How TMU Celebrated Black History Month in 2024
In February 2024, as part of Black History Month, there were various on-campus and virtual opportunities for Black-identifying community members to connect and celebrate this critical time. TMU released various news features of Black success stories spotlighting students, faculty and staff members. As a Black student, reading about how various fellow Black students are succeeding in academics, sports, and careers has empowered me to not relent on my goals so I can one day inspire others.
Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for Black students, staff, faculty and community members. For example, the Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report (opens in new window) was a key tool that highlighted the experiences of Black-identifying students, staff and faculty and outlined recommendations to confront anti-Black racism at the university. One outcome of this report was the re-launch of The Black Student Lounge (opens in new window) , where Black-identifying students are often seen hosting school club events and networking; the lounge also allows us to express our individuality in an identity-affirming space.
The university hosted an array of events; from fun dance parties and photoshoots to insightful events and discussions, we had a busy Black History Month here at TMU! I asked my fellow Black international students to pick some of their favourite events they attended and share some insights into their experiences.
Olo Longe, a fellow Nigerian and first-year Business Technology Management student attended the Black Excellence Mixer: A Renaissance of Our Own, hosted by the Black Excellence Committee (opens in new window) – a committee established at TMU to foster belonging and Black flourishing at the university– and the Black History Month Dance Party with Dione. Olo shared that the mixer offered more than just a chance to socialize. “It was an amazing experience where I got to network, indulge in delicious food, engage in fun games, listen to captivating artists, and, most importantly, celebrate and learn more about Black Excellence."
"It felt like a home away from home, where the vibrant atmosphere enveloped me in a sense of belonging."
“The dance party was the perfect way to de-stress from the studying I’ve had to do for my upcoming midterms. I had a great time dancing to music from various cultures. My top picks were the Afrobeat tunes—they really got me pumped, being Nigerian and all. Trying out different dance styles was also really fun. I even got a proper lesson in doing legwork, but my lack of dancing skills made it a bit chaotic, yet still enjoyable!”
Other engaging events included the Bold, Beautiful & Brilliant Pop-Up Photoshoot hosted by Mark Stoddart, in which attendees had their moment in the spotlight! Second-year Computer Science student Beamlak Tareke attended the event and reached out to share more. “The event was centred around creating a unique space for personalized photos that capture the bold, beautiful, and brilliant essence. Guests were purchasing a Black History Month-branded t-shirt designed by Mark Stoddart (opens in new window) —a Toronto-based artist, designer and activist. The t-shirt had a great design with the words “Bold,” Beautiful”, “Brilliant," “Bravery,” “Optimistic,” and “Destiny” that reflect the importance of Black History Month and celebrate Black culture. In my opinion, I believe such events address the lack of diversity in the beauty industry. The university, by creating this event, is supporting the narrative that all Black is beautiful!”
Lastly, Osanyem Osadabe, a good friend and current fourth-year Computer Science student, chose to attend The Black Histories Edit-a-thon + Wikipedia and Wikidata Training, which was partly organized by the Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries (opens in new window) . “It was an incredible experience”, according to Osanyem. “The event revolved around empowering individuals to contribute to the representation of Black histories on Wikipedia and Wikidata, two of the largest free repositories of historical data in the digital world. The hosts were the knowledgeable library and archives staff and students at the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto Public Library, and York University who guided us through the intricacies of these platforms, such as creating Wikipedia accounts and editing interfaces and best practices when editing, emphasizing the importance of factual information.” Osanyem spoke with one of the hosts, who attended a similar session in 2023 and wanted the opportunity to spread the knowledge she had gained. “She highlighted that beyond introducing people to the technical aspects of editing,” Osanyem shared, “the goal was to unite people to improve the representation of Black Historical figures and events. The goal echoed through the Edit-a-thon was clear – to enhance awareness and appreciation for the diverse contributions of Black individuals throughout history.”
Overall, I am impressed by the university's steps to create awareness and celebration of Black students, staff and faculties during Black History Month. As we close the month of February, I am optimistic and energized by what will happen next year and its lasting positive effects on my fellow Black-identifying students.