Black History Month

Collage of Black alumni and students

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

Dean

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

Jocelyn

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

Nohemie

Global connections, forged in honey

Nohemie Mawaka’s (BA ’13) venture employs women in her father’s community in the Democratic Republic of Congo

 

Collage of Black alumni

Celebrating the remarkable experiences of our Black alumni

Meet 15 Black alumni impacting the world today, and the story behind their journeys

Tracelyn

“Go Mommy”

Tracelyn Cornelius (MEB ’21, PhD in progress) says equality for all is a fundamental component of sustainability

Tre Ford

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

 

Chekema

Representing the future of entrepreneurs

Chekema Prince (PhD ’14) wants to see more Black women in the technology space

Nadia

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

Chanda

Black women scientists need unreasonable levels of resilience

Physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (PhD ’11) combats racism and sexism in science and society

 

Dandre

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

Lannois and Anandi

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

Yves and Cynthia

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

Tracelyn

Inclusive language and sustainability

Tracelyn Cornelius (MEB ’21, PhD in progress) researches the intersection and importance of sustainable development and equity, diversity and inclusion

Ola and Safyya

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 

Chris

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

 

Nadia

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

Marc

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

Ajoa

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 Waterloo's Black Communities

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.

Learn more about our Alumni Affinity Groups

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.

Explore graduate student awards 

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:

Waterloo Warriors
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.

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