriers and challenges than previous generations.
Jay's long-term contribution to improving the health and well-being of Ontario's children and youth is exemplified by his collaboration with Ophea. In 2023, Ophea and the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement at the TDSB initiated a collaboration to elevate Black youth voices in health and well-being narratives within schools. Jay was a staunch supporter of this collaboration, demonstrating his dedication to shifting the narrative in Health and Physical Education (H&PE) towards inclusivity and representation. His enthusiasm for the collaboration culminated in the organization of an in-person event with 70 Black youth, which took place on March 28th, 2024. Although Jay passed away before the event, his spirit was honored, and a mural was co-created by students dedicated to his memory, symbolizing his enduring impact on the health and well-being of Ontario's children and youth.
Ophea is currently in talks with the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement regarding the presentation of this award. Jay’s legacy as a dedicated educator, advocate, and role model continues to inspire and resonate within the education community and society.
