Events celebrating diversity and inclusion take place throughout the year.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — March 21

In 1996, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) in memory of the 69 people who died after police opened fire on a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.

IDERD is observed annually on March 21 as a way of drawing the world's attention to the ongoing work of eliminating all forms of racism and racial discrimination. IDERD is more than a day. It is a daily commitment to doing our part to end racism.

Panel Discussion
Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 12 – 1:30p.m. | Windsor Grand Room
Our International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination panel discussion will bring together a diverse group of racialized individuals to share their perspectives and experiences in combating racism. Through personal stories, insights, and strategies, the panelists will explore the challenges faced by racialized communities, discuss effective measures to promote racial equity and inclusion, and offer actionable steps towards building a more just and equitable society for all.

Speakers:

  • Duaa Khan – International Admissions Officer
  • Kevinique Stubbs – Admission Officer
  • Aiko Valeria Aguilar Jiménez – Student, Double Major in International Relations and Psychology, and minoring in Japanese Studies
  • Manley Liu – Post Graduate First Generation Program Intern
  • Mahamadou Dahani – Assistant Don, BSc in Science with major in Aviation and with a double minor in Math and Geography

 


Black History Month — February

Black History Month is about honouring the enormous contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of Canadian society. It is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination to work towards a more inclusive and equitable country called Canada.

2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THU., FEB. 1

12:00 p.m.
Pan-African Flag Raising

2:00 p.m. | WMSC 125
CCDI webinar viewing: Celebrating Black History Month Through Story
In this webinar, we will share stories from multiple lenses, highlighting different voices and experiences from within and across Canadian Black Communities.

6:30 p.m. | Tweedie Hall
Black History Month Kickoff Reception
Celebrate the start of Black History Month with good food and music as we embark on a month-long journey to honour and recognize the contributions of Black individuals throughout history. Formal event.

Black History Month Argosy issue released

FRI., FEB. 2

11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Jennings Dining Hall
Food Feature at Jennings

SAT., FEB. 3

10:30 p.m. | Ducky's Bar
Black Students' Union (BSU) Event
Join the BSU for a BHM celebration featuring all Black artists in genres such as hip hop, rap, afrobeat, and Caribbean music. DJ starts at 10 p.m. and cover is $5 (cash preferred). Fundraising event for the BSU.

MON., FEB. 5

10:00 a.m.-2 p.m. | BRIC (WMSC 124)
Boardgame Café
Whether you're a seasoned strategist or a casual player, there's a game for everyone. Coffee, tea, treats, and games will be provided.

TUE., FEB. 6

4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. | R.P. Bell Library
Scavenger Hunt
An Afrofuturism-themed scavenger hunt. Follow clues, solve riddles, and navigate the vast shelves. Grab a team of four or go solo and let the library become your world to explore. Prizes will be provided.

WED., FEB. 7

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. | R.P. Bell Library
Black Drag Storytelling
Where storytelling meets the artistry of drag with storyteller, Normani. Light refreshments will be provided. For all ages.

THU., FEB. 8

12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | Virtual via Teams
Black Women Leaders Experiences in Higher Ed (virtual)

Details

In the Leadership under Fire virtual interview series, the Critical Internationalization Studies Network (CISN) brings current and past leaders of IHE to shed light on their experiences — good, bad, and somewhere in between. 

In the second episode of this series, Ms. Priscillia Tsuasam, (Doctoral Student, Memorial), will interview:

  • Danai Bélanger (Director, Student Experiences, MtA)
  • Rohene Bouajram (Associate Director, IBPOC Initiatives, UBC)
  • Dr. Shetina Jones (AVP of Student Experience, UWindsor) will provide an opening statement 

CISN is collaborating with Memorial University’s International Development Week organizing committee and the Doctoral Seminar series of the Faculty of Education and Internationalization of Student Affairs, a CoP of CACUSS.

 

2:00 p.m. | Virtual or in-person viewing WMSC 125
Black Professionals Panel Discussion

Details

Dive into an insightful exploration of success, challenges, and empowerment at out Black Professionals Panel Discussion.

Join accomplished individuals from diverse fields as they share their journeys, insights, and strategies for overcoming obstacles. This engaging discussion offers a unique opportunity to gain inspiration and learn from experiences of Black professionals who have excelled in their respective careers.

Panelists include:

  • Al and Karen Ferron — Founders of Ferron Family Farms. Al and Karen embarked on a bold journey in 2021, leaving city life in Ontario to establish their 137-acre family-owned farm in Carleton County, New Brunswick. Specializing in high-quality, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meat, they offer authentic goat meat, beef, lamb, pork, and chicken, complemented by imported West Indian and cultural goods. Al's Jamaican upbringing and Karen's Canadian experiences blend agricultural knowledge and marketing backgrounds. Ferron Family Farms promotes food sovereignty directly from the farm, inspired during the COVID lockdown, leading to their relocation with their four children to New Brunswick, prioritizing family and growth. They proudly established their farm dream as first-generation farmers. Al and Karen were honoured recipients of the 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Black Business Initiative-Atlantic.
     
  • Shanyce Jones — Behavioural Connections. Bermudian-born Shanyce Jones found her calling as a behaviour interventionist working summers in the Child and Adolescent Services department at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute. After graduating from Warwick Academy in 2011, Ms Jones went on to complete her undergraduate psychology degree in 2016 at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. Not long after, an opportunity presented itself to work with children with autism, and that sparked her interest in continuing in that field of work. After enjoying that experience, Ms Jones decided to pursue a master’s degree in psychology while also specialising in applied behavioural analysis at Capella University in Minneapolis. Ms Jones graduated with a master’s degree in 2018. Ms Jones’s area of expertise and focus has been working with neuro-diverse children and youth. “Neuro-diverse is anyone who has autism, ADHD, anxiety, maybe depression or any kind of trauma. They experience the world in a different way, and they learn in different ways as everyone does. But they learn in a specific way and they need specific programming that will help them succeed in life,” Ms Jones said. Four years ago, while working with a child psychologist in Canada, Ms Jones finally decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship. “In 2020 and when everything shut down, I was previously working with a local child psychologist in Halifax, and she would refer me clients. She shut down when Covid hit,” Ms Jones said. “And in the summer, in August, she decided she didn't want to continue with the programme, so I decided I could do it on my own. I have a master’s in psychology, so I opened my own practice, and that’s how it started,” In 2021, Ms Jones opened her consulting service, Behavioural Connections, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her business offers a variety of services including autism evaluations, developmental assessments and behaviour analysis evaluations.
     
  • William Tarr — Royal LePage Atlantic. William holds a joint M.Sc. degree in Regional Development Planning & Management from the Technical University of Dortmund (Germany) and the University of Philippine Diliman (Philippines). William is the go-to person at the Newcomers Centre for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot project. He provides support to designated employers, helping them settle their newly hired foreign skilled staff coming to Saint John and developing settlement plans for employees that are already in Canada. William moved to Saint John in the summer of 2011 to join his family, and today he is very proud to call Saint John his home. Himself a newcomer, William brings to our team a wealth of experience not only from his successful settlement in Saint John, but also from working within the settlement sector for the past three years. He is very passionate about making Saint John an inclusive community welcoming people from all around the world and from all walks of life. Apart from helping newcomers to get a good start in their new community, William enjoys speaking on issues pertaining to immigration, refugees and cultural competency. When William isn’t working on Immigration and cultural competencies, he is helping newcomers to buy or sell a home. That’s is the commitment he made to guide homeowners and sellers to make great decisions.

FRI., FEB. 9

11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Jennings Dining Hall
Food Feature at Jennings

3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | BRIC (WMSC 124)
Black Hair Care (only for Black MtA community)
Whether you’re a natural hair enthusiast or seeking guidance, join us for an inclusive conversation that celebrates the versatility and richness of Black hair care. Our guest will share tips and personal experiences, fostering community where everyone can feel empowered and informed about the unique care needs of Black hair.

WED., FEB. 14

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | BRIC (WMSC 124)
Valentine's Day: Friendship bracelet-making
Bring your friends or make new ones as you make bracelets together in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. A Valentine’s Day celebration that embraces the joy of friendship. Light refreshments provided.

THU., FEB. 15

2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | BRIC (WMSC 124)
Sexualized Violence Service Outreach Booth
Join Jade Lister, Sexualized Violence Response Consultant, for open conversations, resources, and information addressing the intersectionality of sexualized violence within the Black community.

6:30 p.m. | R.P. Bell Library Theatre (3rd floor)
Move screening: Summer of Soul
In partnership with Dr. Geordie Miller and Arts 1001. Movie starts at 7 p.m.

FRI., FEB. 16

11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Jennings Dining Hall
Food Feature at Jennings

SAT., FEB. 17

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | BRIC (WMSC 124)
'Braids and Fades' Barber Visit

SUN., FEB. 18
 

4:00 p.m. | McCormack Gym, Athletic Centre
Mounties Men's Basketball game — announcement at halftime

TUE., FEB. 20

1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. | BRIC (WMSC 124)
Movie screening: Us (by Jordan Peele)

TUE., FEB. 27

6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | BRIC (WMSC 124)
Black Minds Matter: Mental Health and Wellness in the Black Community
With the objective to create a safe and empowering space for Black students at Mount Allison — through reflective discussions, psychoeducation, and community building, participants will explore the historical context of mental health stigma, its impact on the Black community and strategies for reclaiming their identity and normalizing mental health.

WED., FEB. 28

7:00 p.m. | Owens Art Gallery
Movie screening: Get Out

THU., FEB. 29

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. | Fitness Centre Studio (WMSC)
Celebrating Black joy through movement with Villij
An expert instructor from TrapSoul Yoga (virtual) will guide you through slow and intentional movements focused on stretching, lengthening, and deepening. Beginner-friendly and open to all abilities.

Resources on Black History in Canada

Mount Allison Anti-Racism Policy

Mount Allison's Anti-Racism Policy covers students, staff, and faculty and lays out a process for responding to complaints and reports of racism on campus. 

To make a complaint, to reach out for help, or to seek guidance under the policy, contact the Anti-Racism Education and Response Team (ARERT) at antiracism@mta.ca. The ARERT is comprised of 7 members (4 staff, 2 students, 1 faculty) and is tasked with responding to complaints of racism, and facilitating anti-racism awareness and education on campus.

Take action every day

The following resources help provide education around racism, unconscious bias, microaggressions, and more, and suggest ways you can support the ongoing work of eliminating all forms of racism and racial discrimination.

Anti-racism resources
Unconscious bias
Microaggressions

Microaggressions in the classroom

Indigenous Canadian University Students’ Experiences of Microaggressions

Tool: Recognizing Microaggressions and the Messages They Send (pdf) (Adapted from Sue, Derald Wing, Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation, Wiley & Sons, 2010)

When and How to Respond to Microaggressions (Harvard Business Review, 2020)

Responding Effectively to Microaggressions: A Research-Based Workshop (pdf) Christy M. Byrd, PhD University of California, Santa Cruz

Additional resources

UN IDERD homepage

UN "Let's Fight Racism" — real life stories, how to fight racism, educational resources

Stand Up 4 Human Rights (#FightRacism) — information about hate speech, how to take action, more resources

UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) — decade-long campaign to recognize, promote, and protect the right to equality and non-discrimination

Fight Against Racism & Discrimination (UNESCO) — Toolkit for Canadian municipalities

Public Health Resources for Anti-Racism Action — (National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health)