It was a stark contrast to her previous educational experiences, where she was often the only Black student in the room. "It's been lonely, and I'm sure a lot of other Black kids feel this way," says the Ontario-born student, who is pursuing a psychology major with a minor in BAFD. She quickly felt a sense of belonging within BAFD, a program that explores the history and contributions of Black people in Canada and the diaspora. Ensuring students like Maxwell-Crawford feel seen is precisely why BAFD was created.
A call for change
BAFD is a pioneering degree program and one of the first of its kind in Canada. In 2016, Dalhousie unveiled the country's first Black Studies minor, and in fall 2023, it launched a major program. This milestone was achieved through years of work by a committed team of Dal faculty and staff. Among them was Dr. Afua Cooper, a scholar, professor and author who identified a gap in the university's academic offerings that was having a troubling impact.
The idea came to Dr. Cooper when she was the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies, a position named after the first African Nova Scotian to graduate from Dalhousie in 1896.
"I think I took the name of my chair literally," Dr. Cooper says with a smile, remembering the moment she realized, "I do Black Canadian Studies. I'm a historian. My PhD is in history. So, I do Black studies, but there is no Black Studies at the university."
At the same time, racial tensions had begun to escalate on campus. Black students were experiencing racism in classrooms, and Black faculty had concerns about their tenure. In some well-documented cases, racist graffiti was reported in various locations including the Killam Library and the Student Union Building and was addressed by the university.
In response to these incidents, Dr. Cooper was commissioned to research and write a report on Dalhousie's history regarding race and to propose solutions to the problems at hand. The report explored the school's legacy, including the controversial Lord Dalhousie, who had a history of making anti-Black statements and policies. The Lord Dalhousie Report, released in 2019, would include several recommendations for creating a more welcoming environment for Black students and faculty, such as the establishment of a Black Studies Research Institute, which opened in 2021, and the creation of a Black Studies bachelor's program.
Dr. Afua Cooper speaks at an event for the release of the Lord Dalhousie Report in 2019. (Nick Pearce photo)
Already at work on exploring potential solutions, Dr. Cooper was aware of the role of education in shaping perceptions of racial and ethnic groups. Her lifelong commitment has been to address the erasure of 400 years of Black history in Canada. "Black people have played a huge role in developing this place that we call Canada," she says. "Whether they were Black Loyalists, Black refugees of the War of 1812, Underground Railroad communities, or enslaved people the geographic scope of Black history is very impressive."
Transformative solutions
Drawing on her experience in course design, Dr. Cooper had been laying the groundwork for a Black Studies minor. She spent many late nights working in the Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building, in one case catching the eye of a security guard on patrol. The guard informed a surprised Dr. Cooper that it was 2 a.m. and ensured that she made it safely to her car.
This tireless commitment did not go unnoticed. Dr. Cooper has received the Nova Scotia Human Rights Award for Education, the Dalhousie President's Award for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness, and the FASS Award for Service Excellence.
By 2016, her hard work paid off, and the BAFD minor made its official debut. Dr. Cooper has since moved on to a role at the University of Toronto, but her efforts paved the way for what the program would become.
A collaborative vision
Dr. Cooper's work set the stage, but the vision for Black Studies at Dal didn't end there. By 2019, a broader team was in the early stages of developing a major program. This team included BAFD coordinator Dr. Isaac Saney, associate professors Dr. Asha Jeffers and Dr. Chike Jeffers, and Dr. Theresa Rajack-Talley, Dalhousie's first vice-provost for equity and inclusion.
In May 2020, their timeline was accelerated by the shocking murder of George Floyd and the resulting global outcry. The university responded in June 2020, directing more resources to the BAFD team. "It was an involved process," says Dr. Saney, "but there was a tremendous amount of support, both formal and informal, that was provided to us."
Dr. Saney is known for his vast knowledge of Black history in Canada and the diaspora and is no stranger to leadership at Dalhousie. After two decades teaching in the Transition Year Program (TYP), Saney became TYP coordinator in 2014. He was recognized for his contributions to the university with a Legacy Award in 2020.
Dr. Isaac Saney speaks at an event on campus. (Danny Abriel photo)
In 2022, Saney stepped in to lead the continued development of the BAFD major. He stresses the importance of collaboration in moving this program from vision to reality. "It's sort of in the tradition of projects in the Black community," he says. "They're always a product of collective effort."
The BAFD major officially launched in September 2023, offering courses like Introduction to Black and African Diaspora Studies, Introduction to African Canadian Studies, and The Idea of Race in Philosophy, Literature, and Art.
The curriculum is rooted in a commitment to inclusive education, ensuring that Black histories and contributions are no longer relegated to the margins.
Launching a major
The program's launch has been celebrated across the university, with Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Dr. Jennifer Andrews calling it a "groundbreaking moment."
"I am thrilled to see the launch of the Black and African Diaspora Studies major at Dalhousie come to fruition after a great deal of hard work by a terrific team of folks within the faculty and throughout the university," she says.
"The BAFD major does critical work by foregrounding and celebrating the historical and contemporary importance of African Nova Scotians and Black Canadians," Dr. Andrews continues, "while building an understanding of the broader global Black world."
The BAFD major does critical work by foregrounding and celebrating the historical and contemporary importance of African Nova Scotians and Black Canadian
Even as the university celebrates BAFD, the major remains new and has room for growth. Unlike direct-entry programs, FASS students typically declare their majors after the first year, resulting in gradual increases in enrollment. This allows the program to develop in line with student interests and needs.
The recently launched Introduction to Black and African Diaspora Studies course has already attracted 31 students, reflecting growing interest. The program is poised for more expansion in the coming years.
Innovation in teaching
The faculty of BAFD is also in a growth phase, with Dr. Chevy Eugene at the forefront, designing and teaching courses that challenge and inspire his students.
Dr. Eugene is a rising scholar who serves as the Caribbean Ambassador for the Pan-African Council. He also represents the International Coalition for People of African Descent. In 2022, Eugene was listed among the UN's Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40.
Dr. Eugene wants students to engage deeply with issues of race, identity, and social justice. "I articulate the entire course to interrogate the modern state," he says, "and the anti-Black systemic racism that is grounded and rooted in Canadian society, American society, and societies in the West."
Dr. Chevy Eugene. (Submitted photo)
Originally from St. Lucia, Dr. Eugene joined Dalhousie as part of a cluster hire of Black faculty. He teaches courses such as Introduction to Black and African Diaspora Studies, The Politics of Reparations, and Black Radical Thought, and is designing future program offerings.
Dr. Eugene's teaching style is collaborative and inclusive. "In my third-year courses," he says, "we have grounding sessions where students become teachers and share their lived experiences." He says this approach facilitates the exchange of knowledge and captures stories from underrepresented communities.
Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for a well-rounded exploration of Black experiences. "It's not just about struggles," he says, "but also about resistance and celebrating life."
As he states, "We look at how Black people live, survive, and thrive in the diaspora," positioning BAFD as a critical but welcoming space for these important discussions.
An interdisciplinary approach
While Queen's University launched Canada's first Black Studies major back in 2020, Dr. Saney believes that BAFD offers a more comprehensive curriculum. "Our major is perhaps the most developed one in terms of depth and detail," he says.
Indeed, BAFD's interdisciplinary approach can be spotted from a distance. Several courses are cross-listed with other departments, such as Sociology and Social Anthropology, Canadian Studies, and History.
For example, The Atlantic World, 1650-1800: European Empires in the Americas, is cross-listed with History, while The Idea of Race in Philosophy, Literature, and Art falls under Contemporary Studies.
"It's an academically rigorous program that explores the richness of Black experiences in a multifaceted way," Dr. Saney says. "This is about providing a comprehensive education that prepares students for various career paths and critical roles in society."
It's an academically rigorous program that explores the richness of Black experiences in a multifaceted way
Dr. Afua Cooper echoes this sentiment.
"We now know that degrees such as a Black Studies program, grounded in the humanities and social sciences, prepare students for over 700 careers or jobs," she says. "We are in a multicultural society. The world demands that we prepare students with as vast an understanding of this as possible."
Dr. Eugene, who is cross-appointed to Political Science, highlights the program's broad applications. "I always encourage students to consider it as a double major, even those studying social work," he says. "Even if you are in sciences, STEM, etc., engage with Black Studies because that will help inform your work and how you engage with those societies and institutions."
Dr. Eugene believes that having a Black Studies framework puts people of all backgrounds in a strong position to create a niche for themselves in their fields.
"The Black Studies program creates this I'll call it a gaze," he says. "It gives you a framework to view and understand the world."
"View, understand, and critique. And also, think of solutions."
Student insights
Thinking of solutions is exactly how Aaliyah Maxwell-Crawford hopes to use her Black Studies minor and her psychology major. Her goal is clear: "My aim is to help Black children's mental health," she says. "They're not looked at statistically. It's very discouraging to see the gaps not only within psychology but also education. The Black kids are getting left behind."
So far, Maxwell-Crawford has taken African Canadian Studies, Slavery and Slaving, and Black Radical Thought. These courses cover prominent civil rights leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. while diving deeper into the nuances of Black history. "We learned about the riots in Halifax in the 90s," she says. "We learned about Pan-Africanism and just reclaiming our roots as Black Canadians. As Black people in general."
Maxwell-Crawford is confident that her combined areas of study can help make a difference, adding that "It's crucial to use both of these tools to understand the generational effects of mental health issues in the Black community."
The road ahead
The BAFD team hopes to expand its reach beyond Dalhousie. Dr. Saney held a webinar in November marking the 140th anniversary of the Berlin Conference which divided Africa among European powers featuring prominent scholar London's Dr. Hakim Adi. Dr. Eugene envisions a summer institute in Brazil, where students can engage with the largest Black population outside of Africa.
Though the full scope of BAFD and its impact on campus culture remain to be seen, one thing is certain: at Dalhousie, Black contributions have a prominent place in history. After all, as Dr. Cooper notes, "From Newfoundland to the other coast, you're going to find a Black presence. You're going to find Black people contributing, and you want to put that front and centre in terms of the curriculum."
For students like Maxwell-Crawford, however, the program's significance is already clear.
"It's a beautiful program," she says, "and I'm happy to be a part of it."
