ICYMI: Distinguished Immigrants Panel for Black History Month

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Panelists shared the value of perseverance, community and mentorship in their experiences.

There’s unity in community and yesterday, some key members of the Black community in Calgary came out to support the Black Empowerment and Excellence at SAIT (BEES) committee and their activities for Black History Month. The Distinguished Immigrants Panel was an opportunity for SAIT students and employees to learn from the panelists’ stories and experiences as successful Black immigrants. 

Three speakers participated in the panel to share their experiences: Dr. Caesar Apentiik, Developmental Studies Professor, University of Calgary; Chi Iliya-Ndule, Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP, Co-Founder and President, Calgary Black Chambers; and Shauna Porter, Anti-Racism Committee Chair, Calgary Police Service.

Chimdi Ilonze, Business Administration Student, Chi Iliya-Ndule, Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP, Co-Founder and President, Calgary Black Chambers, Dr. Caesar Apentiik, Developmental Studies Professor, University of Calgary, Shauna Porter, Anti-Racism Committee Chair, Calgary Police Service, Dr. Rekiyat Siyaka, Educational Developer, SAIT, participate in the panel discussion.
(Left to right) Chimdi Ilonze, Business Administration Student, Chi Iliya-Ndule, Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP, Co-Founder and President, Calgary Black Chambers, Dr. Caesar Apentiik, Developmental Studies Professor, University of Calgary, Shauna Porter, Anti-Racism Committee Chair, Calgary Police Service, Dr. Rekiyat Siyaka, Educational Developer, SAIT.

 “Listening to the speakers share their challenging but successful transitions into the Canadian workforce, a few universal themes and values resonated: perseverance, community and mentorship,” says Rekiyat Siyaka (she/her), Educational Developer and faculty at SAIT, and the moderator for the panel. “It was clear to me that finding one's community (whatever that means to each person) is key to weathering the transition to the Canadian workplace. It emerged that Black employees and students had noticed the growing presence and visibility of Black people at SAIT. This leads to an increased sense of belonging and community, affirms our voices matter and shows the SAIT community cares about our experiences, journeys and growth.”

Lisa Marielle Cooper (she/her), SAIT Software Development student, attended the panel and captured some key moments to share here today.

On perseverance

Shauna Porter, Anti-Racism Committee Chair, Calgary Police Service, talked about the necessity of perseverance, both for individuals and as a community.

Shauna Porter
Anti-Racism Committee Chair, Calgary Police Service

On community

Dr. Caesar Apentiik, Developmental Studies Professor, University of Calgary, highlighted the value of being an active part of your industry and community, in his case, academia, to guide your development and establish yourself.

Dr. Caesar Apentiik
Developmental Studies Professor, University of Calgary

On mentorship

Chi Iliya-Ndule, Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP, Co-Founder and President, Calgary Black Chambers, emphasized the value of mentorship as she got back to her career as a lawyer after she moved to Canada from Nigeria.

Chi Iliya-Ndule
Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP, Co-Founder and President, Calgary Black Chambers

✨ Connect with the SAIT community

Learn more about allyship at SAIT and Black empowerment with BEES this February for Black History Month.

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Learn more about SAIT’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, including recent accomplishments and what we’re working on.

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a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.