Black

Canadian History

U of T Scarborough

Subheadline

Afua Cooper, an expert on Black Canadian slavery and Black Canadian studies, recently joined U of T Scarborough

Afua Cooper still vividly recalls being a recent immigrant to Canada in the 1980s and considering waitressing jobs at local restaurants in Toronto.

“You would walk into a place looking for work, and they wouldn’t even try to hide it,” she says. “The woman just looked at me and said, ‘I'm sorry, but we just don't want Jamaicans. You’re not the kind of people we want to hire.’”

During that time – and even today – Canada was considered by many to be what Cooper describes as “post-racial-nice,” having avoided the same depth and lasting racism found across the United States.

But the reality was often very different.

“These things still happened here – not that long ago and even today – though the language has changed so the actions don’t appear nearly as racist,” says Cooper, an expert on Black Canadian slavery and Black Canadian studies who recently joined the department of historical and cultural studies at the ��Ƶ Scarborough as a professor.

Cooper was raised in the Whithorn district of Westmoreland, Jamaica, in the post-independence era. Her parents, by comparison, had grown up under British colonialism.

“I guess the people at the Ministry of Education decided that little Black children should learn about themselves,” says Cooper, who later became a founding member of an African Studies Club at Camperdown High School in East Kingston. “So, I thankfully grew up with a strong notion of who I was.”

By late 1980, having migrated to Toronto to pursue higher education, Cooper was fully dedicated to exploring history and the African diaspora as a U of T undergraduate student – a time when the concept of Black studies was rare on Canadian university campuses.

"When I was a student, the university resisted Black-focused curricula, and hiring Black faculty therefore felt superficial,” says Cooper. “Now, with the Black Research Network, Black faculty caucus, and dedicated programs for Black students, the commitment to diversity feels genuine – and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Cooper, a scholar fluent in different mediums, is an award-winning author who has published 13 books spanning genres that include history, poetry, children’s literature and fiction.

Cooper likens her educational approach to making gumbo: “I put everything into it – though as a vegan, it’s strictly plant-based – representing the Black diaspora,” she says. “Teaching isn’t a single trajectory, it’s about sharing the joys of Black culture and the multifaceted nature of our struggles.”

For example, in 2021 Cooper led a three-year project, A Black People’s History of Canada, that received over $1 million in grant funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage. The aim is to cover Black Canadian history from 1604 onward with the help of 13 researchers who have catalogued records across Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland.

"Teachers often say, 'I'd like to teach Black history, but I can't find anything,' which is frustrating," says Cooper. "Now there are no excuses; we're writing curricula and guides with school boards, and we've partnered with government agencies responsible for education. It’s been a true labour of love."

For Cooper, returning to U of T is as much an opportunity to share her work with like-minded visionaries as it is a homecoming.

“I went into labour twice at Robarts library, once with each of my daughters,” she says with a laugh.

“They both spent a lot of time there when they were younger, so I’m thrilled to be back to showcase a history of African and Black people that has been so trampled upon and denied. For me, this is my purpose – to restore and share that history.”

Photo exhibit on display at U of T celebrates the important role of Black classicists

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 03 May 2024 19:58:02 +0000

Photo exhibit on display at U of T celebrates the important role of Black classicists

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 05/03/2024 - 15:58

Cutline

The “Black Classicists in North America” installation is currently on display at the ��Ƶ in the Lillian Massey Building on the St. George campus (photo by Diana Tyszko)

Topic

Humanities

Religion

Subheadline

“This exhibition has been displayed in many U.S. and U.K. institutions, but this is the first time it has been made available in Canada”

A new installation at the ��Ƶ celebrates the important role of Black classicists who overcame enormous obstacles to advance Greek and Latin language studies.

Housed in the Lillian Massey Building on the St. George campus , the photo exhibit, “Black Classicists in North America” celebrates 18 prominent scholars of the 19th and 20th centuries.

“Black Classicists in North America” celebrates 18 prominent scholars of the 19th and 20th centuries (photo by Diana Tyszko)

“This exhibition has been displayed in many U.S. and U.K. institutions, but this is the first time it has been made available in Canada,” says Ben Akrigg, an associate professor with the department of classics in the Faculty of Arts & Science who helped facilitate this exhibit coming to U of T.

“Being confronted directly with their portraits reminds us that these were real individuals, and not just footnotes. They can still talk to us as colleagues through their written words. Many of their concerns and interests, especially as teachers, do speak directly to us in that way.”

John Wesley Edward Bowen

The exhibition was assembled and curated by Michele Valerie Ronnick, a distinguished professor at Wayne State University. Ronnick partnered with Akrigg as well as Ronald Charles, an associate professor in U of T’s department for the study of religion to bring the exhibit to the university.

The portraits include classicists such as John Wesley Edward Bowen (1855–1933). Born into slavery in New Orleans, he graduated from New Orleans University in 1878 and later taught Greek and Latin at Central Tennessee College in Nashville.

In 1887 he became the first African American to earn a PhD at Boston University. His essay, “An Apology for the Higher Education of the Negro,” (Methodist Review, 1897) supported the study of classics. He was president of Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta from 1910 to 1914.

Orishatukeh Faduma (1855-1946) was born in the former British colony of Guyana where his parents lived after abduction by slavers. He was first educated by missionaries in Sierra Leone.

Orishatukeh Faduma

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University’s School of Divinity in 1894 and taught Greek and Latin at Lincoln Academy in King’s Mount, N.C. and Virginia Theological Seminary in Lynchburg. He joined the American Negro Academy in 1899 and the American Philological Association the following year.

Helen Maria Chesnutt (1880–1969) was the daughter of novelist Charles Chesnutt – an American author, essayist and political activist, best known for his novels and short stories exploring complex issues of racial and social identity in the post-Civil War South.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College in 1902 and her master’s in Latin from Columbia University in 1925.

She taught Latin at Central High School in Cleveland. Her pupil, Langston Hughes, who became a celebrated poet and activist, found her inspiring. In 1932, Chesnutt co-authored The Road to Latin, a textbook that was printed several times. She also belonged to the American Philological Association from 1920 to 1934.

Helen Maria Chesnutt

“The institutional structures of classics as they developed in the nineteenth century were designed to facilitate and perpetuate the success of certain groups,” says Akrigg. “These men and women were from outside those groups and the successes they achieved came in spite of formidable obstacles.

“Most of them were teachers and they provided not only an example but often direct inspiration and encouragement to those who came in their footsteps. They played a vital role in widening access to the discipline. They also, however, remind us that that process of widening is still far from complete.”

U of T prof explores experiences of Canadian-born youth of Somali descent

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 17:09:40 +0000

U of T prof explores experiences of Canadian-born youth of Somali descent

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 03/05/2024 - 12:09

Cutline

As part of a two-year research project, Ahmed Ilmi interviewed a group of Canadian-born youth of Somali descent living in Toronto’s Rexdale neighbourhood (photo by Don Campbell)

Topic

Subheadline

"I started looking at questions of being Black, Muslim and African – and being a member of this diaspora within a broader Canadian identity"

Ahmed Ilmi has witnessed firsthand the lack of inclusion and support for Black Muslim youth in the classroom – a topic he’s now exploring as a scholar at the ��Ƶ.

An assistant professor, teaching stream, in the department of global development studies at U of T Scarborough, Ilmi’s work looks at the ways early educational experiences can be linked to social exclusion and identity formation among Black Canadian youth in Greater Toronto.

For two years he conducted interviews with Canadian-born youth of Somali descent living in the Toronto neighbourhood of Rexdale, which is home to a large and vibrant Somali diaspora community. Ilmi says the interviews he conducted highlight the anti-Black racism and Islamophobia experienced in the community – and reveals how this group has built their own unique identity that differs from previous generations.

He adds that the neighbourhood’s youth have coined the unique term Say-Walahi, a fusion of English and Somali that loosely translates to “swear to God” – a term that hints at multiple identities as Canadian and Muslim of Somali descent.

Writer Jasmine Mahoro spoke to Ilmi about the project and what educators can do to better support Black youth.

What inspired you to take on this project?

My goal is to study how colonial education manifests itself within the classroom, in community settings and across society. I look at marginalized Black students and the influences on Black boys, especially, in the classroom. For my current work, there is a known concentration of Black Muslim youth of Somali descent in Rexdale and the community has had low education outcomes due to systemic challenges with white, Eurocentric education.

I was also thinking about who I am – in terms of belonging, exile, diaspora and identity. I came across this unique cultural location that is very fluid and dynamic, referred to as Say-Walahi. I started looking at questions of being Black, Muslim and African – and being a member of this diaspora within a broader Canadian identity.

What did you learn about the experiences of this community?

These youth are not sitting idly and waiting for their lives to pass them by. They are incredibly brilliant. They are resisting both racism and Islamophobia by building community and proudly expressing their identity. For example, it’s common to see them use Say-Walahi memes on social media, so they are proudly owning this.

My generation and previous generations didn’t share a similar experience. It's something very profound. This is where I argue this youth group is very creative. Not only did they navigate the multiple identities that they have in the world, but they were able to connect the dots to create a new way of speaking, articulating and being that is uniquely theirs.

What were your early experiences with education like in Canada?

We don’t push Black students to achieve their full potential through education. For me, I was lucky enough to have some educators and professors that would eventually inspire me. Early on, so many told me “No” – that it wasn’t going to happen. All it took was that one “Yes” for me to move forward and keep going. Unfortunately, being the only Somali-Canadian in the classroom is something that I had to live with for most of my academic career.

How can educators and the school system better understand and address the complex challenges faced by Black Muslim youth?

Although the youth I interviewed were all born here in Ontario, their identities are seen as foreign. It's not even a question of where you were born or where are you from, it's that their identities are not seen as Canadian.

At the moment, the school system we have is molded around a particular kind of identity that is white and European. When you don't fit into that mold, it's as if your identity is an afterthought. That doesn't give you much inspiration to become productive members of society. There are also low expectations of Black students. If the beginning of the conversation comes from a place of Black brilliance, then we can think about creating and constructing classroom spaces that foster Black excellence.

What impact do you hope your current research will have?

I hope this will inspire people to think about their own identity. I want educators to think about how they can reach and inspire these youth and believe in their potential.

There are also policy implications, such as creating more inclusive classrooms built around a multiplicity of identities. It also goes beyond how we fit in the overall Black Muslim African experience that is expressed only during specific times such as Black History Month. It includes looking at ways to validate and uplift these voices consistently and how we can work with that knowledge to transform society.

U of T Engineering program introduces Black high school students to STEM careers

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:48:52 +0000

U of T Engineering program introduces Black high school students to STEM careers

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 02/12/2024 - 15:48

Cutline

Jadesola Babalola-Lucas, 16, explored her passion for engineering during U of T Engineering's Blueprint program last summer (supplied image)

Safa Jinje

Topic

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Outreach

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

The free Blueprint program, open to students who have completed Grades 10 or 11, runs for four weeks during the summer and includes workshops throughout the year

Jadesola Babalola-Lucas, 16, has felt an affinity for math and science since she was in elementary school, but it was not until the summer of 2020 that she discovered her passion for engineering.

“I was stuck at home because of COVID-19 and watching a lot of TV, especially the Smithsonian Channel,” says Babalola-Lucas, who is now in Grade 11. “And I kid you not, I had an epiphany watching Planes That Changed the World.”

She was struck by aeronautical feats involved in the design of aircrafts such as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest crewed aircraft with air-breathing engines, and the way the engineers overcame their challenges with creativity.

“I began to understand how interdisciplinary engineering really is, and it was at that moment that I realized engineers really do make the world go round,” says Babalola-Lucas. “Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something that big?”

A few years later, Babalola-Lucas stumbled upon a posting for Blueprint, an academic enrichment program run by the ��Ƶ’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering for Black high school students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She could not pass up the opportunity to apply and step closer to her goal of studying either materials science or mechanical engineering, and then pursuing graduate studies in aerospace engineering.

The free, four-week Engineering Outreach program, which is taking applications for this summer until March 24, introduces students who have just finished Grades 10 and 11 to the engineering design process. Through course offerings, hands-on activities and collaborative projects, participants apply what they have learned to create innovative solutions for global issues.

Students are also connected with mentors, who are current undergraduate engineering students – some of whom have gone through the Blueprint program themselves. The mentors help participants understand the day-to-day experience of studying STEM subjects in university.

Blueprint students continue their engagement with U of T Engineering over the next school year through two programs – Prepare for Grade 11 students and My Academic Planning Sessions (MAPS) for Grade 12 students. From October through March, weekly virtual sessions guide the prospective university students through the obstacles they may face during their transitions from high school to university.

Additionally, Blueprint participants who are accepted into a U of T Engineering undergraduate program are eligible to receive one of five fully funded entrance scholarships that is renewable for four years.

“Blueprint allows Black students to meet successful individuals with similar racial and academic backgrounds. We do this by inviting Black STEM professionals and current engineering students as guest speakers over the summer and yearlong engagement,” says Cassandra Abraham, a co-ordinator at Engineering Outreach and Blueprint director.

“This representation can be empowering, instilling a sense of belonging and motivating students to pursue STEM careers.”

Students had opportunities to code robots in the Mechatronics and Automation course (photo by Shenile Ellis)

The program is structured to facilitate connection among peers. Students are initially divided into groups based on their hobbies and interests – information that is collected during the onboarding process – to encourage them to communicate with each other and form friendships, says Abraham.

When Shenile Ellis, 17, first applied to Blueprint, the then-Grade 11 student thought it would be a great opportunity to learn more about different engineering disciplines.

While she was already interested in mechanical engineering because she enjoyed 3D modelling and seeing projects come to life, she was keen to meet other Black students who were interested in STEM and get a glimpse of what it is like to learn on a university campus.

“I wasn’t sure I would get in, but when I did, I realized I should never count myself out,” Ellis says. “One of the Blueprint leaders always told us that we were there for a reason and that we are all capable.”

For Christine Martins-Ezeifeaku, 17, some of the most memorable moments from the summer were the hands-on activities that were a part of the two courses: Engineering and Human Health, and Mechatronics and Automation.

“In the biomedical engineering lab, we got to do many things we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do in a typical high school experience,” Martins-Ezeifeaku says. “We got to diagnose sickle cell anemia and create E. coli bacteria.

“Getting to code the robots in the mechatronics lab and seeing them move after we finished was also an amazing experience.”

Martins-Ezeifeaku, who has always gravitated towards working with computers and sees herself studying computer engineering or computer science at university in the fall, says she knows how important it is to see people like herself in the technology field.

“In Grade 10, I took a computer science course that was taught by a teacher who is a Black woman and I was surprised at first because I wasn’t expecting her,” she says. “I loved that class; it really sparked my interest.

“Everyone who has helped me work towards the technology field has been really encouraging.”

As part of a month-long engineering design challenge, Blueprint participants were placed in groups and tasked with designing a solution to a client’s problem. This culminated with a presentation in front of judges, U of T Engineering Dean Chris Yip, graduate students and family members at the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

“I really enjoyed the project because it allowed me to work on my presentation and teamwork skills,” says Ellis. “The experience also gave us experience that we could use in a first-year engineering design course.”

Babalola-Lucas, meanwhile, was part of a team tasked to create a product that repelled locusts on a farm in Jamaica. Together, they designed and built an ultrasonic 40 kHz speaker with a high-enough frequency to disrupt the locusts, but too high for humans to hear – so it didn’t affect human quality of life or wildlife.

“It was really innovative for us, and we ended up winning the competition, which was an extraordinary moment for me,” Babalola-Lucas says. “The entire experience was also an important lesson because I learned that no engineer works alone. You need to know how to work with anyone and everyone. You need to know how to collaborate. Blueprint taught me that from day one.

“I think any Black student who knows they love STEM should join Blueprint. You’re not only going to be exposed to the different disciplines within engineering, but you’re also going to experience a taste of campus life and learn how to study like a university student. You won’t regret it.” 

U of T researcher seeks out new insights on the universe's oldest galaxies

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:27:46 +0000

U of T researcher seeks out new insights on the universe's oldest galaxies

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 02/08/2024 - 14:27

Cutline

Jacqueline Antwi-Danso, a postdoctoral researcher with the David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics, is studying massive galaxies that formed “when the universe was still just a baby” (supplied image)

Chris Sasaki

Topic

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics

Indigenous

Space

Statistical Sciences

Subheadline

"We're trying to understand why these galaxies formed the way they did and how they became so big so quickly"

Jacqueline Antwi-Danso remembers a book from her junior high school library describing how stars are born and how the most massive stars die in gigantic explosions called supernovae.

“The book explained that there were objects out in space that gave off so much energy we could see and study them and make precise observations of their physical properties,” says Antwi-Danso, who credits her parents for nurturing her interest in education and reading while growing up in Ghana. “That just blew my mind.”

Today, Antwi-Danso is an NSERC Banting postdoctoral fellow at the ��Ƶ’s David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Her work focuses on studying massive galaxies that formed “when the universe was still just a baby.”

She is also active in supporting Black, Latinx and Indigenous women who are interested in a career in science.

She recently spoke to U of T’s Chris Sasaki about her career, research and goals.

Was there an important milestone in your journey to becoming an astronomer?

After high school, my plan was to take a gap year to figure out if I wanted to stay in Ghana and do something in the sciences at the university level or go elsewhere.

That’s when an opportunity came my way. There was a program run by the American Embassy in Accra for Ghanaian high school students interested in studying in the U.S. It provided mentorship for things like how to apply to schools in the U.S., how to write a good college application and how to select courses. They also helped you think about what you wanted to do in your career.

It was a big turning point in my life when I was selected to join the program. That’s how I learned about opportunities outside of Ghana and realized that if I was going to study astronomy, I would have to leave because we don't have astronomy at the collegiate level. And so, I made my decision to study astronomy at Texas Christian University.

Large, relatively nearby galaxies like this one took billions of years to form. Antwi-Danso is trying to determine how large galaxies in the very distant universe formed in a small fraction of that time (photo by ESA/Hubble & NASA, D. Jones Acknowledgement: G. Anand, L. Shatz.)

As an astronomer, what questions are you trying to answer?

I study massive galaxies in the very distant universe – some of the very first structures that formed after the Big Bang nearly 14 billion years ago. We're trying to understand why these galaxies formed the way they did and how they became so big so quickly. We’re finding them at increasingly earlier times, as far back as when the universe was just four per cent of its current age.

This goes against our understanding of the hierarchical formation of large structures – where massive galaxies like our Milky Way galaxy were formed from the merger of galaxies that were formed from stars, which, in turn, formed from clouds of gas and dust.

For our galaxy, it took billions of years to attain its current stellar mass. These distant, massive galaxies had only a fraction of the time to go through this process, so we have no idea how they formed so quickly. So, one of two things is happening: either there's something wrong with our observations or we need to revise our current models. That's the big problem I'm working on and I’m actually looking for a summer undergraduate student to work on this project.

Jacqueline Antwi-Danso speaks to students at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society (supplied image)

You’re working to support Black, Indigenous and Latinx women in science. Can you tell me more about that?

The League of Underrepresented Minoritized Astronomers (LUMA) is a peer mentoring organization for women in astronomy, physics and the planetary sciences that was formed in 2015 by Catherine Espaillat, who is the director of the Institute for Astrophysical Sciences at Boston University. She started LUMA because, as a Dominican American grad student, she felt isolated.

There weren’t many people in her field who looked like her, with whom she shared backgrounds. So, she created LUMA to be a community of people with similar experiences who could provide each other with support. I joined because I also realized there weren't many people in my field who looked like me. There were even fewer African astronomers. And, like Catherine, I wanted a place where we could come together as a community and support each other.

Do have you have plans to do the same type of work here in Canada?

I would like to continue this work, so I've been learning about and trying to understand what the Canadian science landscape looks like. I think the challenge in Canada is similar to the challenge that LUMA faces in the U.S. – there are very few Black, Indigenous or Latinx women in science in either country. So, yes, I would like to do similar work here. I just don't know what that looks like yet.

What about in Ghana?

One thing that I had in mind was trying to create some sort of pipeline for students in Ghana who might be interested in astronomy and might want to study in the U.S. or Canada. There are challenges, of course, but I’m talking to people who have been involved in similar projects and have found solutions to these challenges. For example, it might mean helping by providing mentorship to students who are already interested in physics and to students who are a little further along in their studies. I'm hopeful there are a number of ways to make this work.

How do you feel about receiving the NSERC Banting fellowship?

I’m very grateful and humbled to receive it. For me, it represents an exciting opportunity to work independently on my research, especially at U of T with all the people in the Dunlap Institute (for Astronomy & Astrophysics), the department of astronomy and astrophysics, CITA (Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics) and the department of statistical sciences. I feel like U of T is the perfect place for me because I’m combining astronomy with statistics and cosmological simulations to understand these really massive, distant galaxies. I’m having the time of my life, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next few months will bring.

U of T researcher explores reparations for forgotten victims of Uganda’s war

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:08:38 +0000

U of T researcher explores reparations for forgotten victims of Uganda’s war

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 10/31/2023 - 10:08

Cutline

Ketty Anyeko’s research is focused on children born of wartime sexual violence in northern Uganda (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Global Lens

Diversity and Inclusion

Cheryl Regehr

Global

Indigenous

Research & Innovation

Subheadline

Ketty Anyeko is undertaking her research with the support of U of T’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Ketty Anyeko experienced first-hand the turmoil of the war in northern Uganda between the government and Lord’s Resistance Army rebels – and is now dedicating her scholarly efforts to supporting post-conflict resolution and pursuing justice for victims.

A postdoctoral researcher at the ��Ƶ, Anyeko is examining how children born of wartime sexual violence view the legal prosecutions of their fathers – often former rebel commanders – for sexual- and gender-based crimes.

These children, now in their late teens and early 20s, often face stigma and blame for the conflict.

“They're rejected, they struggle to make ends meet,” says Anyeko, who was born and raised in northern Uganda and adds that she feels a personal connection to her research work.

“I want to contribute knowledge about this specific category of victims who are often overlooked when it comes to post-conflict justice and reparation programs.”

Anyeko’s research is supported by U of T’s Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program, which provides funding to hire postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented groups – specifically Black and Indigenous researchers. The program – introduced in 2018 – helps researchers grow their scholarly profiles, undertake critical academic work and strengthen the research environment at the university by bringing diverse perspectives.

Every year, seven Black or Indigenous researchers are selected for the two-year fellowship.

Cheryl Regehr, U of T’s vice-president and provost, says the program helps U of T attract top researchers and scholars across a wide range of fields.

“This program is one of the many ways in which the ��Ƶ is supporting underrepresented researchers – in particular, Black and Indigenous researchers – across the three campuses so that they can grow their careers and focus on their important work,” Regehr says. “It also underscores the university’s longstanding recognition that diversity and representation are core elements of world-class scholarship, research and teaching.”

In Anyeko’s case, she began her fellowship at U of T in January 2023 under the guidance of supervisor Kamari Clarke, a distinguished professor of transnational justice and sociolegal studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Having previously researched the experiences of women who survived wartime sexual violence and forced marriages, Anyeko is now turning her attention to the children born out of forced pregnancies. That includes a focus on the role of former rebel commander Dominic Ongwen, who, in 2021, was found guilty by the International Criminal Court of 61 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity that were committed in northern Uganda between 2002 and 2005.

Anyeko says her work has helped her forge a bond with women in her hometown.

“They trust me. They call me their sister,” she says. “In some of the storytelling sessions, they tell me things they have never told anyone.

“It’s a privilege to have that trust within the community.”

To date, a total of 36 researchers have been admitted to the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program – more than 80 per cent of whom had not previously held a postdoctoral research position.

Many have gone on to work in faculty positions at U of T and at institutions across North America.

Nadège Compaoré (supplied image)

They include Nadège Compaoré, who is now an assistant professor in the political science department at U of T Mississauga. A provost’s postdoctoral fellow in 2019, Compaoré’s work focuses on international relations, African politics, global resource and environmental politics, as well as gender and race in global politics.

She says the fellowship provided her with an opportunity to strengthen her research portfolio, receive mentorship and develop an academic network in Canada and beyond. She also had the opportunity to travel and present her work at various conferences in North America, Africa and Europe.

“When I talk about the time and resources offered through the fellowship, I don’t just mean the time actually spent diving into various scholarship, reading and writing – which is key of course,” she says. “But I also mean the time and funding to really test out important aspects of my work and bounce ideas off folks that I wouldn’t necessarily have come across otherwise.”

Compaoré says the program helped her frame her first book project – which focuses on natural resources and African sovereignty claims – and has given her the freedom to develop a second major research project on the links between pan-Africanism, Black female internationalism and American foreign policy.

“I am thankful for the people, spaces, networks and opportunities that have nurtured my time as a fellow, and which continue to be part of my growth as an academic.”

Joshua Barker, vice-provost, graduate research and education and dean of the School of Graduate Studies, says the contributions made by current and former Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship researchers, including Compaoré, are invaluable.

“We are dedicated to the ongoing success and expansion of the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program, which has contributed to a more inclusive and innovative research environment at the university,” he says.

As for Anyeko, she plans to collaborate with two-community based organizations to organise consultative workshops with northern Ugandan children who were born of sexual violence during the war – ultimately translating her research into policy recommendations for the programs and initiatives meant to support them.

Canadian Black Nurses Alliance launches U of T chapter at Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 30 May 2023 15:52:49 +0000

Canadian Black Nurses Alliance launches U of T chapter at Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 05/30/2023 - 11:52

Cutline

Ovie Onagbeboma, bottom row centre, president and founder of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance, says the U of T chapter is "an important step in providing a place for Black nursing students and all nursing students to feel seen and empowered" (photo by Nevaya Onagbeboma-Francis, CBNA National logo creator)

Rebecca Biason

Topic

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Subheadline

'The ultimate goal is to foster a sense of community, growth and education'

The Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA) has established a chapter on the ��Ƶ campus.

The student-led initiative, announced recently by the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, promises to provide an important opportunity for U of T Nursing students to actively engage with the CBNA and collaborate with student groups and other health sciences-related faculties on contributing to a more equitable health-care system.

Ovie Onagbeboma, president and founder of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance, said the national organization is thrilled to welcome another academic chapter into the fold.

“We know that this will be an important step in providing a place for Black nursing students and all nursing students to feel seen and empowered. These future nursing leaders will be equipped with a national network that will transform their careers and gain leadership skills that will positively shape their academic and professional journey,” Onagbeboma said.

Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, said the work of the CBNA has already had a tremendous impact on providing a welcoming space for Black nursing leaders to have a voice in health-care advocacy.

“Bloomberg Nursing is pleased to join them in their efforts through this student-led initiative as social justice and equity remain key values that the Faculty aims to build upon.”

The creation of the U of T CBNA chapter will provide a platform to focus on the needs of Black nursing students while also remaining inclusive of all students. Its overarching goal will be to foster a supportive community, encourage mentorship and provide networking opportunities for nursing students.

That’s addition to serving as a vital resource to enhance education and growth within the nursing community.

Shraddha Timalsina, a first-year bachelor of science in nursing student, who has led the organization of the U of T CBNA chapter, expressed enthusiasm for the new student group.

“There are all sorts of ways this chapter could provide a sense of connection for students. This could range from small study groups during exam season to having panel discussions and events to talk about broader equity issues in health care,” Timalsina said. “But the ultimate goal is to really foster a sense of community, growth and education.”

The U of T CBNA chapter promises to be a catalyst for positive change within the nursing profession – marking an important step towards community building, empowerment and breaking barriers in nursing education and practice. By facilitating dialogue, organizing events and promoting inclusivity, the chapter aims to contribute to a greater understanding of the challenges faced by Black nurses and health-care workers, as well as the need to foster change.

U of T Scarborough partners with Federation of Black Canadians to support Black entrepreneurs

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:12:43 +0000

U of T Scarborough partners with Federation of Black Canadians to support Black entrepreneurs

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 02/22/2023 - 09:12

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From left to right: Efosa Obano, Chris Thompson, Ebenezer Oteng, Filomena Tassi, Wisdom Tettey and Gary Anandasangaree (photo by Dylan Toombs)

Don Campbell

Topic

Canadian Black Scientists Network

Black Founders Network

The ��Ƶ Scarborough and the Federation of Black Canadians are partnering on a new project that will support the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.

The partnership is part of a $1.3-million investment announced by the federal government for the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), a Black-led non-profit organization aimed at enhancing services that support and mentor Black youth and young adult entrepreneurs.

Filomena Tassi, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, made the announcement at U of T Scarborough’s Catalyst Centre on Feb. 21.

“The Federation of Black Canadians will provide a vital platform for young Black entrepreneurs to develop, launch and scale-up their businesses with the investment announced today,” said Tassi, who was joined by Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough–Rouge Park.

The Federation of Black Canadians will collaborate with U of T Scarborough, The BRIDGE and U of T’s Black Founders Network (BFN) to conduct research, including surveys, in Black communities across Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. The goal is to determine the needs, obstacles and structural challenges faced by young Black entrepreneurs. The findings will help create programming, including a four-month entrepreneurial program focused on business planning, finance, risk management, legislation and commercialization – all aimed at supporting the success of Black entrepreneurs.

The BRIDGE will also partner with the federation to support the creation of a 12-month mentorship program that offers one-on-one support from leaders in the Black community aimed at building professional networks and expanding social capital. Topics will include managing stress, debt, technology, brand and business development, as well as mental wellness.

Founded in 2017, the Federation of Black Canadians works to further the social, economic, political and cultural interests of Black Canadians. It focuses on community programming, hosts workshops, conducts research projects, organizes community events and supports capacity building.

U of T Vice-President and Principal of U of T Scarborough Wisdom Tettey speaks with MP Gary Anandasangaree and MP Filomena Tassi at U of T Scarborough's Catalyst Centre (photo by Dylan Toombs)

Chris Thompson, the executive director of the Federation of Black Canadians, said the funding ties directly into the organization’s mandate to ensure economic security and inspire the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.

“Through our partnership with U of T Scarborough, The BRIDGE and the Black Founders Network, participants will gain access to passionate facilitators and mentors, as well as a greater understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur and what goes into developing a business,” said Thompson.

The investment by the federal government, made through the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund, will support the Federation of Black Canadians to provide tools and resources to 170 Black youth entrepreneurs in Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton.

Wisdom Tettey, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough, said the funding will help provide a lift to Black youth entrepreneurs and help them access resources that might otherwise be beyond reach.

“It’s important to recognize that Black entrepreneurship is Canadian entrepreneurship, and Canadian entrepreneurship is worse for it when there is no space for Black entrepreneurs to thrive and flourish,” said Tettey.

“It fills me with immense pride that our campus is part of the ecosystem fund and it’s a privilege to be a key partner in unleashing the full potential of Black entrepreneurs.”

Efosa Obano, program manager at the Black Founders Network, said his organization will support capacity-building and help create more pathways for Black entrepreneurs to connect with skilled employees.

“Capacity-building is critical,” said Obano, who founded the African Impact Initiative while he was an undergraduate student at U of T Scarborough.

“Giving folks funding when they aren’t ready can lead to mistakes. We want to help make sure entrepreneurs have the capacity and resources they need to take their idea forward.”

Black History Month 2023: What's on across U of T's three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:58:26 +0000

Black History Month 2023: What's on across U of T's three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 02/01/2023 - 12:58

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Volunteers serve food at the annual Black History Month Luncheon three years ago, when the event was last held in-person (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Adina Bresge

Topic

City & Culture

Black Founders Network

Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Black History Month

Cinema Studies

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Film

Hart House

Innis College

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Rotman School of Management

Toronto International Film Festival

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

From dance parties to thought-provoking panels and celebrations of Black excellence, the ��Ƶ is hosting a wide array of events across the three campuses to mark Black History Month.

Members of the U of T community will have the chance to come together to learn, reflect, share stories, have fun and engage in self-care at conferences, cultural events and celebrations throughout February.

Rounding out the calendar is the annual Black History Month Luncheon, which is being held in-person and will spotlight Toronto International Film Festival CEO Cameron Bailey.

Here’s a sampling of the events on offer throughout the month.

Feb 1. – Feb. 4

BE-STEMM 2023 Conference

The Canadian Black Scientists Network is hosting a four-day virtual conference that brings together researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Health (STEMM). The agenda includes talks by leading Black scholars across disciplines, networking sessions and opportunities to mentor the next generation of scientists.

Feb. 1

Ghetto Fabulous: Black Y2K Party

Time to pull out your finest threads from the 1990s and 2000s for this throwback bash, hosted by the Black Students’ Association at U of T, reclaiming the word “ghetto” and celebrating the Black subculture of the era.

Feb. 2 – Feb. 3

Re/Viewing, Re/Visioning, and Re/Imagining Black Canada Symposium

This two-day symposium, co-hosted by U of T and York University, will provide a forum for Canadian and American scholars to reckon with themes raised in the recent volume Unsettling the Great White North: Black Canadian History, published by ��Ƶ Press. The event will engage participants in the latest debates, research and theories in Black Canadian history/studies to better understand how scholarship has evolved to offer a more expansive and nuanced view of Black Canadian experiences.

Feb. 4

Black Excellence Kiki Ball

You better bring your A game to this sports-themed kiki at U of T's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. Guests can warm up with a beginner-friendly vogue dance workshop led by Legendary House Mother Snoopy of the Disney Kiki House. Then get ready for a ballroom battle celebrating game-changing Black athletes such as Colin Kaepernick, Simone Biles and Venus and Serena Williams.

Feb. 6

Black History Month Symposium – What Has Changed: The Role of Attitudinal Barriers to Advancing Black Inclusion

Hosted by the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office, this event will examine attitudinal barriers that contribute to anti-Black racism in post-secondary environments and discuss strategies to address this systemic problem. It includes a performance by U of T alumna Michelle Bookal and opening remarks by Njoki Wane, chair of the department of social justice education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), and Charmaine Williams, dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Panellists include: Cherilyn Scobie Edwards, director of the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Office at U of T Scarborough; Andrew Campbell, assistant professor at OISE; Nancy Simms, adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law; and Teeanna Munro, project co-ordinator in the Black Perspectives Office at Concordia University.

Feb. 8

Kickoff Panel for Black Histories Wikipedia & Wikidata Edit-a-thon

This is your chance to contribute to Wikipedia through a series editing sessions focused on Black histories. The events are co-organized by U of T and other universities in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library. Funké Aladejebi, an assistant professor in the department of history in the Faculty of Arts & Science, moderates the kickoff panel featuring multidisciplinary artist Debbie Ebanks Schlums and Jonsaba Jabbi, co-founder of Building A Black Archive.

Feb. 9

Tastes of Culture 2022-23: African Perspective

U of T Mississauga’s International Education Centre and Hart House co-present this virtual cooking session that will bring the tastes of Ghana to your home kitchen. Chef Kwame Owusu-Afriyie Nsafoah will show how to make stewed black-eyed peas and krakro (plantain fritters) to be paired with jollof rice and stuffed into a burrito.

Feb. 9

The Intersecting Identities that Inspire Our Excellence

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health hosts a celebration of Black leaders across a range of fields for a discussion on how their intersecting identities inform their work. Panellists include: Toronto Argonauts linebacker Hénoc Muamba; Celina Caesar-Chavannes, a former MP and business consultant; Jason Faulkner, owner and clothing designer of Spread Love; Stella Djulus, visual artist and founder of Arts by Stella; and Kevin Allwood, owner of Allwood MKRT & KaSpace Café.

Feb. 10

Rest as Resistance

This session, hosted by Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office, invites Black participants to slow down and engage in community care. After starting the session with gentle meditation and movement, Yamikani Msosa will facilitate a dialogue about how both rest and action can be forms of resistance in the fight against anti-Black racism.

Feb. 13

Pop-Up Barbershop

Get a free trim, fade or braid while testing your hip-hop knowledge at this pop-up hosted by Hart House Hip Hop Education in partnership with beauty services finder Fyyne, co-founded by Jeff Fasegha, a U of T graduate and a member of the of the Black Founders Network.

Feb. 15

Our Stories: Black History Month

Learn from the lived experiences of three U of T students as they share their stories at this virtual event co hosted by U of T Scarborough’s International Student Centre, U of T Mississauga’s International Education Centre and the St. George Centre for International Experience.

Feb. 16

Black Health Leaders Recognition Ceremony

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health hosts its inaugural recognition ceremony celebrating Black leaders in Toronto’s public health and health systems. This year’s recipients are: Fatimah Jackson-Best, project manager at the Black Health Alliance and assistant professor at McMaster University; Cynthia Damba, director of health analytics at Ontario Health, Toronto Region; and Jacqueline Silvera, director of inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and anti-racism with the University of Health Network.

Feb. 17

Hip Hop Family Skate Day

Skaters of all ages are invited to hit the ice at Varsity Arena and glide along to the sounds of hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats curated by DJ Mel Boogie. Professional figure skaters Chloe Panetta and Kieran Thrasher will be on hand to offer tips and perform a routine.

Feb. 22

Black Ice: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

U of T's Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), Innis College and the Cinema Studies Institute present a special screening of Black Ice, an acclaimed documentary tracing the history of anti-Black racism in hockey, from the 19th century to the present-day. Director Hubert Davis will join KPE faculty members Janelle Joseph and Simon Darnell for a discussion of the film, which counts LeBron James, Drake and Maverick Carter as executive producers.

Feb. 23

Panel Discussion on Black-Led Community Space

Isaac Olowolafe Jr. of the Dream Legacy Foundation, Amina Mohamed of the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation and Alica Hall of Nia Centre for the Arts engage in conversation about the need for community spaces built by and for Black communities. The event – sponsored by the Infrastructure Institute at U of T’s School of Cities and co-hosted by the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation – comes on the heels of a joint report examining gaps in public investment in and access to Black-led social infrastructure in Toronto.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Feb. 24

21st Annual Black History Month Luncheon

TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey is set to give the keynote address at this year’s celebration of Black excellence, continuing a more than two-decade-long tradition that has become Black History Month’s marquee event at the university. Community members will come together at Hart House and be treated to delicious food, captivating speakers and dynamic performances.

Feb. 25

Future Black Business Leaders Conference

Black business leaders will share their tips for success with the next generation of power players at this conference hosted by the Rotman School of Management. Attendees will have the chance to connect with top industry professionals and learn more about Rotman’s scholarships and awards for future Black leaders.

Feb. 28

Lecture/Recital with Beau Dixon

Actor, musician and playwright Beau Dixon returns to U of T to discuss his creation and curation of the Stratford Festival’s Freedom Cabaret 2.0: How Black Music Shaped the Dream of America. The event will also feature performances by Dixon and singers from the Faculty of Music.

Feb. 28

The Self-Care Fair

There are plenty of ways to decompress at this Hart House event aimed at encouraging self-care for Black students. Relaxing activities include painting, aromatherapy ball-making, guided meditation, massages and board games.

Dismantling barriers: High school students experience U of T Mississauga via program for Black youth

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:12:06 +0000

Dismantling barriers: High school students experience U of T Mississauga via program for Black youth

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 01/24/2023 - 13:12

Cutline

SEE UTM graduate Onyinyechi Oluikpe shows off her certificate during the Support, Engage, Experience ��Ƶ Mississauga program's celebration and graduation event (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Sharon Aschaiek

Topic