Logistical hurdles at McMaster’s 4th Black Grad highlight the expanding needs of the Black student community

McMaster’s Black Student Success Center hosted its 4th Annual Black Excellence Graduation Celebration on May 20, 2025. The event, a key celebration of academic achievement, cultural pride and community, encountered significant challenges this year stemming from logistical issues related to its venue and growing attendance.

One of the most notable changes to this year’s Black Grad was the shift in venue. Last year, the graduation ceremony was held at the FirstOntario Concert Hall, which offered ample space for both the ceremony and guests. The venue also provided an academic procession, a key feature of the event, where graduates traditionally walk across the stage to receive their recognition.

This year, the event was moved to the fourth floor of the Hub, a significantly smaller space that could not accommodate the growing number of attendees.

Concerns were raised about the event and the resources available to support the expanding Black student community.

3rd annual Black Grad at FirstOntario Concert Hall
C/O Abigail Samuels
This year's Black Grad at the Hub
C/O Abigail Samuels

Faith Ogunkoya, manager of the Black Student Success Centre, stated in an email that the venue change was primarily due to funding constraints. The FirstOntario Concert Hall, while offering ample space, came with high operational costs that the BSSC could no longer afford this year. “While the FirstOntario Concert Hall is beautiful, it's quite costly and comes with significant operational constraints,” Ogunkoya stated.

Last year, the graduation ceremony shared the FirstOntario Concert Hall with another convocation ceremony in an effort to reduce costs. Ogunkoya shared how, despite the intention to offer a more accessible and cost-effective space, the venue change led to a host of logistical issues and ultimately explored campus-based locations. “The Hub offered a more flexible, community-oriented environment aligned with our evolving goals and available resources,” stated Ogunkoya.

The overcrowding in the Hub left many attendees standing throughout the ceremony. Stephen DeCordova, McMaster Students Union vice-president (education) and graduating student, shared that his pregnant sister-in-law had to leave halfway through the ceremony due to a lack of seating. “There was a sizeable portion of guests who were standing,” DeCordova said, confirming that there was no overflow room or livestreaming option available.

The growing Black student population at McMaster has led to an increasing demand for spaces like Black Grad, and this year’s event highlighted the ongoing limitations of the current venues. The BSSC, launching its service in 2021 and operating on campus since 2022, has been integral in providing mentorship, culturally relevant services and programming for Black students.

Abigail Samuels, a fifth-year Life Sciences student and photographer for both the third and fourth Black Grad celebrations, discussed how the BSSC has seen a marked increase in demand. “The BSSC has a physical space, and the number one complaint is [that] it’s not big enough. We’re maxed out of space,” said Samuels.

According to the McMaster Student Affairs 2023-2024 Annual Report, there was a 31.67 per cent increase in appointments, a 128.7 per cent increase in registrants for workshops and webinars and a 50 per cent increase in total visits to the BSSC lounge. These statistics reflect the growing need of the expanding community of Black students.

Ogunkoya acknowledged the community’s concerns, explaining that, while the decision was made in the spirit of community and financial prudence, it didn’t work entirely as planned. “We were deeply moved to see that demand exceeded our capacity. Some students and families were understandably disappointed,” Ogunkoya stated.

BSSC Faith Ogunkoya making keynote speech at 4th annual Black Grad
C/O Abigail Samuels
3rd annual Black Grad academic procession
C/O Abigail Samuels

The venue constraints also limited the traditional elements of the ceremony. The academic procession, a traditional and highly anticipated part of the event, was eliminated this year due to space constraints. Instead, the graduates stood and placed their Kente stoles around their own necks. While the Kente stole ceremony retains significant cultural meaning, many students felt the shift lacked the formality and grandeur of previous years.

“Students were told to stand up, face their parents, and put their Kente stoles on…It was disappointing because Black Graduation has become something that people really look forward to,” said Samuels, while still acknowledging the symbolic but less formal alternative.

A Kente stole is a traditional garment typically worn during graduation ceremonies to represent African heritage, struggle, solidarity and achievement. In 2023, McMaster Daily News described the third annual Black Grad, where graduates walked the stage and had their Kente stoles placed on them with pride, accompanied by “fierce cheers” from attendees.  

Samuel has also noted the lack of attendance of the University's administration.

3rd annual Black Grad commencement and Kente stole hooding
C/O Abigail Samuels
4th annual Black Grad graduate
C/O Abigail Samuels

Students like DeCordova and Samuels, who were among the first to experience the BSSC in its early stages in 2021, reflected on the disappointment of many students. “After seeing last year’s event — how big, how grandiose and amazing it was — it made some people feel like they didn’t get the opportunity to have what they imagined,” said DeCordova.

Despite these challenges, the sense of community and the event’s significance were not lost on attendees. DeCordova shared that while the event did not match the scale of previous years, it was still meaningful. “It was still an enjoyable experience, but I think a lot of that enjoyment did come from the fact that I was surrounded by a lot of people that I’ve been with for the past four years. They’ve seen me grow,” DeCordova said with optimism.

“Black Grad is so much more than just a ceremony. It’s about community, it’s about coming together to celebrate our shared struggles and triumphs. But it’s clear that the event needs to evolve as the community grows,” said Samuels.

As the university continues to see an increase in Black students, there is a clear need for larger, more suitable venues to host such significant events.

Ogunkoya emphasized that the BSSC would be taking the feedback seriously, especially regarding space and logistics. “We are now reflecting deeply on how to hold this celebration in a way that honours intimacy, inclusion, and financial responsibility,” she stated. The BSSC is continuing to explore on-campus options such as the University’s gymnasium that could accommodate future graduations.

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.

In honor of the one-year anniversary of their in-person office, we reviewed the journey of the Black Student Success Centre, from their launch to some of their current initiatives and services.  

As of this February, the Black Student Success Centre has been open in-person for one year. In this time, they have organized numerous events, administered mental health services and worked to foster an open community gathering space for Black students.  

The BSSC is an MSU service that launched in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opening virtually at first, the BSSC transitioned to in-person services on Feb. 7, 2022. The one-year anniversary of their in-person office, located in PGCLL, occurred during this past Black History Month.  

The centre was first created in response to discussions surrounding Black student experiences, as well as a notable review released in 2020 discussing anti-Black racism within McMaster University’s student athlete community.  

Some of the services and resources offered by the BSSC include mental health and wellness support, financial literacy workshops and community building initiatives.  

In a conversation with The Silhouette, BSSC Program Support Assistant Toluwalase Dayo-Olaide explained that the centre fulfills an important need for a community hub, which Black students at McMaster were previously missing.  

“There was never any central hub for [Black students] to meet other Black students. I didn't even know Mac really had any Black students. So, coming in and seeing people, connecting with people, having this space, I think it's something that incoming students are really going to benefit from,” said Dayo-Olaide. 

“There was never any central hub for [Black students] to meet other Black students. I didn't even know Mac really had any Black students. So, coming in and seeing people, connecting with people, having this space, I think it's something that incoming students are really going to benefit from,”

Toluwalase Dayo-Olaide, BSSC Program Support Assistant

Dayo-Olaide explained that the transition into an in-person space for the BSSC has been a catalyst for fostering community among Black students. Dayo-Olaide explained how the barriers of online services make it difficult for students to build trust and become comfortable to openly share experiences.  

“You wouldn't be able to have those long, nice conversations, those spontaneous conversations online … I feel like the in-person space just makes people feel more connected to something tangible. I want to walk in there, sit down and feel like I'm part of a community,” said Dayo-Olaide 

Dayo-Olaide has been with the BSSC since October 2022 and has watched the centre grow and continue to reach more students. Dayo-Olaide explained that one of the most notable points of growth he has noticed is the increased presence of Black men, where the centre had previously mostly seen female students utilize their services.  

Dayo-Olaide explained that the BSSC’s 2022 Empowered program aimed to bring together Black men on campus, including undergraduate students, graduate students, professors and staff, to provide a secure space and to foster open conversations regarding stigma, stereotypes and wellness. 

“There's this stigma or stereotype about Black men and sometimes stereotypes will force you to conform to them. [The Empowered program] was a wellness support for people to be able to come in and be open about themselves, the things they face and get advice from people that are above you … We were creating a safe space for the guys on campus,” said Dayo-Olaide 

 
“There's this stigma or stereotype about Black men and sometimes stereotypes will force you to conform to them. [The Empowered program] was a wellness support for people to be able to come in and be open about themselves, the things they face and get advice from people that are above you … We were creating a safe space for the guys on campus,”

Toluwalase Dayo-Olaide, BSSC Program Support Assistant

The BSSC is located in PGCLL room M07, and they continue to provide virtual and in-person services. More information for accessing these services is available on the BSSC website.  

C/O Black Student Success Centre

Officially open as of September 27, the BSSC offers resources, support and a sense of community to Black students at McMaster 

On Sept. 27, the Black Student Success Centre officially opened at McMaster University with the goal of supporting Black students and fostering their success. 

“Black students across Canadian universities sometimes feel isolated on campuses and are less likely to access student support services. The BSSC exists to connect Black students to the programs, people and resources that will nurture their academic and personal growth,” states the BSSC website

The BSSC currently offers most of its services online, given that its physical space is under construction. However, it will eventually be housed on the main floor of the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning.

C/O Travis Nguyen

Faith Ogunkoya, manager of the BSSC, explained that the centre was created in response to discussions of racism at McMaster that occurred in 2020. Notably, a review of Black student athlete experiences was published last year, which called attention to anti-Black racism at McMaster. In response to this review, a five-point action plan was released with the creation of the BSSC as a part of the university’s plan to have targeted supports for Black students.

Although the review played a crucial role in the development of the BSSC, the centre’s emergence also builds on years of activism and advocacy work done by Black students, faculty, and staff.

Along with the review, Ogunkoya explained that students and alumni became increasingly vocal on social media about the racism they had experienced while at McMaster. These factors together prompted the university to create a safe space for Black students on campus.

Since the BSSC was created in response to students’ needs, Ogunkoya emphasized the centre’s commitment to representing students and meeting their needs. Thus, one of the centre’s main focuses is to provide general advising services to Black students and to connect them to other services on campus that they might need. 

Along with providing individual advising, the BSSC has also partnered with the Student Wellness Centre. The BSSC’s partnership with SWC has allowed them to connect students with Black counsellors and run group sessions that promote good mental health for Black students. 

The first of these sessions, called You Belong in the Room, explores feeling inadequate in the context of racism and belonging. Starting on Oct. 13, the session is projected to run for five weeks every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. 

“[You Belong in the Room] is basically going to be a space where [students] can talk about anything and everything, being open about racism and its impact on them academically, personally or professionally, discussing impostorship and how sometimes, in white-dominated spaces, we almost feel like we shouldn’t be here or that we don’t belong,”

Faith Ogunkoya
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Black Student Success (BSSC) (@macbssc)

Along with providing services and support to Black students, Ogunkoya explained that the BSSC also strives to educate other members of the university. 

“We often feel like we've got two sides to our service, where it's working with Black students and getting them to where they need to be [and to the] services and programs that they need to access, but also that it needs to be culturally informed. So, we will also be providing training, providing some guidance and providing leadership to units and departments so that [McMaster] is an environment that makes Black students know that they belong,” said Ogunkoya.

Overall, Ogunkoya said the goal of the centre is to create a safe space and a strong sense of community for Black students at McMaster.

Ogunkoya noted that many Black students at McMaster are not surrounded by a lot of other Black students in their programs which can lead to feeling a lack of belonging. 

“There’s something that follows you around sometimes when there’s only a few of you,” explained Ogunkoya.

According to Ogunkoya, this is what makes the existence of the BSSC so important. 

“When you see yourself and you see representation, it can empower you; it can make you feel less alone,” said Ogunkoya.

The past few years have been transformative for society and the fight for social justice. Here’s hoping the development of this much-needed service both empowers Black students at McMaster and helps address the injustices faced by the Black community at large. 

C/O Chana/Unsplash

McMaster has more supports in place for Black students than I expected

By: Bianca Perreault, Contributor

Countless people think that being a Black student has always been the same as being a "regular" student. Obviously, many students can relate to being a minority visibly: not looking like everyone else, having different types of hair, skin tones and culture. Especially when coming from a small village or town, that receptivity can be even more dominant. But how is it at McMaster? What does it feel like to be a Black student in 2021 at McMaster University? 

Perhaps before 2021, the experience was different or even the same in its own way, but I believe that McMaster has improved its role in the Black community since last year. The Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 truly impacted the whole world. It was a beautiful and poignant reunion of a community fighting for its rights and Mac did not let these circumstances leave in a mist. As a matter of fact, McMaster put in place many different initiatives in support of our Black student community. As a Haitian student myself, I was more than pleased to discover all the opportunities and programs awaiting me and I can confidently say that I feel welcomed in my own skin.

First and foremost, McMaster’s Student Success Centre was a forum established to direct students towards the resources they may need. Perhaps the most marvelous thing about the organization is that they have specifically created a division for students of Black/African descent: the Black Student Success Centre. It is entirely dedicated to supporting and championing the success and well-being of Black students. Through fostering a positive student and athlete experience, they intend to value us at any level, whether that be academic, professional or personal. As a Black student myself, feeling like you have access to resources as much as any student is of the utmost priority. I believe that this division is a safe space for us to connect with people who feel comfortable nurturing our academic and personal growth at university. BSSC is guided by Unbuntu, an ancient African philosophy which means, "I am because you are.” Connection, community and collective success are emphasized by this word.

BSSC is not the only support we have at McMaster. In fact, the department of communication studies & multimedia and the department of history have created bursaries for up to $2,500 per year for many Black students based on their financial needs. It’s amazing to not only see the impact of these two initiatives on the Black community at McMaster, but also to recognize the true impact of the two programs supporting such bursaries. Through communication arises our ability to share milestones and recognition of one another. Through history, arguably the most critical part of our African-descendant story is shared and valued towards achieving shared, common knowledge. Even the fact that the bursary was put in place is in itself a form of thoughtful acknowledgement. 

Besides BSSC and Black Student Excellence scholarships, McMaster has established postdoctoral fellowships for Black graduates, a coaching program for Black scholars called Thrive, and launched employee resources for staff who identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of colour. While there are some that I haven't even mentioned yet, Mac is committed to amplifying voices that can share our concerns and elevate their attention to an institutional level. Being a Black student at McMaster, I can fully expect to be supported and heard.

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