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The Bulletin Brief is a news digest about the University of Toronto, compiled for staff and faculty.
The organizers of the 2019 Black Graduation pose at the U of T Mississauga Campus. (L-R) Barakat Omotosho, Kakidan Alemayehu, Henry Ssali, Ayaan Abdulie. Photo by Geoffrey Vendeville
Hello,
 
February is Black History Month. In this edition of the Bulletin Brief, we recognize and celebrate U of T’s Black community.
Reflecting on representation
Stephanie Obeta, who is studying chemical engineering, was among the U of T students who shared thoughts on representation in STEM for Black History Month. Photo by Daria Perevezentsev
• Members of U of T’s Black engineering community shared their thoughts on challenges they have faced and the need for representation in their fields. Their reflections included accounts of how they found community support and their advice for racialized youth interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

• Marcus Singleton is bringing hip-hop into the classroom as a tool to empower students. The rapper and recent master of education graduate from the Ontario Institute for the Studies in Education is using his skills and training to engage students in social justice and activism.
 
• Ahmed Ali Ilmi is among the first cohort of the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. For much of his post-secondary education, he says he often felt like the “only Black male.” With the fellowship, he will explore how Black boys are being socialized in Canada’s K-12 classrooms. Ilmi says that highlighting their voices is key to countering anti-Black racism and improving educational outcomes.
Examining policy
The inaugural Toronto Black Policy Conference was organized by Anna-Kay Russell (left) and Eunice Kays, and Sharnelle Morgan (not pictured). Photo by Lani Krantz
• Three alumnae from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy organized the first Toronto Black Policy Conference in November. Eunice Kays, Sharnelle Morgan and Anna-Kay Russell organized the conference with the aim of fostering conversations about policies and initiatives that affect Toronto’s diverse Black communities. The alumnae also developed the Toronto Black Policy Network, an organization that will house initiatives that focus on policy-making through a Black lens.
 
• Dexter Voisin, dean of U of T’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, studied violence in Chicago for more than two decades. In his new book, America the Beautiful and Violent: Black Youth and Neighbourhood Trauma in Chicago, he looks at the underlying structural causes of the violence, and helps give voice to the often unheard witnesses and victims of violence. He was recently interviewed by PBS Chicago about the book.

The 411 for staff and faculty
Members of the U of T community gather for the 2019 Black History Month luncheon. Photo by Perry King
• Do you know of an upcoming Black History Month event, campaign or initiative at U of T? Submit it to the Black History Month calendar, compiled by U of T’s Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office and the Black History 365 Committee.

• In recognition of Black History Month, the Division of Human Resources & Equity has released a statement on the university’s ongoing efforts to advance equity, diversity and inclusion and eliminate anti-Black racism. Read the statement here.
 
• If you are looking for resources about how to discuss and celebrate Black History Month with your family, the Family Care Office has compiled this list of family-friendly books, videos, events and more.
 
• U of T is actively monitoring the coronavirus situation. Here, you will find a FAQ with the latest coronavirus information for staff and faculty.

Don’t miss it!
Illustration courtesy of Hart House
• On Feb. 11, hear the perspective of a Black woman in higher education and her experience in being visible and feeling invisible at once. The University of Puget Sound’s LaToya Brackett will share her story. A discussion moderated by U of T’s Janelle Joseph will follow.
 
• Hear from Black faculty members of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education on Feb. 11. They will discuss critical issues that affect Black communities at U of T and the GTA.
 
• Justice Michael H. Tulloch from the Ontario Court of Appeal will speak on Feb. 12 about the practice of carding. Justice Tulloch wrote the review on the controversial police practice in Ontario and made recommendations to the province.
 
• Join Maydianne Andrade, U of T Scarborough’s vice-dean faculty affairs & equity, for a discussion on Feb. 19 about the importance of equity in hiring and retention at the university. A lunch and panel discussion will follow.
 
• Enjoy an African-inspired meal for only $7 (staff and faculty) at Hart House’s Fête Afrique on Feb. 25. Students can enjoy the meal for $5.
 
• The 18th annual Black History Month Luncheon at U of T will be held on Feb. 28. Enjoy a meal, musical performances and a special guest speaker.
 
• The Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre are hosting a workshop about how to identify and address racial and sexual harassment in the workplace. It will be held on Feb. 19 on the St. George campus, Feb. 24 at U of T Mississauga and Feb. 28 at U of T Scarborough.
 
See more events in February

Toni Morrison at U of T

American novelist Toni Morrison is pictured here in 2002 at a U of T reception celebrating her honorary degree. Morrison, who died last April, was a Nobel laureate in literature and a Pulitzer Prize winner.
 
-@utarchives via Instagram
Visit the research honours and awards and research funding opportunities websites for upcoming awards and grant opportunities.

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