UBC Okanagan Black History Month celebrations

A message from Lesley Cormack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UBC Okanagan

Dear colleagues,

As we move through Black History Month this February, I would like to encourage you to take this opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the importance of Black history in Canada and recognize the many accomplishments and achievements of Black Canadians around the country and within our own campus community.

This past year has highlighted the many injustices and inequities that exist in our society and started many important conversations within UBC about race and the lived experiences of Black people and scholars. As difficult as these conversations are, they fill me with hope that we are taking the necessary steps to work towards a more inclusive university for all students, faculty and staff. When I envision the future of UBC Okanagan, I know that it is these meaningful conversations and the actions that are to follow that will set our course towards a future that celebrates and supports diversity in every facet of our society. What we do now will be reflected in the history that is to come.

To show our commitment to the lessons we have learned over the past year and are continuing to learn, UBC has recently launched a new Anti-Racism website that provides more details on our plans to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion on our campuses. I encourage you to visit this website and reflect on how these commitments might strengthen your work and teaching.

Read the full message