Introducing the Promoting Black Flourishing Fund

The Promoting Black Flourishing Fund has been created to provide one-time funding to support initiatives by Black members of the UM Community and Black UM-affiliated groups and organizations that support the objectives of The Scarborough Charter, and to advance anti-racism at the University of Manitoba.

The fund is sponsored by the office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and the office of the Vice-President (Administration).

Tina Chen, UM’s Executive Lead-EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), and Distinguished Professor, History, says, “I’m excited for our office to facilitate this fund that centres Black voices and experiences to support the overarching principles of the Scarborough Charter on anti-Black racism and Black Inclusion.

“We hope to have many funded projects celebrating Black Life in the UM community in the new year!”

The Scarborough Charter on anti-Black racism and Black Inclusion is a historically important document that commits UM to combat anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion in higher education and communities. As a signatory to the Charter, UM has committed to the overarching principles of Black Flourishing, Inclusive Excellence, Mutuality, and Accountability.

UM’s commitment to taking action on these principles requires: recognizing the diversity and complexity of Black peoples, including Black peoples across the gender spectrum, Black persons with disabilities, and Black peoples in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; supporting and affirming all Black voices; and investing in Black initiatives at UM.

Naomi Andrew, Vice-President (Administration), says, “We’re pleased to support opportunities to further Black flourishing at UM, and to advance our values and goals of creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive community that enables all people to thrive on our campuses and in their home communities.”

See the Promoting Black Flourishing Fund webpage

Promoting Black Flourishing Fund: Eligible projects

• Projects may include, but are not limited to: community-building initiatives, events, guest speakers/public dialogue, celebration of Black excellence, creative projects or exhibits, film-screenings or performances, community engagement.
• The fund does not support: individual research projects; teaching release; course materials or fees; conference travel; or individual professional development costs.

Application details

• Review of applications begins December 15
• Funds must be spent by March 31, 2023
• Applications are welcome from UM students, faculty and staff, as well as other UM-affiliated Black individuals or groups
• Applications may be submitted to Amy Zhang, EDI Coordinator, at amy.zhang@umanitoba.ca

• A two-page (maximum) application that includes the following:
  • Proposal title
  • Lead individual(s), including name, position and UM email address
  • Organization(s) or group(s) involved, where applicable
  • Project description and timeline of the initiative
  • Intended scope/audience
  • Budget, including any received or requested funding from other sources)

For further information, contact: Tina Chen, Executive Lead-EDI, at tina.chen@umanitoba.ca

See also the Promoting Black Flourishing Fund webpage