Black History Month Luncheon / en In photos: U of T's Black History Month Luncheon 2024 /news/photos-u-t-s-black-history-month-luncheon-2024 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In photos: U of T's Black History Month Luncheon 2024</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%2812%29-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=QFrVj0yJ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%2812%29-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=IRJIgJ8C 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%2812%29-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=fuF2luBI 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%2812%29-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=QFrVj0yJ" alt="U of T community members line up for food at the Black History Month luncheon"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-02-29T14:52:10-05:00" title="Thursday, February 29, 2024 - 14:52" class="datetime">Thu, 02/29/2024 - 14:52</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Volunteers serve food during the 22<sup>nd &nbsp;</sup>edition of the Black History Month Luncheon, a signature event at U of T during Black History Month (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/black-history-month-luncheon" hreflang="en">Black History Month Luncheon</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/david-palmer" hreflang="en">David Palmer</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Glen Boothe</strong>&nbsp;says he always&nbsp;wonders how many people will turn out for the Black History Month Luncheon – an annual event that brings together the Ƶ community to celebrate Black excellence, history and culture.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Every year, I go through this, ‘are enough people going to show up?’,” said Boothe, who works in U of T’s division of advancement and co-founded the annual luncheon more than two decades ago.&nbsp;</p> <p>He needn’t have worried.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%2842%29-crop.jpg?itok=Cp93RSyQ" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Glen Boothe, a co-founder of the Black History Month Luncheon, thanks Michaëlle Jean for delivering the event’s keynote address (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Booth estimated nearly 600 people gathered in the Great Hall in Hart House for <a href="/news/u-t-s-black-history-month-luncheon-mark-22-years-celebrating-black-excellence">the 22<sup>nd</sup> edition of the event </a>this week – with many others joining the celebration virtually, including via a watch party hosted by U of T Mississauga.&nbsp;</p> <p>“It’s incredible,” he said. “It’s tangible support.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%281%29-crop.jpg?itok=5AsT1O3k" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Lilly Phillip, a chef with U of T’s Food Services, has been cooking for the luncheon for eight years (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Those who attended in person and virtually heard from keynote speaker&nbsp;<strong>Michaëlle Jean</strong>, a former journalist who served as governor general of Canada from 2005 to 2010, Toronto Mayor&nbsp;<strong>Olivia Chow</strong>, and spoken-word poet <strong>Randell Adjei</strong>,&nbsp;who was named Ontario’s first poet laureate in 2021.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%2847%29-crop.jpg?itok=zgTd4vZZ" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Spoken-word poet Randell Adjei gestures to the audience (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Senior U of T leaders, including President&nbsp;<strong>Meric Gertler</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>David Palmer</strong>, vice-president, advancement,&nbsp;<strong>Barbara Dick</strong>,&nbsp;assistant vice-president, alumni relations, and&nbsp;<strong>Dickson Eyoh</strong>, interim principal of U of T’s New College, welcomed attendees and commended the event’s volunteer organizers.</p> <p>“This is one of the signature events for U of T’s annual Black History Month celebration,” President Gertler said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%2827%29-crop.jpg?itok=EoXIKpcW" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>U of T President Meric Gertler with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Michaëlle Jean, who served as Canada’s governor general from 2005 to 2010&nbsp;(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>President Gertler also remarked on the <a href="/news/historic-gift-african-studies-and-caribbean-studies-programs-university-toronto" target="_blank">recent $5-million investment</a> in the African Studies Centre and the Centre for Caribbean Studies by alumnus&nbsp;<strong>Richard Rooney</strong>, who was in attendance.</p> <p>“It will help attract world-leading scholars through the establishment of two new endowed professorships and it will support the next generation of top minds through the creation of a pair of postdoctoral fellowships,” said President Gertler.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%286%29-crop.jpg?itok=xlP6ehGi" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>An estimated 600 people attended the Black History Month Luncheon in Hart House’s Great Hall (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Meanwhile, Palmer presented Jean with an achievement award – recognizing her service, leadership and impact nationally and globally.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-02/0228BHMLunch008-crop.jpg?itok=NaUUNGgV" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>&nbsp;Attendees at U of T Mississauga’s watch party listen to Michaëlle Jean via livestream (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Jean credited her mother and grandmother for motivating her to be an advocate from a young age.&nbsp;</p> <p>“My mother constantly reminded me that indifference is not an option,” she said. “You have to be aware of what’s happening around you and how it affects you and others.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Embrace this discomfort. Feel the pain but stand firm.”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-02/2024-02-28-BHM-Lunch-%282%29-crop.jpg?itok=U56gERBR" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Attendees line up in Hart House’s Great Hall as volunteers serve food (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Jean said her mother told her to use her voice, not just for her own cause, but for others too.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Having perspective and knowing you can make a difference – that is the key to rising above adversity.”&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:52:10 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 306409 at U of T’s Black History Month Luncheon to mark 22 years of celebrating Black excellence /news/u-t-s-black-history-month-luncheon-mark-22-years-celebrating-black-excellence <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T’s Black History Month Luncheon to mark 22 years of celebrating Black excellence</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-02/grid-6.jpg?h=0d2c82db&amp;itok=_X5k_B3c 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-02/grid-6.jpg?h=0d2c82db&amp;itok=0JiPdLxE 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-02/grid-6.jpg?h=0d2c82db&amp;itok=Fd68Ixbm 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-02/grid-6.jpg?h=0d2c82db&amp;itok=_X5k_B3c" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-02-01T15:19:27-05:00" title="Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 15:19" class="datetime">Thu, 02/01/2024 - 15:19</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>The 22nd edition of the Black History Month Luncheon, to be held at Hart House on Feb. 28, will feature former governor general Michaëlle Jean, top row, middle,&nbsp;as the keynote speaker (photo of&nbsp;Michaëlle Jean by Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty, others by Johnny Guatto and Mariam Matti)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/black-history-month-luncheon" hreflang="en">Black History Month Luncheon</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/black-history-month" hreflang="en">Black History Month</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/division-university-advancement" hreflang="en">Division of University Advancement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-libraries" hreflang="en">U of T Libraries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">U of T Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">The luncheon is one of many events taking place across U of T’s three campuses during Black History Month</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Over the past two decades, the Ƶ’s annual <a href="https://harthouse.ca/events/annual-black-history-month-luncheon/">Black History Month Luncheon</a> has grown in popularity and significance across U of T’s three campuses – and beyond.</p> <p><strong>Glen Boothe</strong>, <a href="/news/celebrating-black-culture-and-food-glen-boothe-origins-u-t-s-black-history-month-luncheon" target="_blank">the luncheon’s co-founder</a>, attributes the event’s ongoing success to a “diversity for all” approach that stems from an inspiring mix of Black culture, history and, of course, delicious food.</p> <p>“It gets bigger every year, and it’s heartening to see because that’s an indication that the message is resonating with more people,” says Boothe, who works for U of T’s division of advancement.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2024-02/GettyImages-461041080-crop.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em><strong>Michaëlle Jean</strong> (photo by Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>This year’s luncheon – the 22nd edition of the event – will be held inside the Great Hall at Hart House on Feb. 28 and will feature keynote speaker <strong>Michaëlle Jean</strong>, the former governor general of Canada. She will be joined by spoken-word poet –&nbsp;and Ontario’s first poet laureate – <strong>Randell Adjei</strong>.</p> <p>Boothe encourages those who cannot attend in-person to organize a viewing party and watch the livestream of the luncheon, which will be <a href="https://secureca.imodules.com/s/731/form-blank/index.aspx?sid=731&amp;gid=1&amp;pgid=22078&amp;cid=36337" target="_blank">emailed to individuals who register for the event</a>.</p> <p>The luncheon will also have a separate program – <a href="https://secureca.imodules.com/s/731/form-blank/index.aspx?sid=731&amp;gid=1&amp;pgid=22087&amp;cid=36349" target="_blank">and livestream</a> – for students from high schools across Greater Toronto. They will be joined by <strong>Dalton Higgins</strong>, an author and journalist, <strong>Esie Mensah</strong>, a choreographer who has worked with Drake and Rihanna,<strong> Aiza</strong>, a singer and songwriter, <strong>Brandon Gonez</strong>, the CEO of Gonez Media, and <strong>Stacey McKenzie</strong>, a model and motivational speaker.</p> <p>“We like to showcase the idea of Black excellence, especially to the high school students, to say to them, ‘This is what you can aspire to,’” Boothe says.</p> <p>In 2022, U of T established the Black History Month Luncheon Award and committed to matching donations up to a total of $50,000. The award supports a Black undergraduate student in financial need. Air Canada is one of the sponsors of the event and has donated airline tickets for a raffle. The lunch is also sponsored by Coca-Cola and TD Bank.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-01/GettyImages-1708172836-crop.jpg?itok=NIVjVPqQ" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em><strong>Randell Adjei&nbsp;</strong>(photo by Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The luncheon is one of many events across U of T’s three campuses that mark Black History Month.</p> <p>From workshops to events highlighting Black authors, U of T Mississauga <a href="https://black.utm.utoronto.ca/all-events/month/2024-02/" target="_blank">has a full program</a> of Black History Month events, including <a href="https://black.utm.utoronto.ca/event/black-history-month-welcome-ceremony/" target="_blank">a dinner and a welcome ceremony</a> on Feb. 2 in the Kaneff Centre rotunda.</p> <p>At U of T Scarborough, a <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/home/u-t-scarborough-celebrates-black-history-month-2024" target="_blank">tri-campus event called Our Stories</a> on Feb. 7 will elevate the voices of international students with a focus on Black History Month – one of <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/home/u-t-scarborough-celebrates-black-history-month-2024" target="_blank">several events happening on the campus</a> in February.</p> <p>On the St. George campus, there’s a wide array of Black History Month events and programming offered by faculties, departments and other campus organizations. Details can be found <a href="https://antiracism.utoronto.ca/black-history-month/" target="_blank">at the Anti-Racism &amp; Cultural Diversity Office</a>, <a href="https://harthouse.ca/black-futures" target="_blank">Hart House</a> and <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=JsKqeAMvTUuQN7RtVsVSECbWkGowBmlBtzfgS7uhJqpUNU41UENEUEYxMEFLOU1QTkRFMTNNUEpSRi4u" target="_blank">U of T Libraries</a>, among others. They include <a href="https://bhetoronto.my.canva.site/" target="_blank">a series of free events</a> – organized by libraries at U of T, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto Public Library and York University – to improve coverage of Black histories on Wikipedia and Wikidata, and <a href="https://nsbehacksuoft.ca/#homepage" target="_blank">a student-run Black hackathon</a> organized by the U of T chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.</p> <p>As for the luncheon, Booth says he is thankful for the ongoing support.</p> <p>“Initially this was an event within our community and now I feel everybody’s support and excitement.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:19:27 +0000 mattimar 305804 at