The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office remains committed to working with Black colleagues and students at UTM given ongoing anti-Black racism and harm against Black communities. We join the University of the Toronto, Vice-President People Strategy, Equity, and Culture and Vice-President & Principal, UTM in denouncing anti-Black racism and undertaking action. In September 2020, Professor Rhonda McEwen was appointed as the Vice President and Principal's Special Advisor on Anti-Racism and Equity in response to racial inequities and violence. From July 2021 to June 2023, Sonia Kang undertook responsibilities at the as Special Advisor on Anti-Racism and Equity at UTM.
In March 2021, the University of Toronto's Anti-Black Racism (ABR) Task Force delivered its final report. This includes more than 50 action-oriented measures and solutions to tackle anti-Black racism and promote Black inclusion and excellence on the university's three campuses.
At UTM, we are Implementing the Commitments of U of T's Anti-Black Racism Task Force through a variety of means including an Operational Group led by Heather Hines, Director of Office in the Office of the Vice-President and Principal, who supports the commitments' implementation across campus.
In August 2023, the Anti-Black Racism Operational Group launched Promoting Black Inclusion and Excellence at UTM Dashboard: UTM's community-specific response to the recommendations of the University of Toronto's Anti-Black Racism Task Force. With much anticipation, the Black at UTM website was officially launched September 2023. Black at UTM is an umbrella initiative to showcase Black excellence at UTM and to make UTM a welcoming environment where Black students, staff, faculty and librarians feel included, inspired, safe, and celebrated.
We are working with the UTM Black community and campus partners to develop connection spaces and provide support. The UTM Black staff listserv, launched in the Fall of 2021, enhanced community and provides a dynamic communication network for Black staff working at UTM.
Anti-Black racism, as well as all forms of racism and discrimination, impact everyone. We all have a responsibility to take action against racism, speak up, and support Black, Indigenous, and racialized colleagues and students.
We will continue to work with the Anti-Black Racism Operational Group, Black Leadership Table, and campus partners to host spaces for UTM Black community – students, staff, faculty and librarians. The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office will also host spaces for UTM community members to learn, dialogue, and discuss collective responsibility as well as acting in solidarity to end anti-Black racism, including in our learning, living, research, and working environments at UTM.
National Dialogue and Action on Inclusive Higher Education and CommunitiesU of T, in partnership with universities and colleges across Canada, hosted The National Dialogue and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities on Oct. 1 and 2, 2020. The first in the series was focused on addressing anti-Black racism and Black inclusion in Canadian higher education.Signatories of the Scarborough Charter are following through on the promises made by universities and colleges in the Summer of 2020 and by partner institutions at the October 2020 National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities, to move from rhetoric to meaningful concrete action to address anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion. |
The Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO)Offers sessions designed to increase faculty, librarian and staff’s understanding of their roles/responsibilities along with key strategies to advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Toronto.How to Register:Employees browse and register for these sessions from the ARCDO's Training and Workshops webpage.More information about ARCDO, including how the Office can help advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion in your unit with a customized workshop, is available at https://antiracism.utoronto.ca |
Reflect. Restore. Action.Join the tri-campus Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office for Restore @ U of T, a Restoration Program for Black, Indigenous and Racialized university community members. Discussions and activities will address the impacts of racism through activities to restore, organize and take action as we navigate these challenging times.More information is available here: https://antiracism.utoronto.ca/reflect-restore-action |
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Community Networks: The National Black Graduate Network (NBGN) is an initiative to promote communication and collaboration among Black graduate students and students of Black Studies in Canada: https://nbgn.caThe Canadian Black Scientists Network exists to Elevate, make Visible, Celebrate and Connect Black Canadians in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) across sectors: www.blackscientists.caThe University of Toronto Black Alumni Association (UTBAA) aims to create a strong network whereby Black alumni and current undergraduate/graduate students achieve greater success through stronger connections with one another: university-toronto-black-alumni-association-utbaaConnections & Conversations, University of Toronto Mississauga chapter, is an affinity group for self-identified Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC) staff to provide a community of support and opportunities for mentorship and professional development: www.utm.utoronto.ca/edio/connections-conversations |
We are committed to supporting you, as we take action and continue to build an intentionally inclusive and equitable UTM. To any member of our community who may want assistance with the effects of anti-Black racism, harm, and violence, please reach out for support. Additional university and Peel region community-based support services are below.
For students: U of T Telus Health Student Support (formerly U of T My SSP) Confidential multilingual counselling support 24/7, 1-844-451-9700 | My Telus Health Student Support app
For employees: Confidential Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) 24/7, 1-800-663-1142
Malton Neighbourhood Services, 905-677-6270 | www.mnsinfo.org/black-family-support
Black Youth Helpline, 416-285-9944 | wsw.blackyouth.ca
24.7 Crisis Support Peel, 905-278-9036
