Every year, as part of our Black Futures initiative, the OTSU awards two Black-identifying students with its Black Excellence in Leadership (BEL) Award. This year, we received a record number of applicants who all deserve recognition, so first and foremost, thank you to everyone who applied—you’re all role models in our eyes!

Today we are thrilled to announce that this year’s winners are Faith Farayibi and Funmi Ogunseye! Please join us in congratulating these exceptional students whose passion for leadership serves as a beacon for all students to persevere in the face of adversity.

As students, we occupy a pivotal space in society, one which can shape the conversations that have a material impact on forging a more inclusive future. The BEL Award was designed to recognize Black-identifying or Black multi-racial students whose exemplary leadership is an expression of how we can dismantle barriers and occupy spaces not traditionally occupied by individuals of colour.

Students were asked to apply for the award by outlining their experience with the intersectionality of student leadership and Black representation. We caught up with Faith and Funmi to ask them what winning this award means to them, and how perseverance is requisite in reshaping existing social constructs.

Faith: When I found out I won the Black Excellence in Leadership Award, I was in complete shock! It was such an unexpected honour, and I felt incredibly humbled and grateful. Being recognized for my contributions, especially in such a diverse and vibrant community at Ontario Tech, reaffirmed the work I’ve put in over the years. It made me reflect on the incredible support I’ve received from my peers, mentors, and the broader campus community. It was a very validating moment that truly inspired me to keep pushing myself and striving for more.

Faith: What drives me to continue pursuing new opportunities is the impact I can make, whether it's supporting my peers, creating inclusive spaces, or advocating for marginalized voices. These roles allow me to grow personally and professionally while helping others find their place on campus. For students of Colour, these kinds of experiences are incredibly empowering. They provide opportunities for leadership, visibility, and mentorship, which can be transformative. When students see others who look like them in positions of leadership, it breaks down barriers and builds confidence, letting them know that they too can aspire to similar roles. It's all about representation and creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Faith: Moving to Canada and seeing less Black representation has definitely shaped my university experience. It was initially challenging to navigate spaces where I wasn’t always able to see myself reflected. However, rather than discouraging me, it fueled my determination to get involved and create spaces where students of Colour feel celebrated and supported. My involvement in co-curricular activities, from being a peer mentor to taking on executive roles, has given me the platform to connect with others and advocate for more diverse representation in leadership.This drive for representation has not only shaped my involvement on campus but has also influenced my future career path. I am now focused on pursuing a career in healthcare, where I aim to contribute to better representation and equity within the field. I hope to advocate for my for diversity, ensuring that people of Colour are not only represented but also have equal access to resources, opportunities, and care.

Funmi: I was pleasantly surprised and deeply grateful. Having been at Ontario Tech for almost four years, I have grown to be more than just a student, I am a part of the community. Being recognized by my own people truly means a lot and warms my heart.

Funmi: I have been privileged to work with Student Mental Health Services since 2022, and this role has truly shaped me. As a Mental Health Peer Mentor, I have had the opportunity to support students one-on-one, and it has been a mutually beneficial process. It has been a role that has energized me; it has shown me the importance of community care and what it means to hold space for others.

Black representation on campus is critical, because we have Black students on campus. This visibility breaks down barriers and cultivates a sense of ease and belonging. One instance that specifically comes to mind is a student who requested support from me because they felt I would better understand their experience. That moment reinforced why representation matters, not just symbolically, but in very real, human ways. It’s not just about being present, it’s about being seen and understood.

Funmi: Coming from Nigeria, to Canada in 2021, I had already learned much about the Black collective experience in the West through books and media. But even with that knowledge, I was unsure and, honestly, worried about how my own experience would unfold as a Black person in Canada. That fear became more palpable when I began to experience microaggressions firsthand.

I remember one of my professors, Dr. Tanya Karam-Zanders, encouraged and afforded me an opportunity to attend the Psychology of Black Women Virtual Conference in 2021, which was hosted in the United States. One thing that deeply resonated with me was the concept of Black joy as a form of resistance. While I will always recognize that the experiences of Black people in Canada and the United States hold very different meanings, that idea stayed with me.

There are different layers to my identity, having lived all my life as a Nigerian and broadly African, and now navigating what it means to be Black in a Western context. There are many points of connection, but also significant differences. In many spaces, those nuances are erased; you are perceived as Black. Black joy becomes a radical and intentional act, the choice to feel, celebrate, thrive, and hope, even in adversity. I deeply respect all the identities I have come to hold and keep opening up space to learn more about them.

When I began searching for mentors, I quickly realized that there weren’t many Black professors in my field. Still, I reached out to my current supervisor, and he’s been incredibly supportive and amazing. That experience reminded me that mentorship can come from unexpected places and encouraged me to become what I didn’t see. After completing my doctorate, I hope to be that representation for others. I always encourage students not to give up on their dreams, even if they feel unsure about potential mentors. If you are searching for a supervisor or mentor, talk to people who have worked with them. I have found those conversations to be incredibly helpful.