An American educator who has set up black-focused schools has thrown his support behind bringing the idea to Toronto.
Award-winning American educator Howard Fuller started a national organization that supports education options for black children.
Speaking Wednesday in Toronto, Fuller said the heated debate surrounding the idea of black-centred schools is not unusual.
"Black people are not a monolith any more than white people are," Fuller said, "and so why would anyone be surprised if some black people might like an idea and some people don't? The question is whether or not this is an idea that could help educate kids."
Parents who want schools focused more on black education will learn more about the proposal when the Toronto District School Board meets next week.
Fuller suggests advocates in Toronto speak with principals of the First Nations schools run by the Toronto District School Board.
He also thinks the school board should organize a conference of African-Canadian scholars to discuss how the schools could be set up.
For Donna Harrow, who is pushing for such schools in Toronto, Fuller's support is welcome.
"It's important for us to continue to talk about the responsibility that as black citizens [we] have. And one of them is to make sure that our children are as educated as their white counterparts," Harrow said.