This past Homecoming, the Black Student Success Centre offered free vendor tables for student entrepreneurs to sell their unique creations
The Black Student Success Centre provided free vendor tables, located at 10 Acre Field, for student entrepreneurs on Oct. 5, 2024 during Homecoming this year. The BSSC invited makers, artists, and entrepreneurs to sell and display their creations on campus.
This provided students with the opportunity to network, market their businesses and gain significant visibility during one of the busiest days on campus. As advertised on the BSSC’s Instagram, interested students were encouraged to fill out an application form a week prior to Homecoming due to the limited spots for vendor tables.
Omolade George is a third-year student in the psychology and human behaviour program. George sold jewelry at one of the vendor tables that the BSSC offered student entrepreneurs. “My business name is Jewels by George … My business actually started earlier this year, I believe in March,” said George.
George shared that her business was inspired by her mom. “Growing up, I watched my mom dress up to go to events, parties, even church. She had this huge chunky chain necklace on her neck . . . I thought that this was very fun and that started my love for jewelry. When the opportunity arose for me to open my business here in Hamilton, I thought it would be nice to recreate that moment with other people to make them feel lovely and beautiful,” said George.
Growing up, I watched my mom dress up to go to events, parties, even church. She had this huge chunky chain necklace on her neck … I thought that this was very fun and that started my love for jewelry.
Omolade George, third-year psychology and human behaviour student
Initially, George started selling her jewelry at her church, focusing on the Nigerian community. When she learned about the vendor tables offered by the BSSC, she was eager to seize the opportunity to showcase her work on campus.
“Last year [in MUSC], I had seen that there were some vendors. I thought if that opportunity arises this year for me, I would really like to grab onto that. I had seen the posting on Instagram and I had written my bio, my name, email and everything. Then somebody reached out to me from the Black Student Success Centre to tell me I got the spot,” said George.
George was very excited to be featuring her business on campus. “I couldn’t even focus on my midterm, I was too excited . . . McMaster is a very huge campus and to have the opportunity to show students this is a part of my culture, this is a part of me that I’m showcasing on the table, was very exciting,” said George.
McMaster is a very huge campus and to have the opportunity to show students this is a part of my culture, this is a part of me that I’m showcasing on the table, was very exciting.
Omolade George, third-year psychology and human behaviour student
George felt the impact of Homecoming on her business was significant. “I feel like the black community really stepped out for me . . . I got to meet so many people. I got to hear feedback on what people really wanted. People were leaning towards bracelets and rings . . . it shifted my perspective on where my business would go,” said George.
When asked about the BSSC’s role in her entrepreneurial journey, George expressed gratitude. “I would say this support was huge . . . I definitely will be reaching out to them to see if they could support me more in the future,” said George.
I would say this support was huge . . . I definitely will be reaching out to them to see if they could support me more in the future.
Omolade George, McMaster psychology and human behaviour student
George also acknowledged some challenges, particularly pertaining to cultural appropriation. “I feel like non-black individuals feel that when they buy my pieces it’s appropriation. I would say it’s open to everybody. The pieces are definitely formal wear. So even if they don’t feel comfortable wearing it everyday I would say to still purchase it, it will make you feel lovely,” said George.
Ultimately, George’s goal is to spread joy through her jewelry. “Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they purchase the item definitely reinforced me . . . I want people to feel beautiful when they wear my pieces and that definitely inspired me to keep going and find time for my business,” said George.
As she looks to the future, George is excited about expanding her reach and establishing a more accessible online presence. “From this experience, I definitely learned that packaging and advertisement is huge,” said George.
The BSSC's vendor tables during Homecoming 2024 was a significant event for student entrepreneurs, particularly for those like Omolade George, who showcased their talents and connected with the campus community. The BSSC's initiative to provide free vendor tables not only created networking and visibility but also fostered a sense of cultural pride and creativity among participants.
McMaster's African and Black Diaspora Studies hosted a transformative discussion exploring the vital intersections of decolonization, creativity and cultural expression
The African and Black Diaspora Studies interdisciplinary minor at McMaster University kicked off its seminar series on Oct. 8 with a session called Decolonizing Arts, Music And Communications. This session featured a panel of three Black-identifying professors that engaged in an in-depth discussion about the significance of representation in the arts.
African and Black Diaspora Studies is an undergraduate interdisciplinary minor that offers courses spanning various departments at McMaster. These courses provide an understanding of African and African/Black-diaspora peoples and societies in an international context.
Decolonizing the arts involves talking about the importance of including diverse perspectives into the arts, as well as the audience that artwork and media caters to and how it is received.
Hosea Patrick, a postdoctoral fellow and the chair of the African and Black Diaspora Studies seminar series committee, provided information about the seminar to the Silhouette via email.
“The rationale is to have a platform for academic and non-academic engagement on issues that affect the Black and African diaspora. This is an opportunity for people doing various work on black studies and experiences to share their work as well as allow others to collaborate with each other,” stated Patrick.
The session took place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in The Hub. The panel featured associate professors Alpha Abeb and Selina Mudavanhu and assistant professor Syrus Marcus Ware.
The session was split into two main parts: a discussion and social. The discussion began with each panelist presenting their own artwork or other pieces they've encountered firsthand, highlighting the intersections of Black creativity, culture, and communication.
This was followed by the social portion for networking. This itinerary allowed students to engage with panelists to question their perspectives and foster an insightful conversation.
“It means a lot to me … I think it’s really important that there are more of us [Black professors] and that we are connected to each other,” expressed Abebe, who is an associate professor in the faculty of humanities and the lead for African and Black Diaspora Studies.
It means a lot to me … I think it’s really important that there are more of us [Black professors] and that we are connected to each other.
Alpha Abebe, associate professor and lead Faculty of Humanities, African and Black Diaspora Studies
For the first part of the event, the three panelists were introduced along with their works and backgrounds. This was followed by a discussion where the panelists were asked questions regarding decolonization in the arts by the panel moderator and later the audience.
The networking session that followed allowed the panelists, students and other McMaster staff in attendance to meet and discuss the topics with each other. "What you have access to in your classroom is only a sliver of the activity that’s happening on university campuses,” said Abebe, commenting on the importance of networking opportunities such as the seminar.
What you have access to in your classroom is only a sliver of the activity that’s happening on university campuses
Alpha Abebe, associate professor and lead Faculty of Humanities, African and Black Diaspora Studies
Decolonizing Arts, Music And Communications was the first of four seminars in an ABLD series that showcases insightful conversations and networking opportunities for students. “The central theme for the year is "Exploring Black Experiences in Canada." This particular seminar happening eighth October 2024 focuses on decolonizing arts, music and communications. Others will look at other areas of decolonization from science and technology (21st November 2024) to decolonizing history (6th Feb. 2025) and decolonizing business (13th March 2025),” stated Patrick.
“What we’re trying to do here is not replicate the institutional structures that have always alienated us [people of colour] . . . I hope they [students] come and know they are welcomed with open arms and that they feel a sense of ownership and entitlement to be part of this process of dreaming up what this community looks like,” said Abebe.
I hope they [students] come and know they are welcomed with open arms and that they feel a sense of ownership and entitlement to be part of this process of dreaming up what this community looks like
Alpha Abebe, Associate Professor Faculty of Humanities
Students are encouraged to keep up to date with this seminar series and explore other opportunities through the ABLD minor's Instagram.
Different generations of African diaspora share theirstories through performance in celebration of Black history month
After taking a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, NEXIM International Development Organization returned to Canada to honour Black history month. NIDO is an international social enterprise aiming to support communities in Uganda and improve access to education and human rights. This year, they created a series of events to promote their core focus of the four Es – Education, Environment, Equality and Economic Sustainability.
This event started in 2013 and the last time it was held was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this event was to raise awareness and provide a cultural exchange by bringing artists’ talents and putting a spotlight on Uganda as part of their continuous efforts to support the country. So far, they have helped to build a secondary school and they are hoping to build more primary schools.
The event featured three generations: Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a civil rights legend; Emmanuel Jal, a war child survivor from the Sudan war, peace ambassador, NIDO ambassador and music artist and the Suubi Fusion Troupe, a dance group consisting of NIDO’s secondary school students from Uganda ages 10 to 20 years old.
Danny Wells, project lead and communications manager at NIDO, wanted to help Black artists share their stories and talents around the world.
“A lot of [the guest speakers and performers] came from underprivileged families that may have led to some difficulties because of . . . economic instability, where they live, where they access education . . .This opportunity [allowed them to] share their culture and talents,” explained Wells.
By showcasing the challenges, history and difficulty accessing education encountered by the African diaspora, it spread messages of the importance of providing opportunities for self-empowerment to unlock one’s full potential. Due to various factors, those from Uganda often have to overcome barriers to receive these opportunities. By having the performers share their stories through arts and music, Wells wished to prompt attendees to reflect on the injustices they have experienced in their own lives and how they overcame them.
“We hope people . . . [feel] the power of the music, the power of culture, the power of story, whether we've been disenfranchised in our own lives,” said Wells.
“We hope people . . . [feel] the power of the music, the power of culture, the power of story, whether we've been disenfranchised in our own lives,”
Danny Wells, project lead and communications manager at NIDO
A significant part of the event was music and dance, particularly through Suubi Fusion Troupe and Emmanuel Jal, who primarily focused on celebrating African tradition and evolving global culture through their performances.
The students of Suubi Fusion Troupe shared their personal stories while healing and moving on from their past traumatic experiences through their performance using African music and drums.
Wells hopes visitors left the event wanting to spread the word about the talent and stories from the performances. He also wanted to inspire everyone to share their stories, make changes in their communities and be creative.
“Our economy is growing globally – in terms of different nations working together [and] building together. Especially . . . [in] Canada, a land of so many different immigrants, it's important that we can find common ground and work together as a global community,” explained Wells.
Overall, it is important to take time to reflect on global historical events that deprived Black youth of their fundamental human rights. This event aspired to bring together a community of likeminded individuals and establish a strong connection with the performers and audience, while sharing stories about three generations of Black history.
