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Black History Month Celebrations Kick off Today at Laurentian University

Black History Month Celebrations Kick off Today at Laurentian University

Calendar of Events Organized by Student Leaders

February 3, 2025 - The Laurentian University African Caribbean Student Association (LUACSA) is excited to bring engaging Black History Month events to campus, celebrating the richness of Black culture, history, and achievement. With the support of the Student Equity Centre (SEC) and the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO), LUACSA has curated a series of events designed to educate, empower, and connect students and the broader community.

“LUACSA serves as a supportive community for African and Caribbean students, fostering cultural exchange and unity through group activities,” says Aya Atomini, LUACSA President and a fourth-year Business Administration-Finance student. “This month is an opportunity to showcase the achievements and contributions of Black individuals while celebrating with peers and creating meaningful discussions on representation.”

The Black History Month events will provide opportunities for students to engage with Black history, contemporary issues, and networking opportunities with professionals and entrepreneurs. The events include:

  • Understanding the Legacy (Feb. 3) – A showcase of Black organizations in Sudbury, featuring interactive tables and discussions.

  • Talks Among Peers (Feb. 6) – A student-led debate on the role of African nations in shaping Black History Month narratives.

  • Triple Header - Laurentian Voyageurs and Sudbury Five (Feb. 8) – Students will cheer on the Voyageurs and Sudbury Five basketball teams with tickets sponsored by EDHRO. $10 tickets when you use code LAURENTIAN25 when purchasing.

  • Black Entrepreneur Day (Feb. 11) – A celebration of Black business owners and their contributions to the community.

  • Game Night (Feb. 13) – A fun-filled evening of interactive games and camaraderie.

  • Movie Night (Feb. 25) – A screening of a film celebrating Black storytelling and history.

  • Tychon Carter: Becoming Unstoppable (Feb. 25) – Presentation by LU Alumni and student athlete.

  • Nikki Clarke: Black Canadian Innovation (Feb. 26) – Presentation by local entrepreneur.

  • Cultural Mini Gala (Mar. 1) – The grand finale, featuring a fashion show, live performances, and a cultural dinner.

    • Florish Adebayo attended St. Charles College and is a fourth-year Biochemistry student. She works part-time at a local pharmacy, runs her own business, Beiwty Rishrish Cosmetics, and is a LUACSA executive member. As a busy student and young entrepreneur, Florish emphasizes the significance of LUACSA’s impact on student life. “This association has given me the chance to build relationships, connect academically and socially, and gain mutual support from my peers. Black History Month is a time to amplify those connections and celebrate our community.”

    LUACSA, led by a dedicated executive board of 12 students, has been a strong presence at Laurentian for years. With many current leaders in their final year, the organization is preparing for a seamless transition to new leadership. “We have many newer members who can run in the upcoming election,” says Barakat Salami, who attended Lasalle Secondary School and is LUACSA Vice President and a fourth-year Law and Justice student. “We’re confident LUACSA will continue to thrive and build on this celebration year after year.”

    With a variety of events to appeal to different interests, the group is most looking forward to two brand new initiatives. “The cultural mini gala and the student debate, ‘Talks Among Peers’ are really exciting for us,” said Esther Oseni-Ketefe, graduate of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School fourth-year Law and Justice student. “This is our first time ever hosting something like these and they’re both really out-of-the-box, engaging events that we think the entire community will appreciate.”

    In collaboration with LUACSA, Laurentian University’s SEC and EDHRO have arranged for two guest speakers—Laurentian alumnus and former student-athlete Tychon Carter and community leader Nikki Clarke—to join the celebrations to share their insights and experiences. LUACSA invites the Laurentian community to participate and celebrate Black history, culture, and achievements with a month full of engaging events.

    Laurentian University’s New Student Equity Centre: A Hub for Support and Advocacy

    Laurentian University’s New Student Equity Centre: A Hub for Support and Advocacy

    October 16, 2024 - A new shared space for equity deserving student groups has arrived with the launch of the Student Equity Centre (SEC). With a focus on fostering community and addressing the unique challenges faced by equity-deserving groups, the SEC is ready to be an invaluable resource for students.

    The SEC is a branch of Laurentian’s Equity, Diversity, and Human Rights office and aims to provide a safe space for students to find the support they need, with resources tailored to education on specific issues like social justice, equity, and important topics like sexual and gender-based violence and consent awareness.

    With a central location in the Arts Building (Room A-126) in the bowling alley near the Tim Hortons, the SEC is a drop-in center that serves as a shared space for students to connect with one another. The SEC emphasizes mentorship and advocacy, making it easier for students to access the support they require.

    The SEC is led by Lyailya Makhambet, Equity & Community Engagement Coordinator and Kayla Deschatelets, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Support Coordinator and collaborates with four key student groups, centering students for an enhanced support network: the Women’s Center, Laurentian Pride, the Students For Social Action Committee, and the Consent Is Simple Action Team. Each group addresses critical issues ranging from human rights, gender equality to 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and consent education. Students are encouraged to access the student groups for services or to reach out for volunteer opportunities.

    Students can look forward to awareness campaigns and workshops throughout the year, including the 16 Days of Activism starting November 25, which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Other important events include Human Rights Day, Black History Month, and International Women’s Day, all designed to raise awareness and promote a culture of inclusivity.

    With Consent Awareness Week happening from October 21 to 26, the SEC is hosting events to spread the message of clear and enthusiastic consent. If you are a Laurentian student seeking a space that promotes equity and social justice, drop into the Student Equity Centre, located in room A-126 in the bowling alley, where you are a welcomed part of a community committed to making a difference.

    Ugandan Student Finds Comforts of Home Through Community Work On Campus

    Ugandan Student Finds Comforts of Home Through Community Work On Campus

    Alice Aol is motivated to brighten the student experience for international students.

    June 20, 2024 - International and domestic students alike are familiar with Alice Aol, Student Coordinator with the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO) and her infectious personality. Alice is a third-year student who has spent her short time in Canada celebrating culture and creating a sense of community for herself.

    After graduating from high school in Gulu, Uganda during the pandemic, Alice started her studies online at Laurentian before moving to Sudbury for in-person classes. Pursuing higher education in Canada was important to Alice. “Back home in Uganda, it is not common for a girl to finish high school or university. Seeing my fellow Africans here and also aiming to finish school is what motivates me to keep going.” 

    Reflecting on her time in Sudbury so far, Alice said, “Just one year is enough to feel like Laurentian is home.” Coming from a larger city, Alice was excited to live in Sudbury, a community she describes as calm and connected. Alice is looking forward to exploring the natural beauty of Sudbury more this summer. 

    The relationships she has developed with her professors and friends from her classes motivates her each day. “Being far away from home is challenging. Laurentian is a very diverse school where I am able to meet other people who have the same type of beginnings, where we are coming miles away from home to a completely new place. Meeting new friends has helped me a lot and I want to contribute to making this experience away from home brighter for others as well,” said Alice. 

    Alice has made connections with other students through her role as a Student Coordinator with the EDHRO. As Student Coordinator, Alice collaborates with events and programming on-campus.

    Alice took the lead in planning many of the Black History Month events at Laurentian, such as surprising the community with a dance flash mob during the Cultural Day event. Kayla Deschatelets, EDHRO Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support Coordinator, says that Alice’s contributions were instrumental in the success of the celebrations. “Alice has been a real asset to our team. She is friendly and helpful and always willing to take on a passion project. She truly contributed to the success of Black History Month on campus,” said Kayla.

    In March, Alice helped with the planning of Holi for the Laurentian community. Holi is a Hindu celebration of color and spring. “Students came to us at EDHRO saying they missed home and wanted to host an event celebrating Holi. We all worked hard to coordinate the event and a lot of people showed up. They loved it,” said Alice. She says that she is proud to be a part of a community that celebrates and appreciates diversity.

    Alice is a natural fit with the Laurentian University’s African Caribbean Students Association (LUACSA), which she has been a member of since arriving at Laurentian. LUACSA’s goal is to create a home for students who are far away from home, while also providing opportunities for students to explore the different countries, cultures, and backgrounds in Africa and the Caribbean. “LUACSA is not only for African and Caribbean students, it is a community for people to gain knowledge from others and bring knowledge from their own,” said Alice.

    Now an executive member of the LUACSA team as Communications Executive, Alice has assisted with many successful LUACSA events, such as movie nights showcasing African or Caribbean culture. “To me, being in LUACSA allows me to share my ideas, to talk about home freely, to learn more from my fellow peers, and see another country from another person’s point of view,” said Alice. 

    An outgoing leader and advocate, Alice has found her place within the Laurentian community and continues to improve the quality of life for her fellow students on campus.

    Black Futures keynote address, "Trust Black Women"

    Black Futures keynote address, "Trust Black Women"

    (March 2nd, 2023) - Laurentian University’s Equity, Diversity and Human Rights office and Black Lives Matter Sudbury is pleased to present the Black Futures keynotes address, Trust Black Women, on Saturday, March 4th, 2023 from 2-5:00 p.m. in the Fraser Auditorium.

    This keynote address features a one-to-one conversation with journalist, professor, activist and Halifax’s former Poet Laureate El Jones, with artist, professor, Black Lives Matter Sudbury cofounder and LU alumna, Ra’anaa Ekundayo (formerly Brown).

    In this intimate discussion, panellists will tackle themes where race and gender are foregrounded, noting how Black women have been at the helm of many movements for social change. This panel discussion will have ASL interpreters provided by Interprétation signes et paroles.

    Keynote speaker and moderator bios may be found here. Please register and obtain a ticket in advance. Laurentian students are offered a ticket free of charge. 

    Click here to view the poster.

    For further details or questions: 
    Equity, Diversity and Human Rights office, Laurentian University 
    edhr@laurentian.ca 

    Student-led team remains dedicated to providing volunteer emergency response services on Laurentian’s campus

    Student-led team remains dedicated to providing volunteer emergency response services on Laurentian’s campus

    LUCERT responders are passionate about helping members of the community.

    (December 1, 2022) - When a medical emergency occurs on campus, the Laurentian University Campus Emergency Response Team (LUCERT) is ready to step into action. Whether it be a student, a member of the public, or a Laurentian staff or faculty member requiring emergency response services, LUCERT is available to assist. 

    LUCERT is a volunteer-based, student-run team that consists of twenty-eight Laurentian students devoted to providing fast emergency response services throughout campus. Services are available 24/7 during the academic year. While LUCERT is not meant to substitute emergency response services provided by calling 9-1-1, LUCERT complements these services and other professional health and wellness services available on and off campus.

    Individuals requiring LUCERT services are encouraged to contact LUCERT regardless of their location on campus as the team responds anywhere from the Ben Avery facility all the way to the Living with the Lakes Center. 

    LUCERT trains their student volunteers to the first responder level through the Canadian Red Cross. This means that LUCERT first responders can help in many situations requiring medical assistance, from a serious medical emergency to a scraped knee. 

    By providing pre-paramedic care within their scope of practice, student volunteers are often able to provide medical care faster than 9-1-1 services. In serious circumstances, a few seconds could mean life or death. LUCERT understands how critical time can be during a medical emergency and, as such, work around the clock to ensure response times are as fast as possible. They will also connect with 9-1-1 services if further assistance is required.

    Jenna O’Neill, LUCERT’s Coordinator and third year Biomedical Biology student from Belleville, Ontario, is passionate about her role with LUCERT: “Being able to provide a service that is valuable to our students is important to me. Volunteering with LUCERT has offered a great opportunity to learn more about related careers in this field.”

    LUCERT encourages those interested in emergency first response to reach out: “Joining the LUCERT team provides an excellent opportunity to learn about pre-hospital care if you are interested in medicine or other related fields. It also offers the opportunity to make friends, as well as be an active member of our community,” says Jenna. 

    Those interested in getting involved with LUCERT should email lucert@laurentian.ca, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, or stop by their office located in Single Student Residence, Room G7.

    If a medical or mental health emergency occurs on campus, LUCERT may be contacted by phone (705-562-5456). 

    The health and safety of community members is equally important to the Campus Security team who may be reached by phone (705-673-6562). 

    We also wish to remind our community members that many other campus resources and services are also dedicated to medical and mental health and wellness, such as Counselling, Health and Wellness Services, Accessibility Services, the Peer Wellness Program, the Indigenous Student Affairs office, and the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights office (EDHRO). 
     
    Laurentian students can also access free, immediate, confidential mental health support 24/7/365 by calling 1 (844) 451-9700 or by visiting myssp.app/keepmesafe. 

    Laurentian launches Peer Wellness Program

    Laurentian launches Peer Wellness Program

    Health and wellness at forefront of University’s priorities

    (April 8, 2022) - Mental health matters. It affects how we feel, think, and behave. It also impacts how we make decisions, how we handle stress, and how we manage relationships.

    Students at Laurentian are making a positive impact toward the well-being of fellow students. While many resources and services are dedicated to support mental health and wellness, such as Counselling, Health and Wellness Services, Accessibility Services, the Indigenous Student Affairs office, and the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights office (EDHRO), the new Peer Wellness Program will contribute exponentially to student mental health and wellness. The program is in its early stages of implementation, and is already gaining traction on campus. 

    Kayla Dibblee and Amalia Secenj are amongst the many dedicated students who have contributed to the development of this Program. Dibblee is a Master’s student in Social Work and a Physical and Health Education and Education alumna, whereas Secenj is completing her final semester of the Health Promotion program.

    Describing the mission of the Peer Wellness Program, Secenj said: “It’s about providing guidance and creating goals to help support mental health and de-stigmatize mental health on campus. It’s about the development of peer support relationships amongst students.” The Program hopes to uplift the voices of student communities on campus in respectful and empathetic ways. It is designed to complement existing professional services on campus. To date, more than forty students have signed up to become peer supporters. Notably, not only will peer-to-peer relationships be fostered amongst students by the Program, but supportive resources are equally made available online. 

    Added Dibblee: “There is great value in peer-to-peer support. Power and knowledge comes from lived experience, and students, especially those equipped with the right training, can often provide excellent support for fellow students. They understand the student experience, as they themselves live this experience.” 

    Stephanie Harris, Intake Support and Community Outreach Coordinator of the EDHRO office added: “Students care about other students. They care about creating an environment where everybody feels welcomed and respected.” 

    Isabelle Chaussé, Manager of Counselling and Accessibility Services also said: “My team and I are very excited to be working with students who are passionate about mental health. We've dedicated a space within the Counselling department for the Peer Wellness Program where student peers will play a crucial role in our service delivery model. The Peer Wellness Program will enhance the experience of students feeling seen, heard, and understood. 

    Contact details for various student services: 

    Counselling Services: 705-675-1151 ext. 6506 or peerwellness@laurentian.ca 
    Accessibility Services: 705-675-1151 ext. 3324 or accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca 
    Indigenous Student Affairs office: 705-675-1151 ext. 4052 or isa@laurentian.ca 
    Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office: 705-675-1151 ext. 3427 or edhr@laurentian.ca 

    Students are also encouraged to call the Crisis Intervention Services 24 hour hotline at 705-675-4760 or Good 2 Talk, at 1-866-925-5454.