Marking the graduation of university’s Black students

What does it mean to graduate as a Black student from Ryerson University in 2021? 

I spoke recently with two self-identified Black grads, Nikée Nantambu-Allen and Jibril Hussein, who both attended Ryerson’s second annual Black Excellence Graduation Celebration on June 10. 

While pursuing her bachelor of arts in psychology with a minor in sociology, Nantambu-Allen was passionate about championing anti-racism causes. As the first Black president of the Psychology Students’ Association, Nantambu-Allen introduced mandatory equity, diversity and inclusion training for the psychology Equity Diversity Inclusion and Justice (EDIJ) Committee members, and created a mentorship program for BIPOC students that will launch this fall. 

Nantambu-Allen also volunteered externally with Trails Youth Initiatives, which helps high school students in underserved areas access higher education. For these and other contributions, she was awarded the Board of Governor’s Leadership Award and the Ryerson Gold Medal Award for the Faculty of Arts. 

“Part of the reason I have been able to find so much success in university and that I had such a positive experience was the sense of community I had with other Black students,” says Nantambu-Allen, who is attending law school this fall. “The Black Excellence Graduation Celebration specifically recognizes that Black university students have to jump over hurdles that other students do not, and that often is not acknowledged.” 

Jibril Hussein, a mechanical engineering graduate who minored in English, noted his challenges in finding Black mentors on campus who could support his growth. However, that experience propelled Hussein to create a richer experience for other students in his situation by volunteering as a coordinator of Ryerson Student Union’s Equity Service Centres, which offer students accessible, inclusive and safe spaces on campus. He also served as vice-president of the Ryerson Engineering Student Society. 

“This reception is important in acknowledging the achievements of every single graduate, as well as giving them a platform to showcase themselves to the world…There is joy in being able to share this moment with my colleagues and friends,” says Hussein, who won a 2021 Dennis Mock Student Leadership Award. 

The importance of mentorship

At the almost three-hour virtual celebration, about 150 students, many donning colourful kente stoles gifted to them by the university, gathered to hear inspiring speeches from administrators and alumni, win prizes and witness the launch of the Black Excellence website. Denise O’Neil Green, vice-president of equity and community inclusion, noted the importance of taking a well-deserved break before facing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 

“We live within destructive systems that perpetuate anti-Black racism, where racial injustices can take a toll on one's well-being, heart and spirit. Dedicating time…to care for yourself, to nourish your body, spirit, soul and mind can help increase your resilience as you prepare for the next stages in your life,” Green said. “While we must continue to advance and must continue to dismantle systems of white supremacy, I encourage you all to think about rest as a radical act of resistance and investment in your resilience.”

President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi emphasized how success for the graduates, individually and as part of the Black community, will depend partly on mentorship—giving and receiving it. 

“I know that your generation wants to make a difference. To be change makers. There’s no better way to build a better and more inclusive society and to challenge anti-Black racism than by mentoring one young person at a time… Just as you can be a mentor, I urge you to find a mentor for your own career. Find people with the knowledge and experience to guide you,” Lachemi said. “The world needs your energy, enthusiasm, talent and creativity to shape a better future. Your community needs you. It needs you to share your knowledge and ideas. It needs you to voice your concerns.” 

Embrace leadership opportunities

One of the 2021 Honorary Doctorate recipients, Justice Gregory Regis, shared his personal and professional journey from growing up in a small, impoverished village in St. Lucia to becoming a journalism student at Ryerson and, in 1999, being appointed the first non-white judge to sit on the bench of the Ontario Court of Justice. Regis encouraged the graduates to fully embrace opportunities to be leaders. 

“There are signs that the world may be ready to change for the better. Your Ryerson education has prepared you to take advantage of that,” Regis said. “You have a chance to reimagine the world…I want you to imagine yourselves in leadership positions, in all areas of society…I want you to consciously get off the sidelines and take your place as a fully participating citizen. You have a right to be seated at the table.”

Black Excellence initiatives are organized in partnership with the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion; Office of the Vice-Provost, Students (Tri-Mentoring Program, and Student Life Programs); Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic (Experiential Learning) and Alumni Relations. Stay tuned for more information about the third annual Black Graduation Celebration in June 2022. If you would like to get involved with Black Excellence initiatives, please email blackexcellence@torontomu.ca.