ARCDO Celebrates Black History Month!
The motion to officially recognize February as Black History Month was introduced in the House of Commons in 1995 by the first Black woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. The University joins in celebrating and recognizing the change makers of African descent in Canadian history, who shaped the fabric of Canadian society and impacted innovation in all sectors including science, engineering, medicine, public health, education, politics, and the arts.
ARCDO invites the University of Toronto and external community members to join us for our upcoming programming in recognition and celebration of Black History Month.
If you require accommodation, please email s.baig@utoronto.ca and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.
February 6, 2023 • 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Black History Month Symposium – What Has Changed: The Role of Attitudinal Barriers to Advancing Black Inclusion
Event objectives:
- Understand attitudinal barriers that manifest in current and historical perceptions about Blackness and Black communities;
- Identify and discuss the role of post-secondary environments and attitudinal barriers that impact efforts to address systemic anti-Black racism;
- Identify and discuss the strategies, tools and resources to strengthen advocacy and EDI transformation efforts to address intersectional forms of anti-Black racism in post-secondary environments.
Performance:
Michelle Bookal (she/her)
U of T Alumni, 2018
Registered Nurse
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Traditional African Opening:
Aina-Nia Ayo’dele (she/her)
Spiritual Leadership Coach / Ancient Wisdom Teacher
Aina-Nia Journey Learning Inc.
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Opening Remarks:
Dr. Njoki Wane, Professor & Chair, Department of Social Justice Education, OISE – University of Toronto
Charmaine Williams (she/her), Dean & Professor, Faculty of Social Work – University of Toronto
Followed by a panel discussion
Moderator
Cherilyn Scobie Edwards (she/her)
Director, Equity Diversity and Inclusion Office
University of Toronto Scarborough
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Panelist
Dr. Andrew Campbell (he/him)
Assistant Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto
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Panelist
Teeanna Munro (she/her)
Project Coordinator, Black Perspectives Office
Concordia University
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Panelist
Nancy Simms, MA & ADR (she/her)
Ed.D Candidate, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law
University of Toronto
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Format: Opening remarks followed by a panel discussion with Black leaders within post-secondary education.
Platform: Virtual – Zoom. Accessibility information for Zoom.
Audience: Students, staff, faculty, and external community
Cost: Free
This event has passed.
February 10, 2023 • 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
Rest as Resistance
We have been deeply impacted by the last three years, and rather than fighting systems of oppression or anti-blackness with our words, I invite participants to engage with practices that root ourselves in our right to rest and engage in community care. The session will start off with a gentle meditation and movement. This session is for Black participants to engage with the practice of being, rather than consistently doing, an invitation to reframing cultures of overworking and productivity. This session is informed by the work of Tricia Hersey – rest as resistance.
Facilitator
Yamikani Msosa (they/them)
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Format: Virtual – Zoom Platform. Accessibility information for Zoom.
Audience: Students, staff, and faculty at the University of Toronto who identify as members of Black community.
Cost: Free
This event has passed.
February 28, 2023 • 7:30 pm- 9:30 pm • ARCDO is excited to be a partner with Hart House and The Multi-Faith Centre for this event
Nation Building through Poetry: A Poet Laureate Cypher
Performers:
Titilope Sonuga, Poet, Playwright & Performer
Randell Adjei, Transformational Speaker, Spoken Word Practitioner & Arts Educator
Rebecca Thomas, Poet, Outdoor Educator & Children’s Literature Author
Location:
Hart House Theatre
7 Hart House Circle
University of Toronto
Format: In-Person
Audience: Students, staff, and faculty and external community.
This event has passed.
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We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through.
Rosemary Brown