The goal of the Modern-Day Griot project is to give Black UTSC students the skills and ability to showcase the strength and beauty of the Black community and give them the opportunity to heal and share, using the principles of Nguzo Saba (Imani (spiritual), Kuumba (creative), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Nia (purpose), Ujima (responsibility), Umoja (unity), and Ujamaa (cooperative).
Over the years, MDGP has provided a safe space for Black students to reflect on their identities and share their stories. MDGP participants also mentor Durham District School Board (DDSB) students, providing them with insights into post-secondary education and offering a counter-narrative to the exclusion they may feel in traditional academic spaces. The program integrates critical discussions on media, storytelling, and self-perception, encouraging students to ask, “Who am I?” using an Afrocentric lens.