Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report to be released
Kevan Davidson (spoken word artist and fourth year Ryerson student) performing at the Black Excellence Student Achievement Awards Ceremony in March 2020. Photo credit: Amanda Kuo.
Ten years ago, an Anti-Racism Task Force at Ryerson University released a report that examined systemic racism and barriers on campus while laying out recommendations to create a more inclusive campus environment for all students, faculty and staff to study, work and teach.
While we have made some progress towards furthering equity, diversity and inclusion at Ryerson – we created the first vice-president position fully dedicated to equity and community inclusion at a university in Canada, hosted the first White Privilege Conference in Canada, and undertook this review - more direct action needs to be taken and more work needs to be done to realize this vision of social progress and racial equality.
Ryerson condemns anti-Black racism and discrimination which is rooted in a long history of colonialism and slavery. Current events globally are unfolding against the history of centuries of systemic racism which has disproportionately disadvantaged the Black community.
All people and communities of privilege have a responsibility to challenge and dismantle anti-Black racism and discrimination. At Ryerson, we express our solidarity with the Black community and we will continue to work towards an inclusive community and society.
Our aim is to change and move forward with meaningful action towards a future in which all Black students, faculty and staff on campus feel welcome, included and can bring their whole selves.
While the last few months have brought an intense focus on anti-Black racism, Ryerson has been on this journey of examination since 2019 when I tasked the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) with conducting an Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review.
To the Black students, faculty and staff who came forward, we know that you have been waiting patiently for this report to be released and that it was difficult for you to share your experiences of anti-Black racism. We sincerely thank you for your contributions to this process thus far.
I invite you to join us online for the release of the Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review report on July 17, in recognition of Nelson Mandela International Day. We will be sharing the full report, including its findings and recommendations, with our community. At that same time, I will also be announcing a Presidential implementation committee that will be tasked with addressing the recommendations included in the report.
Following the event, the report will be made available to the community on the OVPECI website.
As leaders in equity, diversity and inclusion, our aim is to achieve a future in which all Black students, faculty and staff, feel welcome, included and comfortable bringing their whole selves forward to our campus. If we act now to realize our shared future, just imagine where we can be in 10 years. We must remain vigilant in facing anti-Black racism, racial discrimination and systemic racism and continue to take action.
The university looks forward to releasing the Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review report at our virtual community event on July 17. Further event details will be shared on the Ryerson Today events page in the upcoming days. We hope you will join us.
Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice-Chancellor