About Us
What is Blackademia?
Blackademia is the Black at Western Virtual Hub. The objective of Blackademia is to re-imagine and re-design the Black experience at Western University by intentionally creating and holding meaningful space for Black students, staff, faculty, alumni and communities. Blackademia was created to meet the inclusion, belonging, educational and mentorship needs of our Black-identifying community members at Western.
This dedicated virtual hub is a designated, inclusive network for dialogue, recognition, connection and inclusion. Blackademia aligns with Towards Western at 150 (People, Community and Culture), the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization and Accessibility (EDIDA) Strategic Plan: Advancing Inclusive Excellence and Western University's pledge to fighting anti-Black racism and promoting Black inclusion as a signatory of the Scarborough Charter.
Why was Blackademia created?
Despite recent efforts, there are still profound gaps between the anti-racist learning environment and initiatives at Western and the lived experiences of one of Western's historically underrepresented groups— the Black community. The Black at Western Virtual Hub is committed to dismantling existing inequities and obstacles by cultivating a new virtual cultural landscape – one truly sowed with the seeds of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Mission Statement
Blackademia will serve as a virtual partnership between all Black students, staff and faculty, uniting academia and the Black public sector of London, Ontario. Providing an array of resources, Blackademia seeks to improve the agreeability of the Black Western experience through mentoring, networking, financial planning, leadership, art, creativity, storytelling and addressing the barriers faced by Black existence. We aim to create a space where Blackness at Western can both socially and virtually exist and thrive.
The totality of the Black experience is limitless. We seek to continue displaying the importance, complexity and completeness of the colourful and joyous tapestry that comprises Black life.
Impact Statement
This unapologetically Black ecosystem aims to uplift Blackness both in physical and social spaces, allowing individuals to connect with those from their communities without the systemic threat of anti-Black racism. We strive to increase the visibility of Black students, faculty and staff across the Western community. This hub is not merely a digital platform but the epicentre of innovation, resilience and leadership. By fostering a vibrant network, we will amplify the impact of Black voices, ideas and achievements across our campus. Together, we are creating a powerful catalyst for progress, dismantling barriers and forging a future where diversity is harnessed to ensure success for everyone at Western.
Empathy Statement
We acknowledge and honour the unique experiences, perspectives and contributions of Black students, faculty and staff within our university community. Our virtual hub is a dedicated space where the richness of your stories and voices can thrive. We recognize the importance of fostering a supportive environment that empowers and celebrates the diversity within our Black community. Your presence is valued and essential, and we are committed to creating an inclusive space where you feel seen, heard, and respected. Together, let us build a stronger, more compassionate campus community where everyone can flourish.
What is the Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity?
The Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity recognizes the contributions that Marjorie Griffin Cohen, Louise Forsyth, Glenis Joyce, Audrey Kobayashi, Shree Mulay, Susan Prentice, Michèle Ollivier and Wendy Robbins have made to increase the level of equity within the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) and Canada’s research ecosystem. Their 2003 Canadian Human Rights complaints and concerted efforts in the mediation processes led to the 2006 Settlement Agreement and its addendum in 2019.
Three awards valued at $100,000 are conferred annually through a formal peer review process.
Click the following link to learn more about Western's Robbins-Ollivier Project: "Diversity Western: Enhancing the Black Experience."
Who are the Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity team members who worked on Blackademia?
The members of this team include a coalition of Black researchers and administrators alongside allies with several years of experience working within Western.
