How TMU celebrated Black History Month in 2025

Throughout February, the TMU community came together to celebrate Black History Month with various events honouring Black culture, creativity, and excellence. From festival experiences to thought-provoking discussions, students, faculty, and staff members came together to learn about and celebrate the richness of Black heritage. This year I attended two cool events I'd like to highlight! 

The Black Renaissance Fest was an exciting two-day festival showcasing Black entrepreneurship and artistry. Hosted at the SLC, it was very convenient for me to stop by after class and check out what was going on. I had the opportunity to engage in film screenings, watch insightful panel discussions, and explore showcases that highlighted the creative power of Black voices. The festival was not only a space for inspiration but also a marketplace for supporting Black-owned businesses.

One of the most memorable moments was attending the #ShopBlackowned stations, where I had the pleasure of connecting with Amariza and Ineza,  the talented founders of ZahabuJewels (external link, opens in new window) , a Toronto-based jewelry business that ethically sources materials from Kenya. I chatted with the founders and learned more about their entrepreneurship journey and how they were able to start a family business and make a profit from it while they explored their passion for jewelry. It was great to hear from the founders with their inspiring commitment to sustainability and their passion for innovation in the Black business community.  

As I continued exploring the Black Renaissance Fest, I took in the cheerful and celebratory vibe! People were enjoying the live music and participating in what the festival had to offer – from photo booths to giveaways and dance performances. There was even a rap battle!

Just 2 days after the Black Renaissance Fest, it was time to attend the annual Black Excellence Mixer. This year marks its sixth year being celebrated at TMU and this year’s theme was to challenge the traditional ideas of excellence and encourage open discussions about what it means to recognize diverse experiences. The event brought together Black-identifying TMU students, faculty, and staff in an intimate setting designed for connection and community-building. It was a great time to see familiar faces as I got to listen in on a powerful conversation about carving your path to success and the importance of embracing your own journey. 

A highlight of the Black Excellence Mixer was hearing from Dave D’Oyen (external link, opens in new window) , a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant with expertise in policy development, community engagement, and impact investing. He spoke passionately about the origins of Black History Month, why its celebration remains essential today and redefining black excellence.

His words resonated with me as they served as a powerful reminder of the importance of amplifying Black voices and histories. The evening was all about meaningful conversations, great food, great people and good vibes. It was a space where connections were forged and a sense of belonging was deeply felt.

Through events like the Black Renaissance Fest and the Black Excellence Mixer, I had the opportunity to engage with stories, talents, and perspectives that inspire me to continue building a future and embracing our journey. I'm already looking forward to next year's Black History Month celebrations at TMU!