The Black Student Success Centre builds bridges and celebrates excellence at this year's Black Student Welcome
Three years after its virtual launch in September 2021, the Black Student Success Centre celebrated its fourth annual Black Student Welcome with a great turnout. Held on September 5, 2024, this cherished event continues to connect new Black-identifying McMaster students with peers and faculty.
The BSSC, McMaster University's first dedicated space for Black students, has swiftly become a cornerstone of support and community. It provides an environment where students can express their culture, celebrate their diversity and strengthen their identity and connections with one another.
This supportive atmosphere has been of great benefit to the success of many students. Jholene Massy, a recent biology graduate and current master’s student at McMaster, highlighted this expressed this in an interview with The Silhouette. “Nobody wants to stay somewhere where they don't feel supported and they don't feel welcome. So that was definitely something I took into consideration when I was looking at graduate schools," said Massy.
Nobody wants to stay somewhere where they don't feel supported and they don't feel welcome. So that was definitely something I took into consideration when I was looking at graduate schools.
Jholene Massy, master's student
The BSSC offers a comprehensive range of sources designed to foster student success, from financial aid and mental health support to mentorship programs and career guidance.
The Black Student Welcome event, which occurs during the first week of each fall semester, serves as an introduction for both new and returning students. It allows them to see themselves represented and valued within their academic community. Massy emphasized the importance of this representation at the event. “I think a big part of knowing your community is seeing the community. And even though you don’t know everybody in the room, you know that everybody is there for the same reason, which is just to support each other,” said Massy.
I think a big part of knowing your community is seeing the community. And even though you don't know everybody in the room, you know that everybody is there for the same reason, which is just to support each other.
Jholene Massy, master's student
The event kicked off with a lively meet and greet, where students and faculty from all departments could interact and make connections. Attendees had the chance to engage with Black professors, alumni, and supporters who contribute to the BSSC’s mission of growth and enrichment.
In its fourth year of occurrence, the event’s popularity has continued to soar, requiring extra chairs and adjustments to accommodate the growing number of attendees. The BSSC’s dedicated student volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring the event ran smoothly, managing the flow of guests and adapting to the evolving environment.
Following the meet and greet, participants heard from BSSC staff about the programs and resources available throughout the year. The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion featuring Black McMaster faculty and graduate students, who shared their personal experiences navigating their academic journeys. This panel offered valuable insights into the challenges faced by Black students, from international student issues to racial isolation.
Massy also emphasized the importance of this representation. “You get to see professors that look like you. You get to see staff members and researchers that look like you. And representation really does matter in these areas and in these spaces. Even just seeing and knowing that there is somebody up there that looks like me, I could do it because they did; it really makes all the difference,” said Massy
You get to see professors that look like you. You get to see staff members and researchers that look like you. And representation really does matter in these areas and in these spaces ... Even just seeing and knowing that there is somebody up there that looks like me, I could do it because they did; it really makes all the difference.
Jholene Massy, master's student
The evening concluded with a reception featuring free food and beverages, providing a setting for participants to network and share their aspirations with one another. For those who may have missed the event, Massy offered a final piece of advice when speaking to the Silhouette. “And if you missed the welcome, then there's no worries, there’s so many events throughout the year. You never know what doors might open up from going to the BSSC,” said Massy
The BSSC remains a vital resource for Black students at McMaster. For more information on upcoming events or resources, check out BSSC's Instagram and join the mailing list! Whether it's to get involved, connect with staff, or expand your network, the BSSC is here to support your journey.
C/O Black Students' Association
From relationships to entertainment and wellness, BSA invites Black students to relax and chat with different editions of the MacChats series
In a school of over 30,000 students, how do you find community? Sometimes it might be about connecting with those who share the same interests and passions; sometimes, it can be about finding a bond in shared experiences.
Created about two years ago, McMaster’s Black Students’ Association recognized the minority of Black students on campus and aimed to create a community where all Black students can connect with one another.
Ashley Assam, BSA’s president, explained that the importance of creating unique spaces for Black students lies in the uniqueness of Black experiences in the first place.
“There's no secret that Black people have been marginalized for a very long time, especially given everything that happened a couple years ago with all these cases of police brutality and obviously the murder of George Floyd. It definitely took a hit on the community and I feel like having a space is necessary because Black students also face these mental health challenges that have to do with their own experiences, but [these] don't often go addressed or they will need to get addressed by someone else who understands their experience,” said Assam.
One of the events that BSA has been hosting is called MacChats. MacChats invites Black students to get together for casual conversations. Usually, a theme will be announced for each MacChats discussion, but students are not limited to speaking about those topics only.
This winter semester, BSA has hosted a total of three MacChats so far with varying themes. This includes conversations about relationships, sports, entertainment and well-being.
Assam explained that during these events, BSA members will pose a number of questions to the group and allow students to carry their own conversations. With limited capacity for in-person events, MacChats have been held on Zoom so far and breakout rooms are often used for people to divide into smaller groups.
Although MacChats serve as a space for casual conversation, Assam shared that MacChats help cultivate deeper, meaningful conversations as well. For example, in their first event about relationships, there were discussions about what it means to engage in relationships with other races as a Black person.
Some of these discussions may be more sensitive or up for debate, Assam explained, but what’s important is that BSA wants everyone to learn from each other.
“The whole purpose is not to like shut down other people's ideas; it's just a place for you to voice your opinions and also kind of learn from other people and learn about what they think,” said Assam.
With its unique role on campus, BSA acts as a social group where students can relax and bond with one another during events like MacChats, but Assam added that BSA is also there to help Black students succeed. BSA will often share resources to help connect Black students with opportunities in hopes of helping them feel supported throughout their time at McMaster.
To Assam, BSA is about having a safe space with this special community.
“BSA really just means having a community of people on campus that truly just want the best for you. So, what we tried to do with BSA is let every Black student know that you don't have to be any way — any certain way. You don't have to adhere to any stereotype. You don't have to look a certain way just to exist as who you are. [Y]ou're free to be who you are and we accept you as who you are and we want to see you succeed,” said Assam.
