Black History Month event explores authenticity at work
Congratulations to the members of the Black Business Graduate Students Association (BBGSA), Morgan Blackett and Lex Stackhouse, President and Vice President, on their Black History Month event “Showing Up While Black: Authenticity in the Workplace.”
The event, which took place at the DMZ Sandbox on Feb. 27, was organized in association with the BlackNorth Initiative (BNI). The purpose of this occasion was to celebrate authenticity and what that means for the Black community, while shining light on the complex relationship that Black people across the “post”-colonial world have to that idea, organizers said.
“It’s very important that we foster a sense of community that empowers Black professionals to be true to themselves and provides tools to thrive while doing so,” Lex Stackhouse, Vice President, explained. “BBGSA is excited about continuing the important work of uplifting our communities, supporting one another, and advancing together.”
Keneisha Charles, a fourth-year student in the School of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), delivered a powerful spoken word piece about onomatology, the study of the meaning of names. Their piece spoke about an all-too-common micro-aggression that Black people and others from diverse backgrounds/cultures face, which is people mispronouncing their names and/or calling them by completely different names. Mandissa Arlain, a Business Librarian at TMU presented on anti-Black racism, its prevalence in Canada, and the way it’s embedded in every aspect of society.
Morgan Blackett, President of BBGSA, said, “it was important that we included this into the programming. As Black people, we live these experiences, we know these things happen, but we cannot understate how prevalent these issues are. Also, we cannot take for granted that there are people in the audience who may not know. This is an opportunity to educate.”
Al Ramsay, VP 2LGBTQ+ and Black Customer Segments at TD Bank, and also a TMU alumni, delivered an uplifting address on his journey throughout his life and career thus far as a Black, gay man, who is also an immigrant from Jamaica. He spoke on the importance of having a community who sees you for who you are, so that you’re equipped with the self-assurance needed to navigate the spaces where you may face resistance.
The program also included an all-female panel, consisting of Dahabo Ahmed-Omer (Executive Director at BNI), Natalie Redda (DEI Engagement Lead at the Black Professionals in Tech Network (external link, opens in new window) ), and Lia Langworthy (filmmaker, writer, and educator), and moderated by Ibiyemi Balogun (Graduate Careers & Student Engagement Manager at the Ted Rogers School of Management). Each panelist had a vastly different definition of authenticity, though they each provided incredible insight on the state of their respective industries and valuable takeaways on self-cultivation and self-preservation in both the professional and personal spheres of life.
To join the BBGSA or stay up to date with programming initiatives, visit their linktr.ee (external link, opens in new window) today. For any questions, reach out to trsm.bbgsa@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) .