The Past in Focus—Future in Motion event reinforced King’s ongoing commitment to working in community to challenge anti-Black racism, acknowledge historical oppression and advance inclusion
On June 2, Past in Focus—Future in Motion was hosted at the Black Cultural Centre (BCC), in partnership with King’s. It brought together members of the King’s faculty and staff, community members and African Nova Scotian community organizations including The PREP Academy, the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI) and the BCC to reflect on and recognize the milestones and ongoing commitment King’s has made in challenging anti-Black racism and advancing Black inclusion.
Attendees took their seats in the BCC, surrounded by the history and legacies of influential African Nova Scotians reflected in the banners hanging from the ceiling and the historical exhibits in the space. Events like this strengthen existing partnerships while also creating opportunities for new collaborations and lasting connections—and this one had a packed agenda, including a long-awaited response from King’s regarding the findings of the 2018 scholarly inquiry into King’s historical connections to slavery, a public signing of the North Star Statement and a panel discussion with a rousing call for continued action.
The event opened with welcoming remarks and land acknowledgments from Russell Grosse, the CEO of the BCC and a moving rendition of the Black national anthem, Lift Every Voice. Grosse mentioned the importance of not just addressing the past and examining the history but also building a better future: “It’s about creating institutions that are more welcoming, more representative and more responsive to the communities that they serve,” said Grosse. He praised the efforts King’s has made under the leadership of President Bill Lahey.
Acknowledging our history: King’s offers apology to African Nova Scotian and Black communities
In his remarks, President Lahey reflected on the progress King’s has made through partnerships with organizations including the DBDLI, the PREP Academy and the BCC, thanking them for their grace and willingness to work with the university.
He spoke about working together on the 2018 scholarly inquiry into King’s historical connections to slavery and anti-Black racism. Published in 2020, the inquiry examined the university’s direct and indirect ties to slavery and its relationship to Nova Scotia. After publishing the findings, King’s had planned to publicly issue an apology in March 2020, but those plans were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Lahey delivered the long-awaited apology at the BCC event, stating:
“As President of the University of King’s College, I acknowledge with humility King’s connections to slavery, anti-Black racism and racial inequity. I recognize that King’s has benefited from the enslavement of Black people and contributed to systems that dehumanized Black people and excluded African Nova Scotian and Black communities from full participation and belonging in higher education. For this, we are deeply sorry.”
Celebrating the future: Welcoming the inaugural African Nova Scotian Journalism Initiative
Karen Mutyabule, King’s Director of Equity and Community Supports, also shared remarks highlighting the university’s ongoing equity, diversity and inclusion work. Mutyabule reflected on the progress made and emphasized King’s commitment to intentional recruitment and outreach for African Nova Scotian and Black students, as well as the importance of creating pathways for students to access higher education. She shared details about the African Nova Scotian Journalism Initiative (ANSJI), launched in 2025, that will welcome its first cohort of students in September.
Through the program, selected African Nova Scotian journalism students attend King’s tuition-free. “This initiative was created with the belief that African Nova Scotian voices, stories and perspectives belong in journalism, media and public storytelling,” she said.
The four students selected to be a part of the inaugural ANSJI, were present at the event, and celebrated with a round of applause by the audience, including some very proud parents.
Reinforcing our commitments: Signing the North Star Statement
The evening also included the signing of the North Star Statement, created at the recommendation of Ashley Hill, Founder and Executive Director of the PREP Academy and developed by King’s to provide direction for our work in partnership moving forward. It was signed by President Lahey, Ashley Hill, Russell Grosse and Sylvia Parris of the DBDLI.
At the event, Hill reflected on the development of the North Star Statement and its focus on supporting African Nova Scotian and Black students.
She echoed the themes of the importance of collaboration between universities and community organizations in supporting the success of African Nova Scotian and Black students. “Students deserve more than a seat in a classroom,” she said. “[Students] deserve to see themselves reflected in their institution. They deserve spaces where they can thrive academically, socially and personally.”
She also praised King’s willingness to listen to student perspectives, emphasizing that meaningful change begins with listening but must be followed by action.
Sylvia Parris, CEO of DBDLI, also spoke, sharing reflections on the value of the King’s-DBDLI partnership and the role collaboration plays in creating lasting educational and systemic change.
Parris opened her remarks with a proverb: “Wisdom is like a baobab tree. No one individual can embrace it.” Using the proverb as a foundation for her message, she reflected on the importance of collaboration and collective effort, emphasizing that meaningful growth requires many voices, perspectives and sources of knowledge working together.
Continuing the conversation: Panel discussion moderated by Sherri Borden Colley
The evening also included a panel discussion, featuring Inglis Professor Dr. Sylvia D. Hamilton, Ian Wagschal, Director of Facilities Management and me in my roles as Nova Scotian filmmaker and writer and King’s First Black Student ambassador. The panel was moderated by journalist Sherri Borden Colley, BJ(Hons)’97, DCL’24.
During the panel, speakers reflected on the importance of relationship-building, trust and meaningful community engagement in creating lasting change. The panelists highlighted the importance of remaining open to change while learning from the past.
The panel concluded with a call for continued action through policy, community consultation and student engagement. Participants expressed hope that future generations of African Nova Scotian and Black students will have a university experience where their perspectives are valued, their contributions are recognized and their success is actively supported.
Mervyn Broome, Chair of the BCC, delivered the closing remarks. Reflecting on his relationship with President Lahey, Broome spoke about Lahey’s commitment to community partnership, equity and meaningful change at King’s. “True leadership is about listening. It is about being willing to confront difficult truths. It is about creating space for honest dialogue,” he said.
On a personal level, this event gave me hope for future Black students. I hope that one day every student can attend an institution that reflects them, supports them and genuinely values their experiences and contributions. The event also reignited the passion that inspires much of the work I do. While it was encouraging to hear about the progress that has been made, it was also a reminder that there is still much more work to be done. I look forward to being a part of that change and helping create a future where all students feel a true sense of belonging.
The past is still in focus, being acknowledged, examined and understood. But the future is also in motion, propelled by those who believe in a brighter, more equitable and inclusive future at King’s.
