Celebrating Black Excellence at TMU
Class of 2023 Black Excellence Graduation Celebration.
On June 8, Toronto Metropolitan University hosted its fourth annual Black Excellence Graduation Celebration, held in-person for the very first time. The event celebrates the determination of Black graduating students and recognizes their commitment to their dreams, while balancing determination and self-compassion along the way.
The theme of this year’s ceremony was No bootstraps when you’re barefoot. Walk Good! The theme is a tribute to Wes Hall’s memoir and encourages students to be resourceful, challenge harmful narratives and, ultimately, fail forward.
Zeana Mohammed, a graduate from the Faculty of Arts, Politics and Governance program, celebrates this milestone with her family. “I am very happy. And I know my parents and my brother are very happy for me, and honestly, I just can't wait for what the future has for me,” said Zeana. It's definitely been a rollercoaster, but I'm so happy that I was able to achieve my success and my awards. It's been very exciting.”
Zeana Mohammed (Second from left) and family at the Black Excellence graduation.
“I really do feel like this shows that they are seeing us, and we don't feel like we're falling back. And it just really shows that the university is taking the encouragement that they need to really set the black student and their achievement out in the world.”