A Celebration of the Black Community at York

This collaborative event is proudly brought to you by the:

• York University Black Alumni Network (YUBAN)
• York University Black Staff Network (YUBSN)
• Black Excellence at York University (BE YU) initiative
• Student Community & Leadership Development (SCLD)
• York University-TD Community Engagement Centre and the Black community-based student organizations.

These Black community groups, alongside the support of Anti-Black Racism Advisory Council and the Center for Research on Latin America & the Caribbean (CERLAC), Division of Advancement, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD), Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), Office of the Vice President Equity, People & Culture, Black community-based student organizations will reflect on past achievements while inspiring future Black leadership and engagement on campus.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Venue: CIBC Lobby, Accolade East Building, Keele Campus, York University

Agenda:
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Welcome & Registration
6:00 PM – 6:15 PM: Opening Remarks
6:15 PM – 6:30 PM: Performance
6:30 PM – 7:15 PM: Panel Discussion
7:15 PM – 7:30 PM: Q & A session
7:30 PM – 7:45 PM: Closing Remarks
7:45 PM – 8:30 PM: Networking and Light Refreshments

Let’s honour the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future together.

Panel Discussion: “Our Black Community at York University”

Explore how York’s Black community has contributed to academia, leadership, student success, and community impact outside of York. Discuss barriers and issues facing the community.

Byron Gray (MLCE ’23) – Moderator

Byron Gray serves as the Manager of the York University-TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC), where he plays a pivotal role in fostering connections between York University and the local community. In this capacity, Byron leads initiatives aimed at enhancing access to post-secondary education, strengthening community-university partnerships, and promoting economic growth and well-being within the community.

Liban Abokor (BA ’09) – Alumni

Liban Abokor studied Political Science in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies from York University.  He co-authored the “UNFUNDED” report, which revealed philanthropic disparities affecting Black Canadian communities. He co-founded the Foundation for Black Communities which was established as Canada’s first philanthropic foundation dedicated to investing in Black communities.

April J. Walker (BSc ’05, ’08, MLCE ’19) – University Black Program Initiative – BE YU  

April J. Walker works in the Division of Students as the Inclusion and Academic Success Coordinator, focusing on the development, implementation, and assessment of Black Excellence at York University (BE YU) programming. April holds a Master of Leadership and Community Engagement as well as a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science and Engineering from York University.

Keshia Gray (BA ‘06, MEd ‘10) – Staff

York University is pleased to welcome Keshia Gray, University Registrar and Assistant Vice-Provost, as a panelist representing Black staff. A proud York alumna, Keshia holds a BA in Sociology and a Master of Education bringing nearly two decades of experience in higher education leadership. Throughout her career at York, Gray’s expertise in higher education spans a wide array of areas including student recruitment, admissions, financial aid, academic advising and strategic enrollment management.

Marcia Annisette – Faculty & University Leadership 

Marcia Annisette is currently York’s Vice-Provost Academic and a Professor of Accounting at the Schulich School of Business. Prior to becoming York’s VPA, Professor Annisette was an Associate Dean at Schulich – a position which she led for 11 years. She was the founding director of Schulich’s highly successful Master of Accounting and remained the Director of the program for its first 9 years. Professor Annisette holds a Ph.D. in Accounting from the University of Manchester, and is also a CPA, of Canada. In 2023 York University bestowed upon her the honour “University Professor”.

Jayden Shippey – Student Leader

Jayden Shippey is in his 4th year of an honours Kinesiology and Health Science degree at York University. Over the past four years at York, he has been actively involved in campus life, particularly at Stong College, where he served as a member of the Stong College Student Government and as President in the past year. His involvement also includes being a part of several key committees, such as the Student Representative Roundtable, Stong and Calumet Colleges Student Success Council, York Orientation Directors Association, and the Adjudication committee for Stong College awards and bursaries.