Black Initiatives at TMU

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is home to a variety of initiatives dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black students, faculty, and staff. From mentorship and community events to academic support and research initiatives- explore programs, resources and spaces designed to support Black community members across campus.

Black Student Success and Engagement

Black Student Success and Engagement is led by the Office of the Vice-Provost Students (OVPS) at TMU and is dedicated to empowering Black students through tailored services, events, and community Connections. Visit the Black Student Success and Engagement (BSSE) website to explore programming and resources available for Black Students including:

• Black Student Lounge (open to Black students, staff and faculty)
• Counselling for Black Students
• Black Group Mentorship
• Black Student Success Events
• Black Student Clubs and Organizations
• Black Flourishing Conference

And more!

 Email: bsl@torontomu.ca

Black Faculty and Staff Employee Network

The Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) supports the work of community networks in collaboration with various campus partners. TMU’s Black Employee Community Network is a supportive group of Black faculty and staff dedicated to enhancing Black excellence, community and cultural diversity at the University.

 Email: bfscn@torontomu.ca

Black Excellence Initiatives

Initiatives centered around celebrating the power, achievements, and successes of the Black community. These initiatives create opportunities for Black students, faculty, and staff to authentically share space and to redefine the meaning of community at TMU. Initiatives include the Black Excellence Committee, and the Black Excellence Graduation & Black Excellence Mixer.

To register and learn about upcoming mixers and celebrations, visit the Black Excellence events page.

 Email: blackexcellence@torontomu.ca

Black Student Advisory Committee

This committee focuses on centering the experience of Black students and promoting Black student success and overall well being.

 Phone: 416-979-5379

 Email: piccabr@torontomu.ca

To receive news and updates on recruitment:

• Sign up with this Google form.
• Recruitment begins yearly in the summer and the committee starts every fall term, ending in the winter term.

Black Food Sovereignty Initiatives

Black Food Sovereignty Initiatives engage the Black community through farm-to-table food sharing, while challenging systemic racism in food production and urban agriculture. The Urban Farm offers two Black Food Sovereignty Initiatives: the Harvest Collective & the Learning Circle. 

 Email: urbanfarm@torontomu.ca

The Black Scholarship Institute 

The Black Scholarship Institute (BSI) is a pan-university initiative aimed at advancing scholarship and research within the Black community. Its mandate is to amplify and promote the work of Black scholars and embed Afro-centric learning across disciplines.

 Email: tmubsi@torontomu.ca

Viola Desmond Student Bursary

The Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary Program promotes Black flourishing, shining a light on the phenomenal Black women and Black gender-diverse people whose labour, creativity, passion, and skills are positively impacting the entire TMU community.

All applications are considered, evaluated, and awarded by the Viola Desmond Planning Committee. The recipient is awarded $1,000.

To be eligible, you must:

• Self-identify as a woman or gender-diverse person.
• Self-identify as Black.
• Be currently enrolled as a student at TMU and have clear academic standing (minimum 1.67 cumulative grade point average is required for consideration).
• Be a positive role model and advocate of the Black community.
• Have demonstrated involvement in the community through extracurricular activities both on campus and/or in the community.

 Email: violadesmond@torontomu.ca