With a continued commitment to equity, GBC celebrated February in honour of the black community.  

GBC launched its first-ever Black Futures Month in 2022 and continued to observe it this year.  

Black Futures Month celebrates the resilience and excellence of the black community while also focusing on reimagining black futures.  

At a Black Health Matters panel discussion held on Feb 9, Dr. Gervan Fearon, president of GBC said, “Black futures month directly supports our commitment to combating racism and promoting black inclusion as well as making a contribution towards a promising future for members of the black community, not only here at the college, but right across the entire Canadian mosaic and beyond.” 

Black Futures month is a future-oriented take on Black History Month, which is observed during the month of February every year.  

Various events took place at the college throughout the month. GBC’s observance of Black Futures month reinforces a continued conversation on promoting and fostering black futures for members of its community. 

At the Black Health Matters panel discussion, Dr. Roberta Timothy, inaugural program director of the MPH program in Black Health at University of Toronto; Dr. Aisha Lofters, family physician at Women’s College Hospital; and Paul Bailey, interim executive director of Black Health Alliance formed the panel. 

The panel discussed the impact of anti-black violence and racism on the mental and physical health, and overall well-being of black community members.  

“Anti-Black racism impacts all aspects of our lives. It has done so for over 400 years. The result is chain transgenerational, transnational trauma directly related to continued brutality and violence. Whether we talk or don’t talk about anti-black racism, and other forms of violence, it impacts on our health. The impact is still present,” Dr. Timothy said. 

Bailey presented the various aspects of inequality that still exists for black people in Canada and how this impacts their health. 

Statistics provided by the Government of Canada show the employment rate of black men is five per cent below that of other men in Canada. Black people are also less likely to obtain a postsecondary qualification. Statistics also show that 29 per cent of individuals belonging to the black minority group live in unsuitable housing. 

All these factors and more result in a negative impact on black people’s health, Bailey pointed out.  

“It’s the barriers to opportunity to that that it creates around unemployment. It’s the barriers to opportunity that it creates with the lack of proper educational or childcare supports. It’s the barriers that it creates the weathering that it creates as it relates to over policing, and law enforcement,” he said. 

On yet another panel discussion on Feb. 14, five notable GBC graduates who are trailblazing in their industries were showcased.  

During the month, the Black Student Success Network (BSSN) which is a GBC initiative that provides academic support and social engagement to students, also hosted various events.  

The various events discussing an array of topics came together to form the core understanding of needing to recognise achievements of the black community, while fostering an environment that allows achievements of the black community. 

“We’re doing the hard work to be able to address anti-black racism, we’re doing the hard work to be able to make progress. We’re also recognizing that black futures does include making a commitment and doing the work forward as many individuals here …so towards the betterment of our students, our employees, the communities that we serve,” said Fearon at the Black Health Matters event. 

GBC has continually shown a strong interest in ensuring equity for its members.  

A major statement for this was made by adding ‘Foundation of Equity’ as one of the six priorities in GBC’s future roadmap Strategy 2026. The priority sets a goal to build a learning and working environment that is equitable and creates a sense of belonging to all. 

The college also stands against racism and has introduced its anti-racism action plan. This action plan, launched in 2022, reinforces the college’s commitment to address racism and engaging in anti-racism, equity, and inclusion efforts. 

An anti-racism e-course was also developed last year to encourage and support individuals in successfully engaging in anti-racism practice. This e-course can be taken by all students and staff at the college.  

The Black Futures Month was just yet another reminder of the importance GBC gives to equity, and brought to light services available at the college such as counselling and student networks like the BSSN. 

Students seeking more information about the month can find it here and those seeking anti-racism resources can find them through this link.