March 21, 2022
Congratulations to Dr. Handel Kashope Wright, an invited member of the national Inter-institutional Steering Committee on Inclusive Higher Education (Inter-institutional Steering Committee) of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education: Principles, Actions and Accountability (Scarborough Charter).
Dr. Wright is a professor in the Faculty of Education and Director of the Centre for Culture, Identity and Education. He also serves as Senior Advisor to the President on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Wright has published extensively on continental African cultural studies, cultural studies of education, critical multiculturalism, anti-racist education, qualitative research and post-reconceptualization curriculum theorizing. He is co-editor of the book series African and Diasporic Cultural Studies (University of Toronto Press), associate editor of Critical Arts and serves on the editorial board of several cultural studies and education journals. Learn more about Dr. Wright’s work by reading his biography.
The Scarborough Charter was conceptualized in 2020, when representatives from higher education institutions held open discussions on how to meaningfully address Black inclusion and anti-Black racism. The Scarborough Charter was virtually signed on November 18, 2021 by 46 postsecondary institutions across the country, including UBC, and six more institutions have signed the Charter since that date. Signatories agree to promote ongoing collaboration, mutual learning, sustained commitment, and sharing of resources to redress anti-Black racism and promote Black inclusion.
Amongst several undertakings, the Inter-institutional Steering Committee will encourage the development of communities of practice, foster implementation and accountability by member institutions of the Scarborough Charter, and interface with relevant governments, institutions, organizations, communities and others to secure implementation of the Scarborough Charter and encourage collaboration with a range of Black community organizations, as well as other key stakeholders.
To learn more, read the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education and view an up-to-date list of the signatories.
