Building Connections for Black Flourishing: Laurier and University of Waterloo co-host Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter

May 22, 2024

Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo jointly hosted the 2024 Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter May 9 and 10. The forum, originating from the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education, provided an opportunity for faculty, staff and students from institutions across Canada to discuss strategies for combatting anti-Black racism and building Black inclusion within the sector. 

“Thank you to the 300 individuals from over 60 institutions from across Canada who joined in dialogue and the Laurier and UW faculty and staff who led and hosted the event,” said Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy. “Engaging everyone, from administrative leaders to faculty, staff, students and broader communities, is crucial in effecting meaningful change. I am excited for the opportunities this forum presents – to think collectively and creatively as we move forward with our commitment to nurturing Black flourishing across the sector.”  

This year’s theme, “Bridging Black,” aimed to bridge gaps in learning and action and build better connections between stakeholders at higher education institutions, including senior administration, faculty, staff, students and neighbouring Black communities.

The second day of the forum, hosted at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Laurier, began with a presentation on “Black Experiences in Higher Education” by Jada Koushik. Having recently completed her PhD fellowship in anti-racism and anti-oppression at Laurier, Koushik presented her research on the experiences of racialized students in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. The presentation was followed by breakout discussions, where participating students, staff and faculty met with colleagues and peers to exchange experiences and ideas about how to advance their work confronting anti-Black racism. 

Tolu Kayode, associate director of student life and experience at Laurier, reflected on the importance of storytelling and community building.

“Our goal was to create a safe and comfortable space for participants to share their experiences from various campuses across the country,” said Kayode. “Storytelling is a focal part of community building; it allows various members to share knowledge, resources and experiences, all to strengthen our connections and bonds. We tried to direct the conversation as little as possible. The group was energetic and they drove the session.”

The forum also featured a panel on Black Studies, moderated by Paul Ugor, professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo. Panelists included Naila Keleta-Mae, associate professor at the University of Waterloo; Melanie Katsivo, a project management professional with expertise in addressing complex issues in healthcare and public health; James Oloo, assistant professor of educational administration, policy and leadership at the University of Windsor; and Vershawn Young, a multi-disciplinary artist, educator and scholar in Black Studies. 

“Black Studies breaks down disciplinary silos in academia, offering interdisciplinary possibilities rooted in a history of combining community service and scholarship,” said Keleta-Mae. “It's about more than research confined to academic spaces; it's about improving the quality of life for Black people and therefore many other people too.”

Drawing the forum to a close, community counsellor and educator Rayanne Banaga led a presentation on “Practicing Black Joy.” Banaga’s insights underscored the transformative power of joy within Black communities and emphasized the importance of creating inclusive educational environments where Black people, especially Black youth, feel safe and empowered to express their joy.

“The past two days provided a space for administrators, faculty, students, and community members alike to reflect on the unique grain of racist violence evoked on Black people in our society,” said Ciann Wilson, associate professor and chair of the Laurier Anti-Black Racism Working Group. “We have also had the opportunity to reflect on the strides we have made as a result of advocacy in our communities, largely by our young people. We are committed to harnessing the momentum and spirit of the Scarborough Charter commitments to foster accountability processes and meaningful change on these issues in the post-secondary sector as we look forward.”

Learn more about the 2024 Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter.