Topic: Missing Black Boys Ontario: What You Need to Know?
Description: This presentation on Missing Black Boys in Ontario provides a critical examination of the issues surrounding the disappearances among Black male youth. Ultimately, the presentation calls for a shift in how community safety frameworks address the vulnerability of Black youth, moving away from reactive policing toward proactive, protective strategies that prioritize their safety and humanity.
Bio:
David Mitchell is a retired 35-year Ontario public servant who spent his career in the Justice Policy and Public Safety circle. Prior to being promoted to Assistant Deputy Minister for the Youth Justice Division within the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in 2016, he was the Regional Director of Probation Services in the Ministry of the Solicitor General central region. During his service with the Ministry of the Solicitor General where he started as a uniformed Correctional Officer, he has held progressively responsible management roles in several correctional institutions including Superintendent, Probation and Parole Manager, and the founding head of the Ontario Correctional Intelligence Unit.
Throughout his career and as a volunteer, David has demonstrated leadership while working on youth and community issues. He was a founding member of the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.) and served as the President for ten years. Under City of Toronto Mayor David Miller, he was appointed as the first Chair of Toronto Community Housing who was a former resident. He has played a leading role in bringing together community stakeholders, including the BBPA and police leaders to identify opportunities to prevent young people from engaging in gun violence and providing them with community programs and job training. Presently David is concurrently the co-chair of the Durham Regional Police Service Diversity Advisory Committee and the Senior Director of Operations for the Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE).
