By Dr. Arig al Shaibah, Associate Vice-President Equity & Inclusion
Sankofa is a Ghanaian term and Andrinka symbol that means “to go back and retrieve”. The concept conveys a fundamental Afrocentric principle – that to positively move forward, one must reflect on, honour and learn from the past.
Each February, Black History Month invites us to practice the principle of sankofa. The month is not only dedicated to acknowledging historical harms endured by people of Black/African descent, but also to recognizing the persistent impacts of contemporary manifestations of anti-Black racism and discrimination in social institutions, including the education system.
While raising awareness about, and naming, past and present harms is essential, affirming the enduring spirit and honouring the extraordinary contributions of Black communities to Canadian society – in the face of these systemic barriers – is as, if not more, important.
National context and commitments
Acknowledging the distinct experiences of Black people as a historically, persistently, and systemically marginalized group, the Government of Canada has in recent years initiated several bespoke initiatives to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination.
For example, in 2023, the Government of Canada accepted the recommendations of the Task Force on the Modernization of the Employment Equity Act and announced their intention to recognize Black workers as a new federally designated group. This will inform the way universities collect and report on faculty and staff demographic data and progress on employment equity goals. Additionally, in 2025, Canada’s Black Justice Strategy was launched, which included investments to support Black students and scholars.
These national directions hence guide and reinforce the commitments we continue to advance within the post‑secondary sector and, more specifically, across UBC.
UBC’s commitment to Black inclusion and excellence
At UBC specifically, our commitment to promote Black excellence was codified in 2021 when the university became a signatory to the Scarborough Charter – a Canadian blueprint for addressing anti-Black racism and supporting Black inclusion and flourishing in the higher education sector.
Since then, the university has been working to advance priorities identified in the recommendations of the Blackness Committee of the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force and implemented through UBC’s Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism Framework and Roadmap for Change.
UBC’s progress and key areas of action
To date, our assessment of UBC’s efforts to advance Black Excellence has revealed initiatives that span academic hiring, student supports, research funding and community‑building. It also revealed that the representation of Black students, faculty and staff varies across campuses and roles. And while representation of Black faculty and staff has seen some growth, it remains below the representation of Black people in the Canadian population. To that end, several initiatives are underway already to close the gap in representation and enhance Black employee experiences.
Highlights of initiatives identified in the 2025 Black Excellence Ecosystem Report include:
- Faculty and staff hiring initiatives - such as the Black Faculty Cohort Hiring Initiative and expanded postdoctoral and mentoring opportunities are underway to increase recruitment, retention, and advancement of Black scholars. A Black Faculty Network is also supported and active.
- Dedicated supports and spaces for Black students on both campuses – including Black Student Success programs at UBCO, Black Student Orientations, and dedicated cultural spaces that support connection, wellbeing, and academic success.
- Cross-campus research and community-building initiatives - include funding for Black-led research, networks for Black faculty and staff, and new scholarships supported through donor partnerships.
Additionally, more than half of UBC units that responded to our annual call to submit equity and anti-racism initiatives reported that they are implementing or sustaining work to support Black excellence at the local level.
Honouring community leadership
Importantly – and complementing institutional initiatives – it has also been inspiring to observe the depth, rigour and creativity of community-led efforts supported through the StEAR Enhancement Fund. Through the recent fall 2025 application cycle, more than $50,000 have been allocated to projects which – while diverse in scope and leadership – share a common purpose: strengthening supports, visibility, and community for Black students, faculty and staff across our university.
Projects include academic dialogues and mental‑wellness programming to cultural learning opportunities and leadership development – and we foresee more initiatives being funded through future calls.
Click here to learn about StEAR-funded projects led by or designed to support Black students, faculty and staff.
Black History Month in Political Science: Event Series
Recipient: Dr. Anna Jurkevics, Department of Political Science, UBC Vancouver
Funding amount: $6,740
The event series, Black History Month in Political Science, is a three-day academic and community-building project that will take place from February 26–28, 2025 at UBC. The events will celebrate and promote Black History Month through a series of intellectually rigorous and community-centered programs that highlights the research and contributions of Black scholars. It is also designed to foster dialogue among BIPOC faculty, students, and allies. By centering Black political thought and encouraging conversation around anti-racist scholarship, the project aims to advance UBC’s ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across both academic and social spaces.
Black Excellence in STEM (BEST) Speaker Series
Recipient: Areeba Amreen Asif, Dean’s Office, Faculty of Applied Science, UBC Vancouver
Funding amount: $5,228
Applied Science’s Black Excellence in STEM (BEST) Speaker Series 2026, now in its second year, is the Faculty’s Black History Month initiative. It amplifies the experiences, research, and technical skills of Black STEM scholars and professionals. Led by Black undergraduate students and the EDI office, the four-event series feature presentations, moderated Q&As, and networking to foster mentorship, visibility, and community. By increasing visibility of Black excellence in STEM, the series aims to offer representation and inspire equity-deserving students to pursue and persist in STEM fields.
BHM: Celebrating Black Community at UBC through Reflection, Art, and Joy
Recipient: UBC Black Student Union, AMS
Funding amount: $7,500
The UBC Black Student Union (BSU)’s Black History Month initiative aims to create a month of meaningful, inclusive, and celebratory events for Black students and allies. With support from StEAR funding, the BSU plans to host seven events that center artistry, reflection, and joy—ranging from a cultural dance class, improv workshop, and career panel to a Black Love Panel and Community Circle. Informal BSU Kickbacks will foster belonging, and the month will culminate in a Legacy Gala celebrating Black student excellence. This initiative uplifts Black identity, fosters connection, and makes Black History Month a time of pride, growth, and visibility at UBC.
Regions of Africa: A Cultural and Historical Learning Series
Recipient: UBC Africa Awareness Initiative, AMS
Funding amount: $5,750
The initiative is designed to deepen UBC students’ understanding of Africa’s diverse histories, cultures, and contemporary realities through five interactive sessions. Responding to the limited African studies programming at UBC, each session will explore a major region—North, West, East, Southern, and Central Africa—through expert talks, interactive activities, and community-building over food. The series aims to provide representation for African students while educating the broader community, challenging stereotypes, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. By celebrating Africa’s richness and complexity, the initiative promotes inclusion and encourages meaningful dialogue on campus.
UBC Black Mental Wellness Collective
Recipient: Aaliyah Awolesi, Cognitive Systems Program, UBC Vancouver
Funding amount: $7,000
The UBC Black Mental Wellness Collective (BMWC) is a peer-led initiative that supports the mental wellness, belonging, and overall wellbeing of Black-identifying students through culturally grounded, community-based programming. Created in response to gaps in existing wellness systems, BMWC offers intentional spaces that reflect the lived experiences of Black students. Programming includes the Black Wellness Circle, De-Stress and Connect, and media-based discussions on Blackness in academia. Across the year, BMWC will host at least 20 events and co-host a faculty partnership to strengthen cultural competence, foster connection, and build a sustainable resource hub that supports Black student retention and success.
Annual ACSC Legacy Gala
Recipient: African Caribbean Student Club, SUO, UBC Okanagan
Funding amount: $8,000
The ACSC Legacy Gala is an annual event hosted by the African Caribbean Student Club (ACSC) following the conclusion of Black History Month with a formal celebration. The Gala seeks to honour and celebrate Black excellence, instilling cultural pride among African and Caribbean students. By recognizing outstanding contributions within these communities, the event will promote a sense of belonging and highlight the importance of diversity, ultimately enhancing the overall university experience and generating a more inclusive atmosphere at UBC Okanagan and beyond.
Afrochella
Recipient: Fusion Dance Club, SUO, UBC Okanagan
Funding amount: $3,010
Afrochella, hosted by the Fusion Dance Club at UBCO, is a four-week Black History Month initiative that celebrates and educates through the vibrant art of African and Caribbean dance. Promoting cultural literacy, unity, and inclusion, the program offers a safe, joyful space for students, faculty, and staff to engage with Black culture. The first three weeks feature focused teaching sessions on Afrobeat, Amapiano, and Caribbean styles, with historical context shared for each. The series culminates in a grand intercultural celebration with global dance, food, and community, highlighting Black joy, resilience, and connection across campus.
Black Student Hair Care Workshop
Recipient: Black Student Association, SUO, UBC Okanagan
Funding amount: $1,669
The Black Student Hair Care Workshop is a three-day, hands-on event hosted by the Black Student Association from February 2–6 to kick off Black History Month. This initiative aims to break pervasive, harmful stereotypes about afro-textured hair by providing practical, culturally affirming education on topics such as washing, moisturizing, protective styling, and ingredient knowledge. Designed to empower and support Black students at UBC, the workshop promotes self-care, confidence, and identity. By addressing a specific, unmet need for culturally relevant resources, the project fosters a more inclusive, supportive campus environment where Black students feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Black Student Community Action & Response Team
Recipient: Stefanie Allen, Office of Associate Vice-President for Students, UBC Okanagan
Funding amount: $5,500
This initiative will bring together a paid cohort of Black-identifying UBCO students to co-develop institutional responses to racial harm, exclusion, and systemic gaps identified by their peers in partnership with UBC Okanagan Staff. Grounded in the StEAR Framework and ARIE Report, this initiative centers student leadership in shaping equity-driven change, with a focus on improving institutional accountability, communication, and support for Black students on the Okanagan Campus.
Looking forward together
This February, I invite our UBC community to celebrate the collective accomplishments in establishing distinct programs and services for Black students, faculty and staff and to recommit to the work that remains ahead – addressing systemic anti-Black racism and its profound impacts on educational access and success, as well as employment equity and thriving.
Guided by sankofa, we move forward by remembering where we have come from – and by continuing the collective work of creating a university where Black community members feel seen, supported, and empowered.
I encourage you to further explore opportunities to engage with Black History Month at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.