‘This is a Sacred Space’: The Black Scholarship Institute Embraces Students with Open Arms, Hearts & Minds

On September 11th, the Black community on campus gathered for a landmark event. The occasion, titled “Rise, Thrive, and Flourish: Welcome Ceremony for New & Returning Students,” aimed to foster a sense of community, belonging, and encouragement for Black students — whether new, returning, or recently graduated — as well as for Black elders, faculty, and staff connected to the university. 

The event was co-organized and co-hosted by Dr. Grace-Camille Munroe, interim director of the Black Scholarship Institute (BSI) and Jay Baker, associate director of Student Life and Learning Services. Institutional Project Coordinator Sarah Bukhari and Keosha Love Dwyer from Student Life and Learning Support also played key roles in the event’s planning. Also on hand was the strong presence of members of the Student Life and Learning Support department who shared resources and services that are available to support students on their academic journey.

The event opened with an energetic performance by the AdinkraFarm Ensemble, a vibrant African musical group. Their lively drumming and dancing immediately got the room moving and group leader Kwame shared the significance of the chosen music, saying, “We want to welcome you back in a way that celebrates the true spirit of our Africanness — honouring our African ancestors, our people on the continent, and those who have been on this side of the water for hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years.”

Dr. Munroe then shared a poem she wrote for the occasion, offering the audience a glimpse of what the ceremony would bring. “This is a sacred space, where our souls are attuned to ancestral whisperings, wisdom flowing through the annals of time, nourishing and fortifying us as we journey ahead encouraged,” she said. “This is a sacred space where you no longer live invisible — you are recognized, you are valued, and your presence matters.”

Her remarks highlighted the mission and history of the Black Scholarship Institute, established in response to the findings of the Anti-Black Racism Climate Review Report (2020), which revealed the pervasive nature of anti-Black racism across campus. This hostile environment for Black students, faculty, and staff prompted President Lachemi to form the Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism, tasked with uprooting systemic racism and re-imagining the university as a more inclusive and respectful space.

In 2023, TMU responded by establishing the Black Scholarship Institute, a pan-university initiative housed in the Faculty of Community Services. The BSI is dedicated to addressing anti-Black racism while creating a vibrant community that fosters Black flourishing and inclusive excellence. It aims to promote Black scholars and Afrocentric knowledge and ancestral wisdom, support the career advancement of Black faculty, create pathways for Black students, and engage in transformative research that uplifts Black communities. Central to its mission is building spaces that promote a strong sense of belonging and affirm the academic, professional, and personal growth of Black individuals at TMU, while making significant contributions to the TMU academic community.

She reminded everyone in the room — both physically and virtually — that they are “worthy of celebration.” She encouraged them to embrace the warmth of those who came before them, to learn from their lessons, and to use that wisdom to uplift one another in a journey toward collective liberation.

Ola Abanta Thomas Obewu, a first-year master’s student in TMU’s nursing program, delivered the land acknowledgement for the ceremony. She recognized that the Black community in Canada has benefited from aspects of colonization and emphasized that this land acknowledgement stems from a “team central to reconstituting the trilateral relationship between Indigenous peoples, the Canadian state, and Black populations in Canada.” Lastly, she encouraged listeners to reflect on their diverse relationships with the land they inhabit.

Dr. Munroe and Baker both kicked off the event with an official welcome and an overview, assuring attendees that they are all embraced within this community. “Our hope is that you find a piece of your community here today,” Baker shared. 

Shaniqua Brown, president of the Black Student Association (BSA), took the stage to encourage students to occupy space while being their authentic selves. “Know that you have your identity, and that’s something you’ll always have. Embrace it,” she declared. “Use your story as an internal compass to let people know who you are… Be unapologetically Black.”

Dr. Denise McLane-Davison, an associate professor and graduate program director, reminded TMU’s Black community of their purpose on campus. “When things get rough, I want you to remember that you belong here,” she said. Sharing her journey as a young Black girl from the South Side of Chicago, she expressed how she never imagined achieving a doctorate.

“Who is waiting on you to become whoever you’re supposed to be?” she posed to the audience. “Who is waiting for us on the other side of our degrees? What little girl, what little boy, what little kid that doesn’t even identify in either category – doesn’t look like us, may look like us, not so sure about who they are – who is waiting for us on the other side?” 

She urged attendees to appreciate the resources and individuals who have helped them reach this point, advising them to use that fuel to fully blossom into their true selves.

TMU alumna and case manager Freda Bizimana also shared her story, explaining how the support she received during her struggles in post-secondary education inspired her to give back to Black youth. “Especially those who really, you know, their environment that they’ve gone through has impacted their decisions in life to be able to succeed, and to be able to do what they want to do because of different systemic barriers,” she said. “So, I said I want to be that voice, show them that they do have options, there’s support and you can get help.” 

Alongside her career as a registered social worker, Bizimana is a singer, writer and part-time psychotherapist. She reminded audience members that they too can achieve it all. “Just take things day by day, sometimes hour by hour and you can get there,” she advised. “Reach out, research, do your homework. It’s okay to not know, but always think about, ‘What brings me joy?’ and start from there.”

Al Ramsay, a vice-president of TD Bank Group, added to the powerful atmosphere, saying, “I can feel the love in this room.” He spoke about his journey to becoming not only a vice-president but also the head of LGBTQ2+ and Black customer segments at TD, all as a proud, gay, Black man.

 “The reason it’s my reality is because of my community. I’m standing on the shoulders of my community. Especially strong, Black women in my community… No man stands alone.”

He highlighted the importance of visibility within oneself and the community. “If you can see it, you can dream it, you can do it,” he encouraged. Ramsay called on members to hold the university accountable for creating a supportive environment and to embrace the community that Dr. Munroe has fostered.

He concluded with a quote from Michaëlle Jean: “There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing someone assume their power and take their rightful place in this world.”

Executive Director of the Office of the Vice-Provost of Students (OVPS), Ebony Gittins, emphasized the importance of getting connected with helpful school services. Sharing her own struggles as an undergraduate student-parent, she highlighted how seeking academic help guided her toward success.

She assured attendees that the OVPS offers valuable resources, including academic assistance, mentorship from older students, help with co-op placements, and assistance with finding rental accommodations. “You need to get connected to get to the other side of your successful era,” she said as she urged students to seek out the office. 

Faduma Mohammed, a Somali Canadian spoken word poet, playwright, actor, and educator, captivated the audience with three powerful pieces. She, too, spoke of the impact of community, emphasizing the importance of giving back “to our young Black girls, to our young Black boys”. 

Besides a communal aspect, she also spoke to the audience on an individual level: “Find one imperfection and whisper ‘I love you’… Find your match, find the people that are your match and burn eternally,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to dream again; you are who you’ve been waiting for, aren’t you?”

Finally, Aina-Nia Ayo’dele, a leadership coach and ancient wisdom teacher, delivered an impactful blessing before the closing performance. She began with a traditional blessing to the ancestors, combining salt, honey, alcohol, and water—a mixture symbolizing Blackness as the enduring, sweet essence of the earth, meant to thrive and flourish, aligning with the event’s mission. 

She shared key African philosophies, urging attendees to remember their natural, African selves, honour spirit, ancestors, and children, embrace community, practice rituals for discipline, align mind, body, and emotions, nurture natural elements, and understand one’s purpose.

“Remember there is no one like you, that you belong,” she affirmed. “There are people who have paved the way, you have people that bled so you can be here.”

The AdinkraFarm Ensemble returned for the closing performance, this time filling the space with warm, relaxing tunes. Kwame used this opportunity to further drive home the event’s message, encouraging members to discover community within themselves and one another.

“Show up on campus, off campus – in all of the spaces you go – as your true authentic beautiful African self, that’s the whole idea. It is what you bring to our city, to the university, it is the true essence and value that lives inside of you.” 

Michelle Forde, manager of the Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to students, volunteers, faculty, caterers, and everyone involved in making the event possible. She extended special thanks to Dr. Munroe, who spearheaded the organization in every facet. 

She offered strong words of encouragement during the closing ceremony that was “also the beginning”. 

She said, “Seeds have been planted in this fertile soil and you will take root. You will rise, thrive and flourish. Plants exist and thrive in so many seemingly uninhabitable spaces on this planet. The nature of our people is to bloom, and that is what you are going to do.” 

After the vote of thanks, members engaged in interactive networking activities, encouraged to eat, mingle, and reflect on the event's content.

Georgiana Mathurin, a policy studies doctoral student, wrote that she was honoured to have attended the occasion. “The coming together of Black people reminded me of our connectedness in creating space for all Black students to flourish. Black students belong here at all levels of degrees, especially at the postgraduate level. The sky is not our limit, and it wasn't for our ancestors because they never limited themselves to be great thinkers and doers.” 

LeBron Pryce, a student and the photographer of the event, also shared his thoughts: “The empowering event that was the BSI welcome ceremony truly gave me what I needed to start my academic year. From the inspiring key speakers to the vibrant musicians, I was deeply moved. My confidence in my Blackness has never been so high.” 

Another student, Abigail Mullings, rounded up the event with these words: “Enlightening, engaging, inspiring. For us, by us. The ceremony was much appreciated as it provided a space for Black students to be celebrated at a level where most people don't expect Black people to reach."

The author, Tomi Raji, is a student in the journalism program at TMU.