Best of CASE District I Award
 

Institution: Concordia University

Title of entry: Black student handbook

About this entry: What we did: Concordia University created a handbook to promote NouLa Black Student Centre, which opened in 2023, as a welcoming, culturally safe, inclusive and community-minded space for new and current Black students.

Why we did it: With the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Concordia committed to the work of addressing race-related issues among its members and in its institutional fabric. The university shared an historic official apology for its mishandling of race-based student complaints and the outcomes of a 1969 student protest. It also set out to implement the recommendations of task force to address systemic anti-Black racism across University life.

A key component of those efforts: the creation of a Black student centre. After research, consultation and suggestions from students, the name “NouLa” was selected. Nou la, in Creole language, means "we're here." The Black student handbook established the centre’s visual identity and helped create a candid, fun, personal, intimate look and feel that portrays Noula as a welcoming space that celebrates Black student life.

The results/impact: The handbook has been key in showcases the support, resources, services and programming available throughout students’ entire academic journey at Concordia. Thanks to stunning photos and design, it communicates and celebrates the nature of the community on campus. The main call to action is to register with the centre. Registration has been very robust and events have been packed.