Arts and Science Celebrating Black Experiences: Arts, Literature and More

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024
Time: 10–11 am (Sask time)
Location: Online via Zoom (link to be sent after registration)

Free and open to the public | Register on Eventbrite

About this event

Black History Month at the University of Saskatchewan honours the legacy and contributions of members of the university’s Black community. It is a time to listen to and learn about the accomplishments and lived experiences of the Black community.

The 2024 theme for Black History Month at USask is "Celebrating Black Experiences: Arts, Literature and More." Together, we will engage our collective power to shape the future by exploring and celebrating the unique contributions of the Black community across all disciplines.

This online discussion panel will feature students and alumni of USask’s College of Arts and Science engaging with this year’s Black History Month theme.

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Banjo Olaleye, Moderator

Banjo Olaleye is the associate director of advising and retention at Conestoga College. He is a black alumnus and student of the College of Arts and Science, having completed his master's degree in English and currently completing his PhD in the same department. He has also worked at the college as a sessional lecturer and staff. Banjo was nominated for the STM Teaching Excellence Award in 2021, and presented with the Dean's Distinguished Staff Award in 2023 for his work as the director of undergraduate student advising at the Undergraduate Student Office of the College of Arts and Science.

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Yvonne Addai, Panelist

Yvonne Addai is a Dora-nominated Ghanaian-Canadian actor/artist, educator and artistic associate of Saskatchewan’s first Latinx theatre, Ay Caramba! She is a graduate from the University of Saskatchewan BFA acting program. She has had the opportunity to work on stages in Saskatchewan and now calls Toronto home.

Teniola Bolaji, Panelist

Teniola Bolaji is a driven second-year business economics student with a passion for leveraging economic principles to drive positive change. Teniola is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within the business world while honoring the legacy of Black entrepreneurs and visionaries.

Rita Idowu, Panelist

Rita Idowu is a bilingual poet, tutor, musician, and vlogger (Morit Music). She is currently pursuing a PhD in applied linguistics at the University of Saskatchewan. She equally finds fulfilment in the well-being of others, hence her drive towards consistent volunteering in humanitarian, cultural, religious, and empowerment programs within the Indigenous and Black communities.

James Yékú, Panelist

James Yeku, professor of African and African American Studies at the University of Kansas, is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Humboldt University of Berlin. He is the author of the collection of poems Where The Baedeker Leads. James received his PhD in English from the University of Saskatchewan.

For a full list of Black History Month events, initiatives, learning resources and supports available to the campus community, visit https://spotlight.usask.ca/black-history-month/black-history-month.php

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