Sudden death of TDSB educator and activist Jay Williams shocks community

March 5, 2024

Jay Williams and Brione Wishart were collaborating on a project to connect workshop facilitators with school boards and community organizations.

They were also talking about producing an educational podcast that would include Matthew Morris, a close friend of Williams who is an educator and writer.

During an early morning conversation on February 28, Williams told Wishart he knew someone who might be able to help them get a grant for the podcast.

“I said it was a great idea and would give it some thought,” he pointed out. “The next morning, I messaged him, suggesting that the grant money could be used to shoot a pilot that would involve him interviewing educators and students.”

A few minutes later, Williams’ cousin texted Wishart, saying ‘Unfortunately, Jay passed away’.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) educator died suddenly in the early hours of February 29. He was 40.

To say Wishart was stunned is an understatement.

“At first, I thought this guy was testing my loyalty or running some sick assessment of me,” said the creative entrepreneur. “When I called his phone, the cousin answered and confirmed that Jay was no longer with us. This guy had so much to offer.”

Last January, Williams was part of a Youth Career Summit panel at Malvern Library that Wishart and his cousin, Toronto Police Constable Lancelot Waddell, helped put together through their organization, Elevate to Achieve, with assistance from Toronto Police 42 Division Neighbourhood Community Officers.

It included serial entrepreneur Flo King who introduced him to Wishart.

Nearly six years ago, she met Williams who mentored her only child, Tyai King.

“I was struggling with Math and I didn’t even want to be in school,” he said. “Jay took me under his wing and invested the time to understand who I am and what works for me. He let me know that education is very important and I could do better. He pushed me to do better and I am so grateful I met him. I would not be here today had it not been for Jay caring about me and wanting to see me succeed.”

Williams promised King he would help him buy a computer if he graduated high school with honours.

The young man made the honour roll at Mary Ward Catholic High School and Williams kept his end of the bargain.

King is in his final year of Toronto Metropolitan University Business Management program.

Juno-nominated recording artist Keysha Freshh was also on the panel with Flo King and Williams.

“Jay and I spoke a lot about how we can expand each other’s network and work together to advocate for Black youth in the school system which is something he was passionate about and I am also,” she said. “He saw the power in building a network to do this work across all school boards. Every school I enter and every education conference I attend from now on, I will do so in his memory to honour him.”

Jay Williams (second from left back row) with fellow panellists Siobhan Wright (l), Clance Laylor, Flo King, co-organizer Brione Wishart and Keysha Freshh at the Youth Career Summit at Malvern Library on January 27, 2024. Several Toronto Police 42 Division Neighbourhood Community Officers attended, including Ramace Persaud, Shawn Klodt, Lancelot Waddell, Richard Shaw and Jason Obey (r) (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

Due to address new TDSB teachers on the day he died, Williams was a member of Canada’s largest school board for 14 years.

Director of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins said staff, students and families hugely respected him.

“Jay had an incredible ability to connect with people and always made time to reach out to former students and colleagues that he worked with,” she noted. “He was very committed to helping other educators across our district create spaces that affirm the identity of all learners and close gaps in achievement. His presence, knowledge and leadership will be greatly missed.”

Born and raised in Toronto, Williams completed a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education & Promotion at Dalhousie University where he played varsity basketball and was an Assistant Coach in his final year in 2007, and a Bachelor of Education two years later at Ontario Tech University.

He taught mainly Grade 8 in TDSB middle schools and was an Equity, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression Coach for students from kindergarten through Grade 12 before joining the Centre of Black Excellence for Black Student Achievement last July as an Equity Co-ordinator.

Karen Murray said the Centre was Williams ‘home away from home’.

“Even though he was on my Equity team, Jay supported a lot of the work at the Centre because I don’t have a lot of males here,” said the System Superintendent for Equity, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression. “He supported programming when it came to staff, students and the community in addition to his job as Equity Co-ordinator. He had an indomitable spirit and he was authentically real. Who he was permeated everything he did. He was so committed to the students.”

Murray said many students wept when they learnt he had died.

“A lot of former students were still in touch with him for many reasons,” she noted. “They connected with him when they were having challenges or when there was a celebration. This is not easy.”

Jason Kandankery, the TDSB Centrally Assigned Principal with responsibility for Systems Navigation, worked with Williams on initiatives linked to the Board’s Combatting Hate & Racism Strategy.

“Jay was part of a team creating lessons that affirm the identity of Black students and showcasing Black joy and excellence,” said the former Nelson Mandela Public School Principal. “He was very passionate about moving from deficit narratives around any community. He led through his actions and was a good listener. When Jay spoke, people paid attention because his stance was one of confident humility. He was able to connect with people and get them to follow him on the journey of change.”

Jay Williams (r) with his mother Paulette Senior (c) and family members Ruell Gomez (l), Patricia Senior and Raisha Senior-Pinnock at the 2019 Harry Jerome Awards ceremony where his mom was honoured with a Trailblazer Award (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

Two years ago, Williams reached out to award-winning educator Ainsworth Morgan for advice.

“He felt he needed support navigating the Board as a Black male educator,” recalled the TDSB Centrally Assigned Principal for Caring & Safe Schools. “I was also impressed with his emotional intelligence.”

As an educator, Wilfrid University Faculty of Education Assistant Professor Ardavan Eizadirad said Williams’ commitment went beyond textbooks.

“Jay believed in the transformative power of knowledge and lived experiences and the boundless potential within each student,” he pointed out. “His tireless dedication to education and to change for the better was not just about teaching facts, but instilling values of empathy, equity and social change.”

Eizadirad noted that Williams, who was a member of the African Canadian Heritage Association program, shone as an activist.

“He fearlessly stood at the forefront of movements, raising his voice against injustice and inequality,” added the certified national basketball official. “His advocacy was fuelled by compassion and driven by a vision to contribute to a world where every voice mattered and where every individual was seen, heard and valued, especially Black students.”

Spoken word artist Dwayne Morgan was Williams’ Summer Camp Counsellor at Tropicana Community Services Organization in the late 1990s.

“You could tell that he had his head on straight,” the Order of Ontario appointee pointed out. “When I saw the work he was doing in the community and education, it made sense.”

Durham District School Board Communications Specialist Charles Senior said the family is devastated.

“We knew he was working out there in the community to make a difference, but we are now realizing the magnitude and depth of it and the impact it was making,” said Williams’ uncle.

Even though he was out in the community, Senior said his nephew was family-oriented.

“Jay, JJ or Jermayne as we knew him was always there for any function that involved family,” he added. “I celebrated my birthday on the day he passed away and he was looking forward to attending the celebration two days later.”

Williams was very proud of his Jamaican-born mother, Paulette Senior, who was appointed to the Canadian Senate last December.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on February 6.

Jay Williams and his mother Paulette Senior outside the Red Chamber on February 6, 2024 (Photo contributed)

Two days later, Williams made an emotional post on Facebook.

“Pride doesn’t do this feeling justice. Nah. I am overcome with emotion witnessing you continue to climb to insurmountable heights. Heights that were never supposed to be attainable for US. I am amazed each day at the example you have set and continue to set. But truth be told, I should not be surprised. I have had a front-row seat to the dedication, work, sweat, pain, success and failures put in over the decades while being the superhero to me you have always been.

“It is not lost on me why I have chosen the path I have from the examples you presented. President, CEO, Doctor, Politician, Activist. You have smashed through glass ceilings, set the bar and reset it over and over again. I am grateful, as many of us are, that you have allowed us to join you on this journey. You have remained humble and consistent and shown us all what integrity, belief in self and excellence can achieve. Looking back, I have had a few folks I have looked up to for various reasons. Maybe, they were good at hoops or repped for the community. However, I have only ever had one role model and it has always been you. Congrats Senator Senior aka My Mama.”

Williams was Senior’s only child.