Several universities and colleges in Canada signed on to the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education in November 2021.
In so doing, universities and colleges committed to promoting Black flourishing in their classrooms and campuses.
In the context of these urgent aims, it's important to acknowledge the importance of Black-affirming community spaces and understand the role they play in Black student well-being and academic success.
Black-affirming academic community spaces are designed specifically for Black students and have an explicit focus on academic success. These spaces also provide opportunities for psycho-social skill development and opportunities for exploring racial counter-narratives.
As such, Black-affirming community spaces offer Black students a physical space to develop positive Black identities, which are vital for academic success.