About the Black Student Centre
The Black Student Centre aims to provide an adaptive response to SFU's diverse Black community's urgent needs and interests by providing culturally appropriate resources that are representative of diverse cultures, intersectional identities and Black experiences.
The Black Student Centre will continue to uphold the principles of promoting Black flourishing and fostering inclusive excellence, as outlined in the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education.
ABOUT THE SPACE
The Black Student Centre is comprised of four adjacent spaces within the Maggie Benson Centre including:
- An open area for social drop-ins, activities, community events and cultural gatherings.
- Dedicated rooms for scheduled wellness activities.
- A private space for one-on-one student support services.
WHY A BLACK STUDENT CENTRE
Anti-Black racism is a reality that post-secondary institutions continue to contend with. Research reveals that Black-identifying students in historically white institutions in North America face numerous challenges that impact their academic success. These challenges include, but are not limited to, daily instances of individualized micro-aggression, implicit and explicit bias, racial discrimination and other dehumanizing practices in and out of the classroom that result in the alienation and marginalization of Black-identifying students.
To address systemic and institutional racism, post-secondary institutions in Canada, including SFU, are acknowledging the need for culturally affirming and safe environments. We recognize the importance of support systems that strengthen community ties for Black-identifying students, enhancing their academic success and overall well-being.