Black Student Centre opens during Black History Month

Simon Fraser University is proud to announce the opening of the Black Student Centre, a newly renovated and dedicated space created to support SFU's diverse Black community.

About the Black Student Centre

The Black Student Centre is a source of support, community and connection for Black-identifying students, faculty and staff. Designed with Black students’ experiences and needs at the forefront, the Centre provides a welcoming environment where members of SFU's Black community can gather, connect and access support and resources. The space is culturally grounded in African and diasporic design and includes four interconnected areas that support social gathering, wellness focused activities and confidential support. It also contains a community kitchen used for communal events and gatherings.  

Upcoming events and programming

To mark the opening of the Centre and in celebration of Black History Month, several events are planned, including:

• February 6, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Student Day Open House (open to students, registration required)
• February 19, 10:00 am – 12:00 PM, Sustaining Hope: The Ongoing Journey of Black Inclusion in Higher Education (open to SFU community, registration required)
• February 19 – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Black Student Centre Opening Celebration (by invitation)
• February 26 – 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Celebrating Black Heritage through Caribbean Cuisine at the Dining Commons (registration required)

Advancing SFU’s commitment to culturally appropriate and identity-affirming services 

The opening of the Black Student Centre represents an important step in SFU’s continued commitment to providing permanent, culturally appropriate and identity-affirming support services for Black-identifying students. The Centre is part of the university's broader institutional efforts to address systemic barriers, strengthen student support, and ensure all students feel a sense of belonging and community throughout their experience at SFU. The Centre also fulfils SFU’s commitments under the Scarborough Charter on Anti Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education.

Location and hours

The Black Student Centre is located in the Maggie Benson Centre at SFU’s Burnaby Campus in room 2270 and will be open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Over the coming weeks, the Centre will be rolling out its services and supports. Check out the Black Student Centre for more information.