This February we celebrated Black Futures Month — an exciting initiative developed by George Brown College’s Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services (OAREHRS), Teaching and Learning Exchange (TLX) and Student Success. The college hosted virtual events celebrating Black innovation, Black excellence and Black joy.
“This has been a wonderful month,” says Jennifer Grant, Director, OAREHRS. “It’s been so invigorating and inspiring. If robust conversations, amazing Q&As, powerful presenters and engaged audiences are indicators of success, then I’d say Black Futures Month has overachieved."
While the 13-event lineup may have concluded, Grant says the work of Black Futures is ongoing.
“We are so pleased to have been given space in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts building at the Waterfront Campus to cultivate the Black Futures Hub. Over the coming months we will be working with the GBC community to build this space into a vibrant place of connection for Black students and employees and the broader community."
Grant also noted that a Black Futures scholarship has been created to support Black students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts or Math programs.
Nadia Richards, Manager, Anti-Racism Integration, says she hopes Black Futures Month serves as a reminder to Black employees and students that George Brown “has a magnificent Black community — and that no one is alone.”
Richards also underscores the importance of allyship and collaboration in the ongoing effort to keep the spirit of Black Futures alive and well throughout the school year.
“I want non-Black employees and students to see the importance of collaboration and community,” she says. “We need to work together to improve the future for all our students, especially those who have been historically marginalized and/or continue to be marginalized in our society. I think we can learn a lot from each other, through a process of truth telling, intentional actions and bravery to continue the fight against anti-Black racism at the college. These things are very hard — but necessary.”
