February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the many accomplishments of Black people in our community, across Canada and around the globe.
This year’s theme, “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries” celebrates a significant milestone in Canada: three decades of marking the incredible and enduring legacy of Black Canadians. In our own VIU community, I want to acknowledge the many contributions of our Black community members and express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Sonnet L’Abbé, and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, for organizing a series of events throughout the month to mark Black History Month.
As a university, we remain committed to supporting Black brilliance and ensuring that efforts to uplift Black students, faculty, and staff are embedded in our foundational People Plan and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan.
I encourage you to learn more about Black individuals' histories and lived experiences by attending one of the many events being held this month across campus. Find the details on the Black History at VIU blog post.
In addition to celebrating the many contributions of the Black community, it is also important to acknowledge the systemic barriers that exist for Black communities and reaffirm our collective responsibility to fostering an environment where the voices and experiences of Black students and employees are heard, valued and respected.
This work requires the participation of everyone in our community and is not limited to a single month of every year. The BC Black History Awareness Society has some excellent educational resources and I also recommend connecting with the Nanaimo African Heritage Society, which offers various educational resources and ways to get involved.
Warm regards,
Dennis Johnson, PhD
Interim President and Vice-Chancellor
Vancouver Island University
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