Building positive relationships between the AMS and Black students at Queen’s is a priority for Ruth Osunde, AMS Vice-President (University Affairs).
On May 9 and 10, Osunde attended the Scarborough Charter Inter-Institutional Forum, where professors across Canada came together to speak about bridging the gaps in Black communities. The forum was organized around the ethos of the Scarborough Charter, signed by Queen’s in 2021 to address anti-Black racism.
READ MORE: Scarborough Charter Aims to Address Queens Colonial Past
During the two-day forum, Osunde heard stories of Black academic success and made connections with the other attendees. The forum reinforced her desire to advocate for the needs of Black students during her tenure.
“I was in a room full of successful Black people, and that’s something we don’t get to see so often,” Osunde said in an interview with The Journal.
In the past, Black students at Queen’s have felt their concerns weren’t adequately addressed by the AMS, Osunde explained.
“As a Black student, we’ve had moments when I think we’ve felt as though the University and the AMS at times have not ed the wellbeing of Black students,” Osunde said.
READ MORE: Black student associations respond to racist incident at AMS debate
Having served as the AMS Social Issues Commissioner (Internal) last year, Osunde experienced first-hand the importance of social justice work and implementing the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility (EDIAA) at the university level. She plans to continue this work throughout her term.
READ MORE: Social Issues Commissioners celebrate lifelong friendship and equity initiatives
“With my new role this year, our [the AMS’s] biggest thing is making sure we’re listening to students,” Osunde said. “One of the biggest tasks with these roles [at the AMS] is making sure we aren’t taking up space. Rather, we are creating it.”
To help create a community among Black students at Queen’s, Osunde wants to community-building events, such as the ‘Welcome Back Barbecue’ hosted by the Queen’s Black Academic Society (QBAS).
QBAS received the AMS Black History Month grant last year. The grant provides tangible with matched funding from the University for Black student groups, programming, and events.
“We want Black students on Queen’s campus to flourish,” Osunde said.
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