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Sankofa and UBC: A Panel Discussion

February 6 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

In honour of Black History Month, the College of Graduate Studies is hosting a panel discussion on this year’s Black History Month theme: Sankofa (Sahn-koh-fah). Sankofa is a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana that loosely translates to “go back and get it”, meaning it is not taboo to go back for what you forgot (or left behind).

San – to return

Ko – to go

Fa – to fetch to seek and take

Sankofa is a phrase that encourages learning from the past to inform the future, reaching back to move forward, and lifting as we climb.

Our panellists will reflect on Sankofa and how we can continue to move forward at UBC.


Meet our panellists

Dr. Ainsley Carry joined UBC in  2019 as the Vice President, Students. Ainsley has responsibility for a portfolio that includes Student Health and Wellness, Center for Student Involvement and Careers, Center for Community Engaged Learning, Student Housing and Community Services, and Athletics and Recreation. He also oversees strategic priorities such as the University’s Wellbeing Framework, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office, and Anti-Racism initiatives. Ainsley is most proud of his work to enhance the student experience. Ainsley’s mission at UBC is to interact with students daily and build academic partnerships outside the classroom.

Rohene Bouajram is the Associate Director of Strategic IBPOC Initiatives at UBC, where she provides strategic leadership and direction on embedding equity and inclusion and advancing anti-racism in policies, initiatives, and programming for students. Bridging her Zimbabwean-Canadian identity, Rohene champions dignity, respect, and trust, encouraging individuals to defy societal odds and rewrite narratives in systems not built for all. Passionate about breaking generational cycles and cultural biases, Rohene aims to redefine leadership by motivating future leaders to create meaningful change. With academic pursuits in China, Finland and Canada and a career spanning over two decades in higher education, Rohene has led initiatives in strategic program development, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), systemic change, and leadership. She shares her expertise on global stages, national advisory committees, her national column, The Many Faces, and her podcast, Unspeakable Leadership. When Rohene is not advocating for transformation, she enjoys travelling, running, reading, and cherishing her role as a mother.

Connect with Rohene here:

Stephanie Awotwi-Pratt has been a part of the UBC community for many years, completing undergraduate degrees in English, Gender and Women’s Studies, and Microbiology and participating in the ARIE Task Force. Most recently, Stephanie completed the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program in the Power, Conflict, and Ideas theme at UBC Okanagan. Stephanie’s SSHRC-funded research focused on how Black Canadian women navigate reproductive healthcare and racism in Obstetrics and Gynecology across Canada. Stephanie also won several other awards during her graduate program, including the prestigious Finch Family Graduate Award for her community engagement efforts. Stephanie now continues her journey at UBC as the Black Initiatives Coordinator for the Southern Medical Program.

Ike Ibebugwu is a Project Manager in the Equity and Inclusion Office at UBC, where he supports initiatives promoting anti-racism, fairness, and inclusion within the university community. With years of experience in project and change management, as well as business development, Ike is also the co-founder of Jobnest, an innovative tech startup transforming hiring through AI-powered tools. Passionate about creating equitable systems and fostering collaboration, Ike is committed to driving meaningful change and empowering individuals to thrive.

Trophy Ewila is best understood through his interest in finding the ‘name of Africa given by its Indigenous inhabitants before Colonialism’. He is a graduate of UBCO, a member of the founding executive committee of the UBCO African Caribbean Student Club and first International student president of UBCSUO. He is also a founding member of the Africa Ubuntu Association Okanagan as well as a founding member of Kinfolk Nation – an artist collective, story and production house.

The panel will be hosted by Damien Bell from the College of Graduate Studies. Damien Bell is the Business Analyst and Training Lead in the College of Graduate Studies.  Damien has worked in the College since 2018 and was awarded the Advancing Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Award for taking a leadership role in advancing equity, diversity and inclusive excellence practices within the College and the broader UBC community. Damien is committed to continuous learning and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Education program at UBCO. Damien’s research focuses on understanding the challenges preventing Black students from enrolling in and flourishing in graduate programs.

Register now

Details

Date:
February 6
Time:
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Additional Info

Registration/RSVP Required
Yes (see event description)
Event Type
Talk/Lecture
Topic
Culture and Diversity, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Personal and Professional Development, Research and Innovation, Student Learning
Audiences
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Families, Partners and Industry, Students, Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates