Dear Humber Community,

As we reflect on Black Heritage Month, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Black Student Support & Engagement (BSSE) for their leadership in curating a month of powerful events that fostered learning, community-building, and action. This year’s theme, "Roots & Rhythms: Celebrating Black Culture, Creativity, and Community," honoured the deep legacies, artistic expressions, and collective strength of Black communities.

Through this lens, BSSE and our campus partners created spaces for engagement, reflection, and celebration—reinforcing Humber Polytechnic’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB). This work is both meaningful and necessary, especially at a time when so many organizations are scaling back their Black Heritage Month celebrations. Humber remains steadfast in its commitment to recognizing and uplifting Black voices, histories, and contributions—not just in February, but throughout the year.

Black Heritage Month: Advancing Belonging

Aligned with Humber’s Building Brilliance framework and our EDIB Action Plan, Black Heritage Month fostered a powerful sense of connection, culture, and celebration, making a tangible impact across our community.

• Opening Ceremonies: Over 310 attendees gathered for a dynamic kickoff, setting an inspiring tone for the month ahead.
• BSSE-Led Programming: More than eight impactful events created spaces for learning, empowerment, and joy. Highlights included Basketball & Community, where the Black Heritage Humber Hawk jerseys were unveiled, the BSSE Melanin Market, showcasing 12+ Black-owned local businesses, and Battle of Jollof, which engaged over 350 students in a celebration of culture and culinary pride.
• Campus Partnerships: 10+ meaningful collaborations with campus partners helped elevate Black culture and heritage across Humber, strengthening our collective commitment to belonging.

Sustaining the Momentum: Black Heritage 365

Black Heritage Month may be over, but the work of honouring Black brilliance, advancing equity, and fostering meaningful change continues year-round. We encourage you to stay engaged, keep learning, and actively support the Black community—not just in February, but every day.

Here are some ways you can continue to be part of this important work:

• Attend Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, March 24 – Celebrating Black Brilliance: Creativity as a Catalyst for Community Empowerment (Lakeshore)
  • Wednesday, March 26 – Afro-Indigenous Histories & Identities (Virtual)

• Explore the Black Student Library Guide
  The Black Student Library Guide offers a curated collection of resources, books, and research materials that celebrate Black history, culture, and excellence.

• Support Black Students Through the BA-ERG Visionary Scholarship Program
  Invest in the future of Black students at Humber by donating to the Black & African-Employee Resource Group Visionary Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to Black students pursuing their education.

How to Donate:

• New payroll gift: Make a donation. Choose “Other” as the designation and enter “BAERG SCHOLARSHIP.”
• Modify an existing payroll gift: Email sussie.mugre@humber.ca to request a change in designation to the BAERG Scholarship.

I want to personally acknowledge the dedication and effort of those who take on this work—not just in organizing events, but in creating spaces for critical dialogue, celebration, and connection. Your contributions are invaluable, and they help move our institution forward in meaningful ways.

Thank you to BSSE, our campus partners, and all who participated in driving this work forward. Black Heritage Month exemplifies our collective commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and community-driven learning environment. Let’s continue to build brilliance together—honouring Black heritage, championing equity, and shaping a future where all voices thrive.

Yasmin Razack
Dean, Inclusion & Belonging
Humber Polytechnic

The March edition of the WeGotYou Splash is here!

This month's edition presents a message from Dr. Sterling Crowe, Associate Dean of Student Wellness and Equitable Learning, who shares updates and resources for staff and faculty to assist you in your roles as educators and staff. Additionally, we are featuring the highlights from the black heritage month, news about Humber Hawk, popular social media videos, and upcoming events and drop-in sports to keep you informed.

We invite you to explore WeGotYou Splash.

To the Humber Community, 

The Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform anti-abortion group has indicated they plan to hold a small outreach event outside at Humber’s North and Lakeshore campuses on March 10 from approximately 2:30 to 3:45 p.m.  

The group has visited on past occasions and based on those experiences we have worked to limit the impact of their visit while accepting their right to peacefully assemble on Humber property under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

We expect the group to be located just off the crosswalk between the bus loop and the LRC at the North Campus, and on the public sidewalks along Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive at the Lakeshore Campus. In both locations, the group is to remain outside of campus buildings. In order to minimize engagement, you can consider avoiding this area by using a different entrance to access the campuses. 

The group have agreed to remain in these locations while at Humber. Participants typically have signs and materials that contain graphic material that many people find upsetting or disturbing. They may distribute literature and/or attempt to engage people in dialogue. Please also note that interactions with the group may be filmed by the participants.  

You do not have to interact, speak with or receive any materials the group may be trying to hand out. It is advised that you avoid provocation or confrontation with participants. Should you require support before, during or after the group’s visit, available services include:  

• Therapy Assist Online   
• Employee Assistance Plan services. 

Students may also indicate a need for support. Please direct them to the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre. Also, GoodToTalk (1.866.925.5454) is a 24-hour mental health support for post-secondary students in Ontario.   

Please contact Andrew Leopold by email or Teams if you have any questions. 

Jennifer O’Brien 
Vice-President, People(s) and Culture 

Sip & Chill Mobile service is back at the North Campus for March. This in-person mobile service is designed to bring information directly to students in their primary campus spot—the classroom.

How does it work?

Professors/faculty members can book the cart to arrive during a class break. The Sip & Chill Mobile Cart will be in the classroom to give students access to information about student resources, upcoming events, giveaways, and a complimentary beverage.

How to request a visit

Professors/faculty members can schedule a visit from the Sip & Chill Mobile Resources Cart to arrive during their class breaks using the online booking form or QR code. Reservations are limited to one visit per class per semester.

If you have additional questions or if you need an alternate date option for booking, connect with Tuba at tuba.chishti@humber.ca and we will try our best to accommodate.