Student spotlight

Mekka Toussaint

Mekka Toussaint is an impressive 15 year old sophomore at Mary Lyon High School. You can find her most Saturday mornings giving out fruits and vegetables from the food pantry, organized by Muhammad’s Mosque #11, at Grove Hall, the busy hub, linking Dorchester and Roxbury. Her inner motivation for getting up early and out there, especially during the COVID pandemic, comes from witnessing the urgent need for so many in her community to get healthy food for their families. She would want someone to make a similar effort for her family if ever needed.

Mekka’s commitment runs deep. Giving back has been encouraged by her father since she was 5 years old. She is profoundly inspired by her father, a first generation Haitian American who was born in Florida and raised his family in a disciplined and structured environment here in Boston, adhering to the tenants of the Nation of Islam. Mekka is striking her own path, especially at Mary Lyon High School.

Serving on the Equity Round Table with teachers, headmaster, and other students, Mekka is advocating for the hiring of more teachers of color who reflect Mary Lyon’s student population more equitably. This lack of sufficient access to teachers of color negatively impacts the self esteem and confidence of Black and Brown students who, like all students, need the advice, support, and validation of teachers and staff who share similar life experiences and can relate more authentically. She hopes to see an equal racial makeup of teachers by the time she graduates in two years.