COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES FACULTY ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2023 – BLACK TO THE FUTURE; AFRO-FUTURISM & LEGACY BUILDING
The College of the Rockies Faculty Association (CORFA) is honoured to present its 3rd annual celebration of Black History Month through a series of in-person events.
We invite all members of the College of the Rockies Community to partake in these events over February & March 2023. All events have been coordinated by College of the Rockies Student Alumni Michelle Chan and will be facilitated by Michelle Chan, Nick Munjeri and alumni Raj Maru.
Black History Month is observed across Canada every February, providing an opportunity to share and learn about the experiences, contributions and achievements of peoples of African, Caribbean, Afro- Latinx and Afro-Indigenous ancestry across Canada and beyond. Black Canadians and their communities have played a significant role in shaping Canada’s heritage and identity making it the nation we know today but this is a version of history that is often overlooked. A fundamental value of CORFA is solidarity and we stand with all BIPoC peoples, working towards transforming our work and learning environments into safe, thriving spaces for all.
This year, we bring to you a different approach of celebrating the achievements and the efforts of Black inventors and changemakers as well as a different technique of learning & offering exposure by hosting 3 main in-person events focused on some of our main stakeholders; students, staff & faculty, and lastly, the community.
We hope that these events not only create a legacy but also leave a mark on your heart forever and urge you to be pioneers of change, not only for the month of February but from this moment henceforth.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2023
FACULTY BINGO
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023 @4:30 PM MST
ROOM KC244, COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES, CRANBROOK CAMPUS
This year, we are taking a different approach to imparting knowledge when it comes to Black history, culture, art, academics & outreach efforts. We have designed a one of a kind, game of bingo for CUPE members, CORFA members and COTR students with the intention of providing them with gentle lessons and exposure to the impact of Black changemakers, artists and scholars in their own time.
Bingo sheets are available for pick up in the following locations TBA and digital copies are available in your email.
On Tuesday, February 28th at 4:30PM MST, we have a mixer open to all College related participants to come together over snacks & beverages to discuss the experience in participating in this game of bingo as well as the overall impact it had on them, their career and/or academic field and the course of action they plan on implementing going forward to integrate inclusion of Black excellence in their curriculum.
To register for this event, click here.
COMMUNITY SIP & PAINT NIGHT
FRIDAY, MARCH 3RD, 2023 @ 6 PM MST
THE ART ROOM, COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES CRANBROOK CAMPUS
We invite members of the Cranbrook community, CUPE and CORFA members as well as COTR students to this therapeutic event that is free of charge to unwind, de-stress and relax with us as we craft masterpieces that encourage our free expression and celebrate together.
The intention for this event is to provide a safe space to attendees to talk, get to know each other and network. This event is centered for beginners and will be led by Nick Munjeri.
This event celebrates Black & Afro-Indigenous creatives and pays respect to rest as resistance.
Art materials will be provided and we encourage you to wear items of clothing that you do not mind getting paint on.
Appetizers will be available courtesy of Ella’s and we will have a lemonade stand courtesy of Flippin Crepes as well as other snack options available.
To register for this event, click here.
SANKOFA SATURDAY
SATURDAY, MARCH 11TH, 2023 @8PM MST
AT FENWICK & BAKER RESTAURANT
Sankofa means to “retrieve or to go back and get.”
It is a Twi word, a language spoken in Ghana, West Africa and associated with the proverb, “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi,” which translates as “it is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.”
To honour those that came before us and ensured that there would be a seat at the table for us, join us for a voyage of Afro-inspired & international sounds as we give you a glimpse into the sacredness of community and the beauty of festivity inspired behind Black History Month as we make room for today’s generation of movers & shakers.
Through this event, we aim to highlight the importance of carving our own paths and triggering change by creating space for ourselves even when told and/or shown that there is no room for us.
This event aims to invoke change in the Cranbrook tourism, entertainment and student life experience by creating a unified and equitable night of opportunity for students to indulge in an Afro-inspired night of socializing and networking which is the first of its kind in College of the Rockies history through partnership with local businesses.
This event is open for CUPE & CORFA members as well as members of the community that are above the age of 19 as per British Columbia provincial laws.
ID will be required for attendees.
To register for this event, click here.
SUPPORTERS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOR 2023
These events are sponsored in part by College of the Rockies, CUPE Local 2773 & College of the Rockies Students Association.
We offer immense gratitude for your support and engagement in this important series for 2023, thank you for being changemakers along with us!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH RESOURCES
An initial compilation of resources have been developed for Black History Month by Michelle Chan and are available here.
We look forward to this list of resources being available for the College Community as a legacy for learning and engagement throughout the year.
Additional resources compiled by CORFA representatives Ben Tippett and Amber Peterson are available for access here as referenced in the bingo cards.
CORFA LEGACY PROJECTS:
UJAMAA BURSARY
To commemorate our first Black History Month series of events, College of the Rockies Faculty Association (CORFA) and Black History Month Organizer, Michelle Chan (2021 & 2022 series), founded the Ujamaa Bursary in February 2021.
“Ujamaa is a Swahili word for ‘cooperative or collective economics.’ It can also be used to define ‘community’, or it can be a neutral term when describing something communal e.g. brotherhood, sisterhood.
Ujamaa is one of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba). Kwanzaa is such a significant and symbolic holiday for the African and the Black community as it is a chance for us to celebrate ourselves, our unique history and our culture, hence it being a perfect fit for the bursary as well as its introduction during Black History Month.” – Michelle Chan, BBA, Black History Month coordinator – 2021
Amount: $1500 to be split between up to three applicants to be applied to any education-related or living expense. This bursary is available in the fall semester.
Eligibility: The student must be a member of the Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC) Community. Student must have attended classes at the College for at least one semester (on a full or part-time basis) and plan to attend classes at the College in the following semester. Students from ALL program areas are eligible to apply. This bursary is open to both International and Domestic Students.
Selection: Demonstrated commitment to furthering their education. Student must submit a short essay (up to 300 words) stating how this award will benefit them and their community. If there are multiple qualified applicants, grades may be used to determine the recipients.
More information on how to apply for the Ujamaa Bursary can be found here.
BLACK STUDENT & ALUMNI NETWORK
The intention of this network is to provide mentorship, networking, guidance and support to BIPOC local and international students as an outreach & wellness extension of COTR Alumni by matching alumni mentors to students that will benefit from their life experience, immigration story or career advice to provide students with support throughout their learning experience and adequately prepare them for life as graduates.
This network is still in development, updates will be announced soon.