When former MP Jean Augustine (LLD '11) was elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1993, she brought with her the hopes of her community, the voices of those she advocated for and the aspirations of her ancestors. As the first Black woman elected as a Member of Parliament, she was automatically catapulted to the status of role model for the millions who would come after her.

In 1995, Augustine single-handedly championed the unanimous vote to officially designate February as Black History Month in Canada. 

Now in her 80s, Augustine continues to advocate for the causes that are important to her, including the initiative to fully endow the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora at York University.

One of only two endowed university Chairs in Canada dedicated to research and knowledge mobilization endeavours on Black and African-descended communities, the Jean Augustine chair seeks to:

• Foster an understanding of the diverse cultural and educational needs of students;
• Facilitate leadership on matters of access, equity, inclusivity and social justice;
• Strengthen university-community partnerships and engagement; and,
• Build educational and social capacity among students, junior scholars and community members.

Recent world events have brought to the forefront the need for leaders, communities, businesses and individuals to take action to combat systemic racism and advocate for social justice issues globally. Canada is not immune to the reality of racism and how it can marginalize and disenfranchise those most vulnerable. Education is one of the keys to driving long-lasting, fundamental change in Black and other racialized communities across Canada.

Learn more about the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora and how you can contribute here. To read more about Jean Augustine’s life and work, visit her website.

This is a modified version of the original article published in the February 8, 2021 issue of Yfile.