U of T Anti-Black Racism Task Force
Task Force Co-Chairs
“The true focus of revolutionary change is never merely the
oppressive situations which we seek to escape, but that piece of the
oppressor which is planted deep within each of us….”
—Audre Lorde, 1980
“Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”
About This Initiative
The U of T institutional Anti-Black Racism Task Force aims to address anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion and excellence within the University of Toronto tri-campus community. The Task Force will review existing University policies, processes, and practices and recommend others that would address anti-Black racism, and provide actionable recommendations to the President, Vice-President Human Resources and Equity, and Provost that will further Black Inclusion and excellence.
We invite all members of the U of T community to engage with the Task Force. Many opportunities for students, faculty, staff, librarians, instructors, and researchers to communicate their concerns and recommendations to the Task Force will be provided throughout the 2020-21 academic year. You can provide feedback to taskforce.chairs@utoronto.ca. The Task Force will also be hosting feedback sessions for all members of the U of T community throughout the academic year—likely all online. Stay tuned for dates and times, and updates to this webpage.
Addressing anti-Black racism and creating sustainable change will entail some difficult and brave conversations. This is important work we must all do together as a University community. Moving towards a more inclusive University community that recognizes inclusive excellence is vital to best advancing the research, educational, and civic impact of this University both nationally and globally.
Task Force Membership
Undergraduate and Professional Program Students:
- David Allens, Faculty of Arts and Science
- Alana Bailey, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
- Sofia Oke Quick, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
- Debra Olaniyi, University of Toronto Mississauga
- Aysha Nebil Mohammed, Rotman Commerce
Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows:
- Ahmed Ilmi (Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow), OISE
- Travonne Edwards, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
- Kadija Lodge-Tulloch, Faculty of Arts and Science
Staff:
- Mikhail Burke, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
- Denise Lopes, University of Toronto Scarborough
- Andrea Burton, University of Toronto Mississauga
- Mark Seymour, Division of University Advancement
- Deborah Warner, Tri-campus/Community Safety Office
Faculty and Instructors:
- Catherine Amara, Kinesiology and Physical Education
- Robert Gerlai, University of Toronto Mississauga
- Sarah Lynn Kleeb, University of Toronto Scarborough
- Melanie Newton, Faculty of Arts and Science
- Alexie Tcheuyap, Faculty of Arts and Science
Share Your Feedback
We want to hear from you. There will be many opportunities throughout the upcoming academic year for all members of the U of T community to share their thoughts on addressing anti-Black racism with the Task Force.
Members of the U of T community may share their feedback by completing this form.
Resources
Related Reading
- ‘This is a Canadian Problem too’: Professor and Vice-Dean Maydianne Andrade discusses systemic racism and anti-Black racism and her podcast ‘The New Normal’
- Dean and Task Force co-chair Dexter Voisin on systemic racism, trauma, and the Black community
- New U of T professor Nadège Compaoré on being Black in academia and why representation matters
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Affliction Without Immunity: How Anti-Black Racism Damages More Than the Dream
- From The Chronicle of Higher Education: A Survival Guide for Black, Indigenous, and Other Women of Color in Academe
- From The Conversation: Addressing anti-Black racism in post-secondary institutions can transform Canada after the COVID-19 pandemic
- From The Conversation: How anti-Black racism on Canadian university campuses robs us all
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Racism: The Missing Social Determinant of Health
- ‘We need to ensure a cultural shift’: U of T’s Onye Nnorom on why Canada needs more Black physicians
- National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities
- Canadian universities and colleges come together to take action on anti-Black racism
- Canadian post-secondary institutions unite to take action on anti-Black racism, Black inclusion
- Video: Wisdom Tettey, U of T Vice President and Principal of U of T Scarborough, speaks on the importance of taking action now against anti-Black racism and standing for Black inclusion in the higher education sector
- U of T Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office Anti-Black Racism Workshops and Programming
- National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity membership and mentorship
- Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life: Resources for Enhancing Diversity
- Scholar Strike for Black Lives in Canada, including recorded teach-in sessions
Contact Us
We invite all members of the U of T community to engage with the Task Force as it embarks on its important work. Please use taskforce.chairs@utoronto.ca to provide feedback to the Task Force throughout the Fall and Winter.
You can email the 4 Co-Chairs directly at their email addresses listed above.
You may also direct questions or concerns about the Task Force to:
- Karima Hashmani, Executive Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at U of T and Assessor to the Task Force, at karima.hashmani@utoronto.ca; or
- Andrea Russell, Director, Academic Affairs in the Provost’s Office and Project Manager for the Task Force, at andrea.russell@utoronto.ca
Image credit: Clay Banks