FOSTER BLACK FLOURISHING

Concordia has been recognized as a leader in accessible higher education. In times past, the university attracted among the highest numbers of first-generations students — students who were the first in their families to attend a university — in Quebec and Canada.

We also strive to be a welcoming destination for students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including those of historically and structurally excluded communities.

Spurred by renewed calls for racial justice across Canada and the world, the President’s Task Force on Anti-Black Racism was created in 2020-21 to provide recommendations that address race-related issues among Concordia members and within the university’s institutional fabric.

The task force’s final report, published in fall 2022, came at the same time the university apologized for its mishandling of race-based student complaints and the subsequent outcomes of the 1969 Sir George Williams University student protest.

An implementation team now oversees the adoption of the report’s recommendations. They include a call to create scholarships allocated to Black students and to develop a bridging program that enables more prospective Black students to undertake a university education at Concordia — and in the fields they aspire.

In consultation with Black alumni, we are mobilizing to support these two objectives through Foster Black Flourishing — a fundraising drive to rally Concordia friends and alumni of different communities.

Your contribution will help make a lasting impact on generations of brilliant minds.

By supporting Foster Black Flourishing, you will be contributing to two main objectives:

Awards

At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, awards enable recipients to plan for university with greater financial security and allocate more time to focus on their studies. For some, access to a scholarship or bursary is one of the greatest factors in determining their ability to pursue a degree.

Foster Black Flourishing by donating to the Retention Award for Black Scholars, or by establishing a named award.

Retention Awards for Black Scholars

With your gift, you can help grow the new pilot program to support the success of Black PhD students. The Retention Awards for Black Scholars supports Black doctoral students at Concordia, addressing financial barriers, enabling recipients to focus on their research and academic goals without the stress of inadequate resources.

Objectives 

• Reduce financial burdens for Black PhD students.
• Support the unique needs of students balancing academic, professional, and personal responsibilities.
• Enhance the likelihood of PhD completion.
• Create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment for Black scholars.

Create a named award

Meet Fatoumata Tewa Camara, BA 12, who established her namesake bursary to support Black students raised by single parents or who are single parents themselves.

Interested in joining Fatoumata in giving back?

Consider establishing your own named award. To learn more contact University Advancement at giving@concordia.ca or 514-848-2424 ext. 3884.

Bridging Program for Black Students

Concordia has laid the groundwork to launch the Bridging Program for Black Students. This novel initiative is designed to assist historically underserved candidates, including mature-entry, first-generation and low-income Black students and prospective students.

To mitigate the barriers that have prevented so many from attending and thriving in a university environment, the Bridging Program for Black Students will provide:

• Centralized support
• Relationship building, check-ins, mentorship
• Liaisons to external and internal resources
• Integration activities
• Skill-building workshops

Your commitment will ensure the success of Black students. Please give generously today.