Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has partnered with Toronto-based artist Mark Stoddart to release a t-shirt to celebrate Black History Month. The shirts will be worn by varsity athletes before games throughout the month and are available for purchase online.
To celebrate the partnership, Stoddart spoke to TMU students and faculty about the inspiration behind the design. The shirt highlights different symbols and words of affirmation, with the back featuring the words “devoted” and “driven” among others.
“Hopefully when you wear this shirt, you start living this shirt,” Stoddart said. “I hope years from now when you see it in your closet you can look at the back and know you’re doing these things.”
“It highlights the power and potential of art as a discussion for us to cultivate Black flourishing at TMU,” said Dr. Tanya De Mello, vice-president of equity and community inclusion at TMU.
“We see every month as an opportunity to celebrate Black History.”
“We have put careful thought into the community we want to build,” said Michelle Forde, program manager of equity and community inclusion at TMU.
Forde said she was thrilled with the turnout and says that successful events like these showcase the school’s growth. “This is not just one event but it is representative of who we are and our investment into learning together.”
Nikolas Viveiros is a fourth-year journalism student at TMU.
