The University of Waterloo is proud to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black alumni and friends in our global community. As we celebrate their impact on the University and the world, we continue to work together to ensure that everyone belongs at UWaterloo.
Hebron Gebre-Mariam (BASc ’07) is an educator with the Waterloo Region District School Board. He’s passionate about providing children with learning experiences beyond textbooks and classrooms. In 2022, Hebron helped launch Waterloo’s Engineering Outreach program, Kids on Campus, which provides on-campus STEM activities to 8,000 grade four students each school year.
Nadia Hohn (BA ’01) is an award-winning author, educator, musician, aspiring illustrator and advocate for diversity in children’s literature. Combining activism with creativity, Nadia empowers Black children to see themselves in literature. Her acclaimed Malaika series captures the joys and challenges of a young girl navigating two worlds. Nadia received a 2024 Alumni Achievement Award.
Chris Wilson (BSc ’21) lives a life with curiosity and without regrets. After becoming a full-time DJ, touring Canada and eventually settling in the U.K., he realized it was no longer feasible to make a living doing what he loved. Chris decided he wanted to deliver support or advance change for Black creators and artists and chose to pursue a career as a cultural programmer.
Dr. Nyasha Gondora (PhD ’20) won Canada's 2024 Top 100 Black Women to Watch award, a prestigious honour earned for outstanding contributions to communities and professions. Nyasha was the first Black PhD graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in 2020. Her PhD research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of stress on the brain.
Eldon C. Theodore (BES ’02) is a 2024 Alumni Award recipient, earning the Friend of the Faculty Impact award from the Faculty of Environment. Eldon has more than 20 years of experience in land use planning, urban design and sustainability. He advises students and young professionals to take small actions to make a positive impact and emphasizes the importance of volunteerism and philanthropy in building a supportive community.
Dr. Cicely Shillingford (BSc ’15) received the 2024 Early Alumni Excellence Award from the Faculty of Science. Cicely is the youngest member of the executive leadership team at amika, a top five prestige global hair care brand based in Brooklyn, New York. She has authored seven scientific publications spanning from structural biochemistry to colloidal material. Cicely is passionate about advancing opportunities for minorities in STEM.
Olivia Nwaokocha (PharmD ’24) is a champion for Black health equity and change. She is a community pharmacist, serves as the Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (BPPC) event committee chair and is a working group associate for the Federation of Black Canadians where she contributes to national health equity efforts. She was recently recognized with the Federation of Black Canadians, 2025 Change Maker Award.
Class of 2024 Featured Valedictorians
David Awosoga (MMath ’24, PhD in progress)
David completed a Master of Mathematics in Data Science under the supervision of Dr. Samuel Wong. As a valedictorian in the fall of 2024, David encouraged fellow students to embrace opportunities beyond academics. As assistant coach for the Waterloo Warriors Women’s Volleyball team, David applied his research skills and shared that the “prospects of building a sports analytics empire here at Waterloo” inspired him to continue his academic journey and pursue a PhD in Statistics.
Lowenna Olowo Barungi (BA ’24)
Lowenna graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts and Business, with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Legal Studies. She was honoured to represent her family and her community as a valedictorian in the spring of 2024. Born in Uganda, Lowenna grew up singing and plans to explore a career in music and media, along with plans to return to school for a law or master’s degree.
Justen Wilmot (BSc ’24)
Justen is studying medicine in the Caribbean after being valedictorian in the spring of 2024 and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a Medical Physiology minor.
During his address, Justen encouraged fellow graduates to be proud of themselves and what they’ve accomplished at the University. “Not only about the educational portion, but about the impact you left on this community ... as much as everyone helped you, you also helped everyone — proving that iron sharpens iron, which is the reason our Waterloo community is so strong.”
After graduation, Thoko Phiri (PhD ’18) stayed connected to other African alumni and students in the UWaterloo community. Today, that group has expanded to become the University of Waterloo African Alumni Association (UWAAA).
“I personally have been encouraged, because to see people who look like me, with a similar background, excelling and able to break down any walls — real or perceived — and then excelling and growing, it's really, really positive.”
Interested in creating your own Alumni Affinity Group? Fill out the Alumni Affinity Group Proposal Form.
Black Student Opportunities Fund
This fund supports student well-being and transitions, enhancing student success and emergency supports, and expanding outreach and recruitment efforts.
Collective Movement Award for Community Leadership
Supports students who are involved with, or have positively impacted, African, Caribbean and Black communities.
Engineering Equity Fund
This fund supports activities related to diversity initiatives, including programming, outreach, research and awards in the Faculty of Engineering.
Black and Indigenous Students Engineering Outreach Program
This fund supports racialized youth in Grades 1 to 12 through programs and activities, and provides bursaries and/or scholarships.
Warriors Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fund
This fund supports efforts to address under-representation and equitable access to on campus experiences through enhanced programming, training and education, student-athlete support, and community initiatives.
School of Architecture Racial Equity and Environmental Justice Fund
Entrance Awards Designated to Black Students
Thanks in large part to the generosity of our donors, the University of Waterloo provides many entrance awards designated to Black students.
Applicants are considered for all awards they qualify for, based on the award criteria and their responses to the application questions. This includes any additional entrance awards based on similar criteria that may become available.
Please contact Akua Asare Anim if you have any questions about applying for admission or scholarships as a Black student.
Advancement Anti-Racism Task Force
Black History Month is an opportunity for us to educate and recognize the past and present contributions that Black Canadians make in such areas as education, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic development, politics and human rights. These contributions have helped in our nation-building as we strive to root out systemic barriers and celebrate the accomplishments of Black Canadians.
The Office of Advancement recognizes the importance, value and richness that a diverse workforce and community brings. We aspire to create an inclusive environment where all staff members can participate, thrive and flourish.