Category: Panelists East

Tracey Grose is also the Fundraising/Social Co-ordinator for the Durham Black Educators Network (DBEN). She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and Rehabilitation certification from York University and Seneca College. She then moved to the Atlanta, Georgia where she furthered her studies earning a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia in 1996. Moving back to Canada in 2001, Tracey was hired as the first and only black social worker with the Durham District School Board.

Tracey has been a social worker for approximately 20 years working with children, youth and families. She has worked in the oppressed urban areas of Baltimore, Maryland with John’s Hopkin’s Hospital’s community outreach programs. She has also worked in Detroit, Michigan in school based mental health services. Tracey brings a wealth of information about mental health services for childhood wellness and the connection to wellness and academic achievement.

Tracey has been a member of DBEN since 2006, serving as the Vice-Chair in 2011-2012 year. She understands the importance of DBEN’s role as an organization and the role it plays in advocacy for students of African and Caribbean decent. Tracey utilizes her excellent communication skills to help DBEN to effectively present a positive message to the community it serves. In her current position she is working toward meeting the needs of students, parents and community stakeholders while optimizing the educational experience of students of African and Caribbean descent in Durham.

Tracey is also very interested in ensuring that opportunities for scholarship, recognition and enrichment are shared throughout the system. She chaired the first Activating Student Success Awards recognition event in 2013 which has now become another DBEN annual event. There are many great initiatives taking place in the community and she wants to ensure all students can reach their full potential and actualize their dreams.