Nipissing signs historic Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion

North Bay, ON - Today, Nipissing University joined over 40 post-secondary institutions from across Canada in signing the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion, the first national action plan to tackle anti-Black racism in Canadian higher education as a sector-wide response to the Black Lives Matter movement.  

Signatories of the Scarborough Charter are following through on the promises made by universities and colleges in the summer of 2020 and by partner institutions at the October 2020 National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities, to move from rhetoric to meaningful concrete action to address anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion. 

“Signing the Scarborough Charter not only represents Nipissing’s commitment to the elimination of anti-Black racism, but also holds us accountable for taking meaningful action. As a values-based institution, we must work to build more equitable systems and provide an environment that promotes Black inclusion both on our campus and in our community,” said Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President & Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University.

“It is critical for equity, diversity and inclusion to be part of our university culture and the Charter provides a clear framework for identifying and addressing key barriers that have historically stood in the way of social justice,” he added.

An official launch and virtual signing of the Charter was held online earlier today, hosted by the University of Toronto Scarborough. A recording of the event can be found here. 

A copy of the Charter can be viewed in its entirety here.

To hear more about why institutions are signing the charter, click here.

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Contact:

Meghan Venasse
Manager, Communications
Nipissing University
705-474-3450 ext. 4615
meghanv@nipissingu.ca