Embracing excellence and community with Black graduates
The fifth annual Black Excellence Graduation Celebration recognized students who graduated in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. All photos by Sarita Louis.
On June 13, about 150 Black graduating students donned a Kente stole and celebrated their achievements at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) as they begin a new chapter in their lives. The Black Excellence Graduation Celebration is a milestone event that showcases the power, achievements and successes of the diverse community at TMU.
Identity-affirming events like the Black Excellence Graduation Celebration are crucial for cultivating Black flourishing and offering meaningful opportunities for Black students to feel valued and respected, while forging multi-generational relationships.
Ebenezer Hans Mensaah (middle) hopes to continue working as a digital marketer as he graduates with a master’s degree in digital media from TMU.
International student Ebenezer Hans Mensaah moved to Toronto from Ghana and loved his experience at TMU because of how diverse the campus is. “I had lots of exposure, and I love Toronto because it’s full of diversity. I found it easy to make friends and find a community here,” he said.
“Being at this event makes you feel like part of a community; it’s inclusive. Being Black and seeing a lot of Black people is encouraging,” Mensaah said.
The event was hosted by TMU alum Justin Bobb and Danielle Taylor, internship coordinator at The Creative School.
Accompanied by their loved ones and a supportive campus community, Black graduates enjoyed live music by Toronto artist The CHMST (external link) , a choir performance led by Renee Rowe, prize giveaways and remarks by keynote speaker Grace-Camille Munroe, interim director of TMU’s Black Scholarship Institute.
The event started with a private pre-celebration where Black graduating students enjoyed campus trivia, decorated a memory book, wrote letters to their future selves and signed thank you cards to loved ones who supported them in their journeys.
Toronto artist Ashante Blackwood (@_artisticlifestyle6) worked on her new piece called ‘Juneteenth Baddie’ live at the event. She produces portraits and concept art.
“It’s special to have a space where we can all come together to give thanks for having the opportunity to be here, and say, ‘yes, you did it and you can do so much more.’”
Ashley-Ann Malcolm (middle) graduated from TMU’s social work program. She said her parents (at left) grounded her in every value she knows, and always pushed her to do better and be better. “They came here from Jamaica, and never really got the opportunities that I have, so it’s a really important moment to share with them,” she said.
Building community
Finding community during their time at TMU was an important part of the students’ university experience. While some Black students leaned into their extroverted side to meet new people, others joined clubs and committees or found other ways to get involved on campus.
“I joined a couple of clubs like the Black Business Students Association to feel like I was a part of campus life and had a community again after the pandemic,” said Amanuel Mulualem Dinberu who graduated from the business technology management program at Ted Rogers School of Management.
“I really do feel like the Black community at TMU is a big community but it’s not as tight-knit as it could be,” he said. “Events like this really highlight the Black excellence in the community and allow us to all give each other praise together. I will have my own convocation next week, but I already know there might be three Black students in the entire graduating class. An event like this builds on the feeling of having a Black community at TMU.”
Amanuel Mulualem Dinberu (far right) took part in TMU’s co-op program and completed five internships during his time at the university. “I have a lot of gratitude for today. I’ve come a long way and I’m happy to finally be here,” he said.
TMU alumna Kate Tutu reflected on her personal journey as a TMU sociology student, sharing significant moments that shaped her experience. While at the university, Tutu worked as a research assistant for many projects and supported co-op students in developing an equity lens. She co-created and advocated for inclusive professional spaces, and supported programs to improve the recruitment outcomes of students with disabilities in co-op.
Cultivating Black flourishing
The need for designated spaces and events for Black students has been highlighted for the past decade by TMU’s Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, and is echoed in student, staff and faculty feedback. It was formalized as a recommendation in TMU’s 2020 (PDF file) Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report, reflecting the university’s collective commitment to Black students, faculty and staff.
The fifth annual Black Excellence Graduation Celebration was organized by the Black Excellence Committee – a collaboration between the Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students (Tri-Mentoring Program and Student Life Programs) and Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (Talent Management Centre of Expertise).