The social unrest unleashed by the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 began as a backlash against police-involved violence before swelling into a global uprising against broader structural expressions of anti-Black racism. A flashpoint became worldwide illumination exposing the interconnections between the violence of bias in law enforcement and the endemic impacts of discrimination in a variety of social, political, and economic arenas. Canada has not been spared from this essential period of collective introspection. Racialized outcomes in the administration of justice, housing, employment, healthcare, and education – realities previously denied or obscured – now hold our focus and take up greater space in the public consciousness and policy discourses.
Against this backdrop, Centennial College established the Anti-Black Racism Task Force (ABRTF) in 2020 to develop a set of actionable recommendations to transform and decolonize the missional work of the institution. The role of the ABRTF was to support our campuses in fostering “an environment of inclusion in teaching, learning, employment, and support services so we can fully serve our communities and prepare students to excel in the workplace and in society.” The intended outcomes of the ABRTF were to ensure change and accountability in all operational areas including programs and services, workplace environment, and community relations.
The Anti-Black Racism Task Force Year in Review: 2022-2023 explores the progress achieved over the 2022/2023 academic year, such as establishing the Black Student Collective, launching GNED 234: Decoding Blackness in Canada, offering the Fundamentals of Indigenous Education and Anti-Racism program and much more! Additionally, it highlights pending actions which the College must continue to work collaboratively to fulfill.
Read the Anti-Black Racism Task Force Year in Review: 2022-2023.
The Anti-Black Racism Task Force Report and Institutional Commitments was launched in Fall 2022, which well-positioned our College community to begin taking tangible actions to address systemic issues, truly value our Black students, faculty and staff, and create safe and inclusive spaces for all. The provisions of the Commitments aim at fostering an environment of inclusion in teaching, learning, employment, and support services. Having devised the recommendations and completed its work, the ABRTF has been wound down.
The commitments represent the following thematic areas: Commitments to Education and Awareness; Psychologically Safe Environments; Anti-Racist and Interculturally Competent Leadership; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Student Success and Engagement; Human Resources; and Data Collection and Reporting.
The Anti-Black Racism Task Force Report details the College's institutional commitments aimed at fostering an environment of inclusion in teaching, learning, employment, and support services by reducing practices of marginalization, expanding decolonizing opportunities, and realizing a psychologically safe working, and learning environment for students, employees, and the wider college community.
Read the Anti-Black Racism Task Force and Institutional Commitments Full Report.
ABRTF Co-Chairs
- Michael F. Charles JD, Associate Vice-President, Innovation, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Healing
- Véronique Henry JD, Dean, School of Community and Health Studies
- David Ip Yam MEd, Dean of Students
Executive Sponsors
- Dr. Neil Buddel, Vice-President, Student Success Dr. Marilyn Herie, Vice-President Academic and Chief Learning Officer Lynn Ardizzi, Vice-President, People and Equity
- Dr. Marilyn Herie, Vice-President Academic and Chief Learning Officer
- Lynn Ardizzi, Vice-President, People and Equity
Members
The ABRTF represents more than 60 Centennial College students, faculty, and staff committed to discerning and realizing these institutional commitments. A call for membership was communicated to the broader college community in early November 2020 and the first meeting was held in December, subsequent meetings have been held monthly.