We signed the Scarborough Charter — now what?

UM Black Alliance (UBMA) invites all students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community at large and beyond to attend this UM Black History Month event taking place on the evening of Feb. 15 at 7pm.

Online Black History Month event (Zoom), Feb. 15, 7pm — register now

This dynamic and important event, “We signed the Scarborough Charter, now what?” will feature a keynote and special address by guest speakers, along with an update by UM President and a panel discussion reflecting on the Scarborough Charter, to which UM is a signatory.

The Scarborough Charter is a historic document that commits UM to combat anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion in higher education and communities.

The Charter is built upon the principles of Black flourishing, inclusive excellence, mutuality and accountability, and commit institutions to champion racial equity, racial diversity, inclusion and belonging by addressing systemic barriers, and supporting and enhancing the economic development, and the health and well-being of, diverse Black communities.

Register now for the UMBA Black History Month keynote and panel event, Feb. 15, 7:00 on Zoom.

We signed the Scarborough Charter — now what?

Online event featuring:

• Keynote: Dr. Barrington Walker, Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and a professor of history at Wilfrid Laurier University.
• Special Address: Dr. Wisdom Tetty, Vice-President, University of Toronto, and Principal, University of Scarborough Charter Steering Committee
• Update on UM’s commitment to the Scarborough Charter by Dr. Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor
• Panel Discussion – Reflections on the Charter moderated by Dr. Warren Clarke, Assistant Professor, Anthropology; with Naomi Andrew, Vice-President (Administration), UM; Orinthia Babb, journalist, UM Alumni; and Valerie Williams, Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

See more events, stories and resources for Black History Month.

Speaker bios

Dr. Barrington Walker
Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Professor, Department of History at Wilfrid Laurier University

Dr. Walker holds a PhD in History from the University of Toronto and is a professor of History at Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada) as well as the Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the Office of the Provost and VP Academic. Before going to Wilfrid Laurier University, he was an associate professor of History at Queen’s University (Canada). A historian of Modern Canada, his work focuses on the histories of Blacks, race immigration and the law. It seeks to illuminate the contours of Canadian modernity by exploring Canada’s emergence as racial state through its histories of white supremacy, slavery, colonization/immigration, segregation and Jim Crowism. Much of his work considers how these practices were legitimized, and in some instances contested, by the rule of law and legal institutions.

Naomi Andrew
Vice-President (Administration) at University of Manitoba

Naomi Andrew is a proud UM alumna and holds Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees from the University of Manitoba. Prior to her role as Vice-President (Administration) Ms. Andrew served the UM community over 18 years in numerous roles, including General Counsel, Associate Vice-President (Fair Practices and Legal Affairs) and most recently as Acting Vice-President (Administration). For nearly two decades, Ms. Andrew has worked with faculty, students and units across our community to ensure our mission and vision are carried out with integrity, while fostering a culture that values respect, honesty, transparency, and fairness

Valerie Williams
EDI Director, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba

Valerie Williams is Black Canadian, born and raised on Treaty 1 Territory; her pronouns are she and her. In her role as the Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Valerie delivers an EDI Strategy grounded in social justice. Her goals are identifying and dismantling the structures In which oppression and discrimination in all forms is embedded, promoting diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion. Valerie’s portfolio includes raising awareness to faculty, staff and learners through the facilitation of workshops, researching best practices and supporting the Colleges and equity committees. Valerie completed Human Resource Management through the University of Manitoba and holds Chartered Professional Human Resources (CPHR) and Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional (CCIP) designations.

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