About

Jay Williams was an educator, speaker, and education consultant based in Toronto, ON, Canada. He has spoken on topics of race, Black masculinity, education, Hip Hop as Critical Relevant Responsive pedagogy, Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP), and his journey navigating through it all. In addition, in his most recent role Coordinator of Equity, at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), he held portfolios in both equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression, the Black Student Success and Excellence (BSSE) initiative, and Model Schools for Inner Cities (MISC).

Jay’s social media content speaks to his perspective of issues including race, culture, education, and social justice, with a focus on how Black males navigate and experience topics of masculinity, vulnerability and manhood. Jay believed in the importance of being a role model to engage, empower, motivate, and inspire not only his students and educators but society as a whole.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to liaise with Jay Williams in his capacity as reviewer of student-facing and teacher-facing material being developed for Nelson Education’s Edwin digital learning platform in response to a need for new Grades 4 to 9 Science resources in Ontario. In examining draft material carefully and diligently through the lens of Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy, Jay has made significant contributions towards ensuring that these new resources represent students from diverse backgrounds and address their learning needs in authentic and respectful ways. Jay demonstrates great understanding of
and sensitivity to the need to honour and celebrate each student’s individuality and to tap into each child’s unique strengths as a learner. Jay’s wise recommendations have helped the development team to create robust and engaging resources that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in meaningful and practical ways.
- Jane McNulty, Program Specialist, Nelson Education
Jay Williams helped our staff and parent community to open up a necessary dialogue on talking to children about racism. His deep understanding of the complex issues that surround race and racism, in collaboration with his experience as an educator in Toronto, enabled him to present an informative and engaging talk. Jay's interactive approach allowed the audience to participate in experiential learning and reflect deeply on the topics of privilege and power. Jay also provided staff and parents practical advice and actionable tips and tools for not only talking to children about racism but also on how to promote Anti-Black Racism in the school community as a whole. Our staff and parents are grateful to Jay for his expertise and commitment. We feel we have taken a solid step forward in our pursuit of becoming a community of allies and Anti-Racists.
- Colleen Bellehumeur & The Castlebar Team, Principal of Castlebar JS
Jay Williams brings incredible energy and perspective to his events. He created a feeling of honesty and welcome in the room that was felt by all attendees. He is engaging and passionate and his words stirred the hearts and minds of all. Left us with both knowledge and questions and the desire to seek more of both. We can’t thank him enough for sharing his insights and knowledge with us, this experience was a valuable resource for our community as they seek to develop and grow their actively Anti Racist Toolbox. Our parents were left energized, open and eager. We look forward to learning more from him in the future.
- Alexis Kucey Parent Council Innovation Grant Team
Jay Williams is like none other. I’ve known Jay for several years and can attest that he is living out his calling to steward change within the world and within the education system. You cannot discuss black excellence and dismantling systemic racism without referencing the work of Jay Williams. Jay is a true thought-leader in the DEI and education spaces and an excellent keynote speaker. The world needs more Jay Williams.
- Lauren Canzius, Director, Diversity and Anti-Racism Office,
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to liaise with Jay Williams in his capacity as reviewer of student-facing and teacher-facing material being developed for Nelson Education’s Edwin digital learning platform in response to a need for new Grades 4 to 9 Science resources in Ontario. In examining draft material carefully and diligently through the lens of Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy, Jay has made significant contributions towards ensuring that these new resources represent students from diverse backgrounds and address their learning needs in authentic and respectful ways. Jay demonstrates great understanding of
and sensitivity to the need to honour and celebrate each student’s individuality and to tap into each child’s unique strengths as a learner. Jay’s wise recommendations have helped the development team to create robust and engaging resources that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in meaningful and practical ways.
- Jane McNulty, Program Specialist, Nelson Education
Jay Williams helped our staff and parent community to open up a necessary dialogue on talking to children about racism. His deep understanding of the complex issues that surround race and racism, in collaboration with his experience as an educator in Toronto, enabled him to present an informative and engaging talk. Jay's interactive approach allowed the audience to participate in experiential learning and reflect deeply on the topics of privilege and power. Jay also provided staff and parents practical advice and actionable tips and tools for not only talking to children about racism but also on how to promote Anti-Black Racism in the school community as a whole. Our staff and parents are grateful to Jay for his expertise and commitment. We feel we have taken a solid step forward in our pursuit of becoming a community of allies and Anti-Racists.
- Colleen Bellehumeur & The Castlebar Team, Principal of Castlebar JS
Jay Williams brings incredible energy and perspective to his events. He created a feeling of honesty and welcome in the room that was felt by all attendees. He is engaging and passionate and his words stirred the hearts and minds of all. Left us with both knowledge and questions and the desire to seek more of both. We can’t thank him enough for sharing his insights and knowledge with us, this experience was a valuable resource for our community as they seek to develop and grow their actively Anti Racist Toolbox. Our parents were left energized, open and eager. We look forward to learning more from him in the future.
- Alexis Kucey Parent Council Innovation Grant Team
Jay Williams is like none other. I’ve known Jay for several years and can attest that he is living out his calling to steward change within the world and within the education system. You cannot discuss black excellence and dismantling systemic racism without referencing the work of Jay Williams. Jay is a true thought-leader in the DEI and education spaces and an excellent keynote speaker. The world needs more Jay Williams.
- Lauren Canzius, Director, Diversity and Anti-Racism Office,
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal