On November 18, 2021, Â鶹¹ÙÍø became a signatory of the . This action joined Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s with more than 40 universities and colleges across Canada to move post-secondary institutions beyond rhetoric and to more meaningful, concrete actions to address anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion. The charter was created following the 2020 National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. Shortly after the signing of the charter by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane in 2021, Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s struck multiple committees to meaningfully implement the Scarborough Charter on campus.
The Charter Implementation Framework is oriented around four broad themes articulated in the Scarborough Charter
Black Flourishing
Universities and colleges are central to enabling the just, fulsome realization of human potential and thriving. They play a pivotal role in redressing anti-Black racism by removing structural barriers to equity, inclusion and social justice, with full recognition of our intersectional identities, while advancing the innovative research, critical thinking and engaged dissemination of knowledge that foster substantive equality, human dignity, and sustainability.
Inclusive Excellence
Inclusive excellence embodies the recognition that not only is post-secondary education enriched by equity, diversity and inclusion; equitable inclusion is critical to excellence. Excellence encompasses the ability of universities and colleges to educate and to innovate; to be alive to complexity and proactive in the face of crisis; to foster fundamental questioning through rigorous, respectful engagements across difference; and to enable societal transformation.
Mutuality
Universities and colleges are embedded in communities locally, as well as nationally, regionally and internationally. By recognizing a responsibility to foster mutuality, universities and colleges acknowledge the multiple social relations and modes of societal action upon which universities and colleges depend and for which they are accountable. The positive, interactive relationship with Black communities entailed by mutuality includes the special role universities and colleges can assume in Black community economic development, notably as anchor institutions and local employers.
Accountability
Accountability involves a commitment both to ongoing education - including self-education – and to courageous action built on deeply consultative processes. Accountability includes acknowledging, respecting, and acting responsively in the face of Black life, in its full complexity and intersectionality. Universities and colleges must move beyond mere representation and take responsibility for supporting fulsome, transformative inclusion across university and college structures, policies and procedures. By signing the Scarborough Charter, universities and colleges commit to a process of continuous improvement through ongoing, sustained implementing of the Scarborough Charter’s principles-based commitments to action, and to be answerable for concrete outcomes, including to their respective Boards, communities and other stakeholders.
Scarborough Charter at Â鶹¹ÙÍø's
This list is a sample of the growing programs meant to root and foster the Scarborough Charter at Â鶹¹ÙÍø's.
In 2023, Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s established the Office of the Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) (VPCEI) under the leadership of Stephanie Simpson, former Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion). This new portfolio ensures that initiatives such as the Scarborough Charter are integrated into the highest levels of university governance and operations.
The Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion introduced Black@Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s programming in 2024, providing workshops, cultural events, and wellness activities designed to foster belonging and success among Black students.
Created in 2018, the Black Student Initiative Fund continues to support student-led initiatives that promote inclusion, equity, and community on campus. Although it predates Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s signing of the charter, it demonstrates proactive efforts to support Black flourishing among our students.
Introduction of three pre-doctoral fellowships in Black Studies (2020–21) and two post-doctoral fellowships (2023) in the Faculty of Arts and Science has offered financial and academic support to emerging scholars, advancing Black-focused research across disciplines.
In 2022, the Faculty of Engineering launched the under the leadership of Cressana Williams-Massey. This initiative supports children in grades 1–9, addressing systemic barriers to Black participation in STEM. The program received national recognition with the 2023 Actua Experience Award.
Several distinguished Black faculty members at Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s hold or have held Canada Research Chair positions, including Dr. Yolande Bouka (Afro-feminist Thought and Political Transformation), Dr. Katherine McKittrick (Black Studies), Dr. Kristin Moriah (African American Literary Studies), and Dr. Grace Adeniyi Ogunyankin (Youth and African Urban Futures).
Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Black Clubs Caucus was established in 2023 under the leadership of prominent Black Students, Amaya Walters and Ruth, who were appointed by the VPCEI. The goal of the caucus is to build consensus among Black Student voices and speak directly to the goals of the Scarborough Charter.
The Smith Black Business Association, with alumni support, launched a mentorship program, and Smith’s professional master’s students formed an EDII Club to increase workplace equity awareness.
Black Student-Led Initiatives at Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s
Held each March, Black Formal is an elevated, celebratory end to the academic year. The evening features music, culturally affirming food, a photo booth, and more, all set within a polished, formal atmosphere. A highlight of the event is the QBCC Awards, which recognize outstanding contributors to the Black experience at Â鶹¹ÙÍø's, from standout businesses and creatives to clubs and events. Black Formal is ultimately a celebration of Black excellence, creativity, and self-expression within the Â鶹¹ÙÍø's community.
Black General Assemblies take place on the last Monday of every month and are open to all Black students, with particular emphasis on Black club leadership. They give club Presidents a regular forum to share updates on their programming, activities, and upcoming events, while also creating space for students to raise questions and voice concerns about social and institutional issues affecting Black students on campus, fostering ongoing dialogue and a stronger, more connected Black student community at Â鶹¹ÙÍø's.
Held each March, Black Formal is an elevated, celebratory end to the academic year. The evening features music, culturally affirming food, a photo booth, and more, all set within a polished, formal atmosphere. A highlight of the event is the QBCC Awards, which recognize outstanding contributors to the Black experience at Â鶹¹ÙÍø's, from standout businesses and creatives to clubs and events. Black Formal is ultimately a celebration of Black excellence, creativity, and self-expression within the Â鶹¹ÙÍø's community.
Sports Days are held once per semester, with an indoor edition in November/December and an outdoor edition in March/April. The winter Sports Day brings students together for basketball, dodgeball, and minigames, while the outdoor edition combines soccer, football, and frisbee with a barbecue, creating a full social event. Timed around midterms and finals, Sports Days give Black students a welcome, low-pressure opportunity to socialize, connect with others from similar cultural backgrounds, and recharge at key points in the academic year.
Scarborough Charter Student Ambassadors
Scarborough Charter Student Ambassadors are student leaders who help advance awareness, engagement, and implementation of the Scarborough Charter at Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s. Working with the Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO), Ambassadors serve as a bridge between students and the university, helping to bring student perspectives, experiences, and priorities into Charter-related initiatives and conversations.
The Ambassadors support student engagement, communications, events, and outreach by connecting with Black student groups and campus partners, participating in consultations and feedback activities, promoting Charter initiatives, and helping develop accessible, student-friendly resources and communications. They also assist with events, orientation and engagement activities, and help gather and share student feedback that can inform ongoing Charter implementation.
Student Ambassadors: Destiny Evbuomwan, Teni Ojedokun, Lorenzo Yankam, and Bernice Yeboah.
Destiny-Uwa Evbuomwan
Bachelor of Health Sciences, 4th Year
Pronouns: She/Her
To me, the Scarborough Charter represents a commitment to creating spaces where Black students feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. As a Black woman navigating postsecondary education, I understand how important representation, mentorship, and a sense of community are in helping Black students succeed. The Charter reminds me that creating meaningful change requires more than recognizing the barriers Black students face. It means taking action to ensure that Black students have opportunities to thrive.
Beyond my role as a Scarborough Charter Student Ambassador, I am passionate about health equity, mentorship, and advocacy. I currently serve as Co-Chair of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) Â鶹¹ÙÍø's Chapter and have been involved with the Â鶹¹ÙÍø's Black Premedical Association (QBPA) as Co-president, where I work to create opportunities for mentorship, representation, resource sharing and community engagement.
Teni Ojedokun
Bachelor of Health Sciences, 4th Year
Pronouns: He/Him
The Scarborough Charter is the institutional protection that we as Black students have here on campus. It’s what ensures that our voices are not only heard but that action is actually taken to address our concerns. The Scarborough Charter not only ensures institutional support for the concerns, initiatives, and dreams that Black students have, but also sustainability. A big obstacle that student-led programming faces is that it’s hard to keep up amidst leadership transitions and new campus environments. The Charter lets us know that we’re not alone.
Beyond being a Scarborough Charter student ambassador, I am also one of the Presidents of the Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Black Clubs Caucus, a club that represents Black students and clubs on the more institutional side of student life. My club works very closely with the HREO, and you will often see us promoting the same initiatives as well as the Charter.
Lorenzo Yankam
Bachelor of Health Sciences, 4th Year (Honours)
Pronouns: He/Him
The Scarborough Charter is the bridge between campus advocacy and institutional accountability. It allows students and staff on campus to dream big about the initiatives they want to bring to fruition and ensures that advocates on the ground can make meaningful progress toward reducing barriers in higher education. It gives the entire community the reassurance that our university has our back.
Beyond my role as a Scarborough Charter Student Ambassador, I support Black-led initiatives at various scales, including the Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Black Clubs Caucus and the Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Black Academic Society. I also serves as Chair of the Black Undergraduate Coalition, a network of over 600 Black students across +30 post-secondary institutions. One of the Coalition’s focuses is equipping Black students across Canada with the knowledge of policies and frameworks like the Scarborough Charter to advocate for themselves and elevate their university experience.
Bernice Yeboah
Bachelor of Health Sciences, 4th Year
Pronouns: She/Her
To me, the Scarborough Charter represents a commitment to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and empowering environment for Black students. It means going beyond conversations about representation and taking meaningful action to address systemic barriers, celebrate Black excellence, and foster a sense of belonging. As a Student Ambassador, I see it as an opportunity to amplify student voices, advocate for positive change, and help build a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
As a Scarborough Charter Student Ambassador, I am currently working on a Black Joy Film Series aimed at celebrating Black experiences, fostering meaningful discussions about inclusivity, and creating space to explore issues relevant to the Black community.
Scarborough Charter
Learn about the Scarborough Charter
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