From panel discussions to webinars, the Ryersonian has compiled a list of all online events taking place in and around Ryerson
During the month of February, Canadians, including students, staff and faculty from Ryerson University, come together to celebrate and learn about the achievements of Black Canadians and communities for Black History Month.
Following the establishment of the Ontario Black Historical Society in 1978, founders Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks first petitioned the City of Toronto to designate February as Black History Month, according to the Government of Canada’s website.
Their success was followed by another petition, in 1993 in Ontario, to make the celebration provincewide. Through a final push, the House of Commons officially recognized the month of February as Black History Month in 1995, following a motion introduced by Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.
Their achievements are why Black History Month is now celebrated all over Canada.
With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the nature of how events are being held at the university and in the community, the Ryersonian has compiled a running list of all the events happening this month:
Mindset Masters: A discussion with Sahr Saffa
Feb. 3 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Guest speaker and industry tech leader Sahr Saffa will be leading a discussion with the Mindset Masters to address the struggles that Black students face in academic environments. The discussion will focus on developing a growth mindset in the face of global competition, job insecurity and economic uncertainty. The event is open specifically to students of colour.
Is It Too Late For All That Lovey-Dovey Shit? Creating Real Life Spaces For Black Men To Love, with Richie Reseda
Feb. 10 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Office for Sexual Violence Support and Education at Ryerson University has teamed up with Wilfrid Laurier University’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Together, they aim to create a safe space for Black men to discuss topics such as self-love, accountability and standing up to systemic oppression. The webinar will be hosted by abolitionist and feminist producer Richie Reseda. The event is only open to self-identifying Black men from Ryerson and Laurier.
Eli Reed: A Long Walk Home
Feb. 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Ryerson Image Centre will be hosting acclaimed American photographer Eli Reed as part of their Howard and Carole Tanenbaum lecture series on Feb. 10. Known for documenting social justice issues and wartime events, attendees will be introduced to Reed’s documentary practice over the past 50 years. He has covered major conflicts and political events in El Salvador, Beirut and Haiti as well as documenting and publishing the African-American experience in his book, Black in America. The event is open to all.
Black History Month: Celebrating Trailblazers in Canada’s Legal Community
Feb. 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Ryerson’s Faculty of Law will be hosting a virtual tribute in honour of Lincoln Alexander, the first Black person to be elected to the House of Commons, serve as a federal cabinet minister and to be appointed as lieutenant-governor of Ontario, along with other Black Canadian trailblazers in the legal field. You can register for the event here.
The Skin We Live in: Black History Month Panel
Feb. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The BIPOC Students’ Collective is hosting a panel event in collaboration with the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) vice-president of equity Vaishali Vinayak. Attendees have the chance to hear about the experiences of Black academics and professionals at Ryerson in navigating through academia. The panel will conclude with a Q&A period. Three lucky event attendees will win an UberEats gift card worth 25 dollars. You can sign up for the event by filling out this form.
Consent Change Makers: Black Students in Canada Addressing Sexual Violence at Universities
Feb. 25 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
The Consent Action Team from the Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education is hosting a panel discussion featuring three students working to address sexual violence at Canadian universities. On the panel are fourth-year arts and contemporary studies student Casandra Fullwood from Ryerson University, Vatineh Magaji from the University of Manitoba and Chole Kemeni from McGill University. The event is open to all.
Black in Motion: Behind the Camera
Feb. 26 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Led by the Faculty of Communication and Design (FCAD), celebrate Black History Month at this speaker event by engaging with filmmakers Shonna Foster and Ayat Salih about how the film and television industry’s historical lack of representation or opportunities for Black voices and stories. They will delve into the past, present and the hopeful future of this industry. It will be moderated by Dr. Cheryl Thompson, an assistant professor at the School of Creative Industries. You can register for the event here.
This article will be updated as more events become available throughout the month. Please email the Ryersonian’s managing editor Kirti Vyas to have an event added: kirti.vyas@ryerson.ca.
