Office of Advancement - EC1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32036
Fax: 519-746-8932
Charity/BN Registration # 119260685 RR0001
The University of Waterloo is proud to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black community members during Black History Month and throughout the year.
Stories
Fostering well-being in youth
The well-being of youth is the well-being of society. This equation drives the career of Dean Barnes (BA ’93), who is now a superintendent of education for the Halton District School Board in Burlington, Ontario
Paving the way for women of colour
Growing up as an African Canadian woman in Ottawa, Jocelyn Bonti-Ankomah didn’t see many people who looked like her working in health care roles
Global connections, forged in honey
Nohemie Mawaka’s (BA ’13) venture employs women in her father’s community in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Celebrating the remarkable experiences of our Black alumni
Meet 15 Black alumni impacting the world today, and the story behind their journeys
“Go Mommy”
Tracelyn Cornelius (MEB ’21, PhD in progress) says equality for all is a fundamental component of sustainability
Star quarterback shows why it takes more than talent to succeed
It might seem strange to talk about Tre Ford’s (BA ’22) talent, if only because the conclusion is so evident
Representing the future of entrepreneurs
Chekema Prince (PhD ’14) wants to see more Black women in the technology space
Writer finds resilience in stories of Black women and girls
Nadia L. Hohn (BA ’01) is an award-winning author of books for children who took a leap of faith during the pandemic
Black women scientists need unreasonable levels of resilience
Physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (PhD ’11) combats racism and sexism in science and society
Inspiring the next generation of Black STEM leaders
Black youth have opportunities to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through a camp called STEMpowered
When a campus community becomes a Canadian home
When Lannois Carroll-Woolery (BASc ’97) left Jamaica to come to the University of Waterloo, he spent his first year making friends in the Association of Caribbean Students – bonding over soccer, dominoes and calypso music
Finding her place in STEM
As the only female in her secondary school computer science class, Elin Liu felt the pressure of representing women in STEM. A scholarship provided by donors Yves and Cynthia Bled gave her a boost of confidence
Podcasts
Inclusive language and sustainability
Tracelyn Cornelius (MEB ’21, PhD in progress) researches the intersection and importance of sustainable development and equity, diversity and inclusion
Growth, uncertainty and graduation
Ola Idris (BA ’22) and Safyya Cissé (BSc ’22) sit down with a current student to talk about the exciting (and scary) transition to post-graduation life
From biochemistry to cultural design
Chris Wilson (BSc ’21) walks us through his process from biochemistry student to cultural designer, including what he had to let go
Writer with a capital "W"
Children's book author Nadia Hohn (BA ’01) shares how she turned her creative outlet into a career, and the role she plays in diversifying our bookshelves
Hustle feat. Marc Lafleur (BSc ’14)
The co-founder and CEO of truLOCAL shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the successes and failures he found along the way
Creativity feat. Ajoa Mintah (BASc '01)
The founder of Four All Ice Cream talks about the need to be creative, and how sometimes, doing the safe thing can help you build your dream career
Supporting Black excellence at Waterloo
Black alumni and students can access resources including professional networks and financial awards.
University of Waterloo African Alumni Association (UWAAA)
Established in 2020 by a group of skilled and passionate Alumni and community members, UWAAA aims to celebrate and support the career trajectories of University of Waterloo Alumni of African descent.
Student awards
Waterloo offers a range of financial awards for Black students. Many are funded by generous donors who promote equity and inclusion on our campuses.
Office of Advancement
We're proud to recognize the impact of Black community members on the University and the world. As we celebrate their achievements, we continue to work together to create a University where all feel they belong.
Read the message from Nenone Donaldson, Vice President, Advancement
Clubs and activities
Waterloo hosts a range of clubs created for Black students, by Black students. Explore opportunities to engage in advocacy, outreach, performing arts and more through Black-led student clubs and activities.
Funds to support
There are many funds across the University that provide financial support for Black students. Donors created some of these funds, and we’re truly grateful for their generosity.
We invite you to consider a gift to one of the following donor-supported funds:
The Warriors Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fund was developed to help create a campus where everyone belongs, and where we all work toward equity while striving for a culture of authentic inclusion, even when it is complex and challenging. These steps are vital in ensuring every student, student-athlete, coach, and staff member feels supported and valued.
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- Supports students who are involved with, or have positively impacted, African, Caribbean and Black communities.
- Black and Indigenous Students Engineering Outreach Program
- Supports racialized youth in Grades 1 to 12 through programs and activities, and provides bursaries and/or scholarships.
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- Supports racialized students through programs and activities including outreach, research, collaboration and scholarships.
- Engineering Equity Fund
- Supports activities related to diversity initiatives, including programming, outreach, research and awards.
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.
We are also reminded that we still have much work to do. Recent examples of racial injustice toward Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities have again highlighted the need to confront racism in all its forms.
Learn more about the Advancement Anti-Racism Task Force