TMU’s Black Scholarship Institute celebrates two years
For the last two years, TMU’s Black Scholarship Institute has been cultivating conditions where Black heritage is honoured and Black brilliance can thrive. Its director, Dr. Grace Camille-Munroe, envisions TMU as a premier destination where Black scholarship flourishes and leaves a lasting lineage that collectively transforms the academy.
Housed in the Faculty of Community Services, the institute is a pan-university research centre serving the interests of all Black scholars across the university. It supports faculty members, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows across the full spectrum of their career cycle at TMU, and carves new pathways for Black youth to enter higher education.
It also collaborates with academic departments and units to integrate Black scholarship and Afro-centric perspectives into teaching and curriculum; scholarly, research and creative activity; and the engagement, retention, promotion and leadership of Black faculty members.
Why does TMU need the institute?
Dr. Munroe: “The data speaks to it. At TMU, Black tenure track professors make up only 6% of the full complement — a woeful gap but an opportunity for growth and expansion. TMU must be intentional in addressing underrepresentation, chronic marginalization and anti-Black racism.
"Black history didn’t start with slavery, deprivation, and struggle. We have a long history of joy, excellence, and success. Rooted in ubuntu and ancestral wisdom, we are changing the narrative, facilitating new pathways, and building a legacy of Afro-Diasporic learning, research, perspectives and culture in service to generations to come"
What makes TMU’s initiative unique?
Dr. Munroe: “A major differentiator is that our work is rooted in the ubuntu ethic — that is, collective care, collective upliftment, shared abundance — which grounds our rooted and rising capacity-building series and events
Unlike other institutions that focus primarily on research or student support, we tailor support through the full continuum of culturally grounded professional development — from onboarding through tenure and leadership — as well as co-created events to amplify Black scholarship and expertise while strengthening community connections.”
How to get involved
The institute is calling on Black scholars to join — including faculty members, lecturers, librarians, staff, graduate and post-graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and community partners.
By becoming a member, you enter an Afrocentric scholarly community built on the "village" model. You gain “lifecycle scaffolded supports”, opportunities to amplify your scholarship and expertise, as well as engage in interdisciplinary research and innovation collaborations. You will be in a sacred community to connect and collaborate.
If you are interested in becoming a member, view the (google doc) BSI Membership FAQs (external link) and email Director Grace-Camille Munroe. If you represent an academic department/unit and are interested in collaborating to support Black scholars and amplify their scholarship across TMU, fill in an (google form) affiliate membership form (external link) .
“Beyond having Black representation, we are transforming TMU into a place where Black scholars feel that they matter, that they belong, and that they are rooted and supported to rise and make an impact at TMU and beyond.”
Origins
The Black Scholarship Institute arose from one of 14 recommendations following a TMU campus climate review confirming widespread anti-Black racism across learning, teaching and working environments.
Visionaries paved the way for the institute, including Professor Emeritus Akua Benjamin, Dr. Denise O'Neil Green, Darryl Bowden, the Black Student Collective, and many others. Through public online consultations, the Black community also played a significant role in shaping the institute’s vision, mission, and strategic and operational direction.
- 2019: TMU conducts a campus climate review on anti-Black racism
- 2021: The Presidential Implementation Committee for Confronting Anti-Black Racism (PICCBAR) begins responding to report recommendations
- 2023: TMU’s Black Scholarship Institute is launched
- 2025: The institute is established under Senate Policy 144
SDG Watch: Reduced Inequalities
Through its investment in amplifying, supporting and creating equitable pathways, the Black Scholarship Institute is contributing to TMU’s global ranking on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #10 for Reduced Inequalities (external link) .
Meet the director
Institute director Dr. Grace-Camille Munroe brings 20+ years of international experience in education, government services, applied research, and social and public policy development focused on educational improvement initiatives. Prior to her appointment, she managed projects and operations at TMU’s Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism.
Visit the Black Scholarship Institute website.