The Scarborough Charter on anti-Black racism and Black Inclusion is a historically important document developed by post-secondary institutions across the country to declare their commitment to take action against anti-Black racism and to foster Black inclusion in higher education and communities. As a signatory to the Charter, UM affirms the overarching principles of Black Flourishing, Inclusive Excellence, Mutuality, and Accountability.

Taking action on these principles requires: recognizing the diversity and complexity of Black peoples, including Black peoples across the gender spectrum, Black persons with disabilities, and Black peoples in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; supporting and affirming all Black voices; and investing in Black initiatives at UM.

Eligible projects

• community-building initiatives
• events
• guest speakers/public dialogue
• celebration of Black excellence
• creative projects or exhibits
• film-screenings or performances
• community engagement

The fund does not support individual research projects; teaching release; course materials or fees; conference travel; or individual professional development costs.

Projects or initiatives delivered primarily by non-UM organizations are not eligible for funding.

Application timelines

There are two rounds of funding.

The deadline to apply for Round 1 is September 22, 2025.

The deadline for Round 2 is November 28, 2025.

Award funds must be spent by March 31, 2026.

Application requirements

• Lead individual(s), including name, position and UM email address
• Organization(s) or group(s) involved, where applicable
• Self-identification as Black, Black Canadian, African, Afro-Caribbean, or Caribbean
• University of Manitoba affiliation
• Project title and project description (250 words maximum)
• Description of how the project contributes to Black flourishing at UM (250 words maximum)
• Timeline
• Budget, including any received or requested funding from other sources
• Status of any projects previously funded through the Promoting Black Flourishing Fund

Apply now for the Promoting Black Flourishing Fund!

For further information, contact the Office of Equity Transformation at equity@umanitoba.ca

In its first year, the Social Justice Hub is supporting three groups of student organizers in developing campaigns that build community and address challenges faced by the QTBIPOC community (queer and trans Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), anti-xenophobia, and accessibility/disability community.

At the Social Justice Hub Open House on December 10, UM community created artwork for the theme, “A different world is possible,” which invited students and staff to portray the just world they hope to work towards.

Through the Social Justice Hub, students gain knowledge on how to put anti-oppression and EDIA into action and develop skills through training workshops and hands-on campaigns. Organizer teams are exploring how they can create safer spaces for QTBIPOC, challenge xenophobia and racism experienced by international students, and advocate for a sensory-friendly campus for neurodivergent students.

Having the chance to address inequities that directly affect students and their communities is one of the most impactful parts of the Social Justice Hub, and plays an important role in the development of future leaders and change-makers.

Elinam Okae-Yeboah, a fourth-year student in Women and Gender Studies and English, reflected on the impact of participating in the QTBIPOC team: “The university has many commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion, but it seems like the administration falls short when it comes to making material change or decisions that will support marginalized students. I think the Social Justice Hub is important because it provides marginalized students with the training that can help them advocate for themselves.”

The wider UM community is invited to participate in the Social Justice Hub by attending our upcoming events. Join us for the Social Justice Hub Drop-Ins on the last Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. to engage in critical conversations on community organizing and social justice work. Register in advance or drop-in.

Upcoming Social Justice Hub Drop-Ins:

• February 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Self-care is community care, community care is self-care (CEL Office 203 – 55 Chancellors Circle)
• March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Group agreements, safer spaces, and relational accountability (CEL Office 203 – 55 Chancellors Circle)
• April 24, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – The revolution will be from bed (virtual) 

To receive notifications about other Social Justice Hub events, sign-up for our mailing list and follow @CELumanitoba on Instagram to learn about more upcoming workshops, programs and events from Community Engaged Learning.

UM researcher Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, associate dean and associate professor, faculty of social work, and director, Village Lab, is leading a team of stakeholders, scholars, and community leaders from across Canada in research that will drive structural change by fostering policy reforms, anti-racist health systems, and community-led solutions.

This project titled “Community-Led Structural Interventions to Improve HIV/STBBI Outcomes and Dismantle Structural Racism and Colonialism Affecting Indigenous, Black, and Racialized Communities in Manitoba” was ranked top 3^rd in applications submitted to CIHR’s Moving Upstream: Structural Determinants of Health – Catalyst Grants.

“This research is about more than just identifying barriers—it’s about dismantling them. By centering Indigenous and Black leadership in shaping structural interventions, we are creating meaningful, community-led solutions to address the systemic racism and colonialism that have long impacted HIV/STBBI outcomes,” says Dr. Souleymanov.

Over the next year, this project will examine how structural racism and colonialism embedded in key Manitoba institutions, such as child welfare, criminal justice, housing, and healthcare, contribute to increased vulnerability to HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) among Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), Black (African and Caribbean), and other racialized communities. By establishing a regional leadership network of community members, Elders, researchers, policymakers, service providers, and government representatives, the project will prioritize the leadership of Indigenous and Black communities in shaping transformative, community-led structural interventions. The project addresses the critical gap in capacity-building opportunities for Indigenous and Black scholars by equipping them with the necessary tools to lead community-driven research and advocacy efforts.

“Through partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy, we aim to transform policies, build anti-racist health systems, and ensure that those most affected by these inequities have the power to lead change,” says Dr. Souleymanov.

This interdisciplinary project brings together a diverse team led by Dr. Souleymanov and the Village Lab, is co-led by Dr. Bolaji Akinyele-Akanbi, Faculty of Social Work, and Dr. Alexadra King, Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. The initiative is conducted in collaboration with Indigenous-led organizations, including Ka Ni Kanichihk, Inc., Waniska!, CAAN, Two-Spirit Consultants, Inc., and the FEAST Centre.

The study brings together peers with lived experience, Indigenous and Black scholars, provincial health strategists, the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, the Manitoba HIV Program, and both local and national HIV/AIDS service agencies, leveraging the Village Lab’s partnerships to transform HIV/STBBI prevention and care in Manitoba.

The project is also committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers, with emerging Indigenous and Black trainees playing a key role in its execution.

The Faculty of Social Work is proud to support this impactful research, which aligns with its commitment to social justice, equity, and community-driven scholarship.

In 2017, the Report of the United Nations Working Group for People of African Descent  pointed out, during its mission to Canada, that anti-Black racism in Canadian institutions and policies has become so entrenched that it is “functionally normalized or rendered invisible, especially to the dominant group”. Black communities in Canada today continue to endure injustices and inequalities. The UN Working Group Report recommended the development and implementation of a justice strategy to address the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system.

Canada’s Black Justice Strategy is the federal government’s response to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination in Canada that has led to this overrepresentation. The Strategy was developed in consultation with Black communities across Canada with an external Steering Group of experts and leaders. Faculty of Law alum Zilla Jones was appointed a member of this Steering Group and co-authored the resulting Steering Group Report titled A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.

The Report sets out 114 recommendations to address anti-Black racism including eight overarching accountability measures that would have significant impact across the criminal justice system. The Report was published in July, 2024, and on February 25, 2025, the Department of Justice Canada announced the release of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy’s Implementation Plan.

Join the Faculty of Law for this unique opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion on justice and equity. This event is free but seating is limited, so please let us know you are coming. Register here.

Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Location: Robson Hall, 224 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg
Doors Open: 5:30 PM | Keynote & Panel: 6:00 PM
Free parking behind Robson Hall – check Google Maps: “University of Manitoba L Lot: https://maps.umanitoba.ca

Clarke has been organizing similar events since 2018 and they’ve been held across Canada and even in Barbados, he said. 

Some previous barbershop talks focused on sexuality and sexual health, well-being and relationship building within peer groups, he said. 

“It’s been a very important conversation for many Black men and boys,” he said. 

To read the entire article, please follow the link to CBC Manitoba.