Dr. Camisha Sibblis, Director of the Black Scholars Institute (BSI), and Melissa Lewis, Administrative Assistant to the Director, celebrate the upcoming launch of the BSI at the University of Windsor. The institute is dedicated to advancing Black academic excellence and fostering community engagement, with its official launch and the opening of the new BSI Lounge set for Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo by University of Windsor)
WINDSOR, Ont. – The Black Scholars Institute (BSI) at the University of Windsor is set to redefine academic and community engagement by centring Black scholarship, mentorship, and cultural knowledge systems.
Through innovative programming, research opportunities, and a supportive environment, the BSI aims to elevate Black academic excellence while fostering meaningful connections between campus and community.
Key moments include a virtual keynote address by renowned scholar George Sefa Dei, a panel discussion on Black research excellence, and community reflections on the significance of the institute and its grounding in liberatory practices.
“The Black Scholars Institute is more than a physical space; it is a movement. It represents the critical need to centre Black voices, scholarship, and lived experiences in higher education,” said Camisha Sibblis, BSI director.
“This institute will serve as a dynamic platform where Black scholars and community members can come together, collaborate, and create lasting impact.”
The BSI is aligned with the University’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, specifically through its participation in the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education. It will focus on fostering Black academic success, offering mentorship, supporting interdisciplinary research, and strengthening partnerships with local and global communities.
The new BSI Lounge in the lower level of the CAW Student Centre will serve as a central hub for Black students and scholars, offering a space for collaboration, cultural expression, and intellectual growth.
Dr. Sibblis said the initiative aims to build bridges between the academic community and the broader Windsor-Essex region, which has deep historical roots in the Black diaspora.
For more information about the Black Scholars Initiative, please visit uwindsor.ca/blackscholarsinstitute.