This award honours Dr. Carrie Best, the second Black publisher in Nova Scotia as well as an accomplished writer and human rights activist.
Dr. Carrie M. Best was a Nova Scotian journalist, author and broadcaster. Born and raised in New Glasgow, she became a tireless advocate for human rights in Nova Scotia and throughout Canada. In 1947 she founded The Clarion, the second Black newspaper in Nova Scotia, which she edited and distributed throughout the Maritimes. She wrote a weekly column for the Pictou Advocate and hosted her own radio program. Dr. Best challenged Nova Scotia’s official and unofficial segregation laws, helped to establish the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, among other organizations, and never failed to raise her voice whenever she saw injustice. She received many awards including the Order of Canada, and an honorary Doctor of Civil Law from the University of King’s College in 1992. King’s offers two annual entrance scholarships in her name. In 2011 Canada Post honoured Best with a commemorative stamp.
“From what I know of Best’s legacy, she strikes me as an incredible educator through her advocacy. She seemed very dedicated to listening to people’s experiences and giving people a platform to share those, as well as using her own voice. I hope throughout my time at King’s I can follow her example to listen and learn from the people around me, as well as share my own limited experiences and advocate where I can for Indigenous, among other, communities.” – Catherine St-Jean, 2021 recipient
Indigenous students in Canada and Black Canadian students applying to enter the BJH, BA, BSc, or BMus programs at King’s are eligible to apply for this award, valued at $20,000 ($5,000 a year and renewable for up to three years).
“I write fiction, poems and screenplays, and my dream is to sustain myself on writing alone. I researched King’s, and it was the only university I applied to.” – Simone Reade, 2019 recipient
Consult the information about how to apply for major scholarships. Submit the application form including two references and your original essay on the topic provided with your King’s admissions application by March 1.