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.

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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
View Bio

 

Traditional African Opening:

Aina-Nia Ayo’dele (she/her)
Spiritual Leadership Coach / Ancient Wisdom Teacher
Aina-Nia Journey Learning Inc.
View Bio

 

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

 

 

Registration closed

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. 

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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)
View Bio

Registration Closed

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. 

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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

Registration Closed

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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Past Events

 

2022 Events | 2021 Events | 2020 Events