BLMF, UNB & STU LAUNCH BLACK HISTORY RESOURCE WEBSITE FOR TEACHERS IN NB
DATE: FEBRUARY 1st, 2020.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Fredericton, NB ─ Black Lives Matter Fredericton, the University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Education, and St. Thomas University have launched a resource website to equip teachers in New Brunswick with tools to incorporate New Brunswick Black Histories within their classrooms. The website--https://BLMFnbED.org--features lesson plans, power points, films, readings and videos in one convenient place, easily accessible to teachers.
“We are excited to launch this website for teachers in New Brunswick to begin the process of diversifying the curriculum to include Black voices and experiences,” said Alicia Noreiga-Mundaroy, Project Lead for BLMF. “ We hope the website will be useful to teachers and act as a first step to ensuring the education provided to students in New Brunswick is more representative of the population,” she concluded.
There is currently limited content related to Black History in the New Brunswick public school curricula. The lack of representation and historical information about the Black people who have lived here over the centuries contributes to the marginalization of current Black communities.
“We need to teach the real history of New Brunswick, including the fact that slavery and segregation were alive here for centuries and the resistance and grit of the Black population,” said Husoni Raymond, an organizer with BLMF. “ New Brunswick is seen as a white space; the contributions of Black New Brunswickers are rarely mentioned and often erased; we can, and need to do better.” he continued.
The website is being launched just in time for Black History Month, which will help teachers to create lessons and content that reflect Black histories and experiences. In the coming months, we seek to work with Black community members and teachers to create more resources so that we might continue to build the website.
The long-term goal of Black Lives Matter Fredericton is to have New Brunswick Black History permanently and meaningfully incorporated into the curriculum. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Education and Districts of Education to provide direction and support until the curriculum is changed. We hope to see permanent changes taking place in some areas by the start of the 2021-2022 school term.
Media contact:Alicia Noreiga-Mundaroy(506) 471-7499alicia.noreiga@unb.caBlack Lives Matter Fredricton Blmfredericton@gmail.com
BLMF ESTABLISHES BURSARIES FOR BLACK STUDENTS AT STU & UNB
Date: January 19th, 2021.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BLMF ESTABLISHES BURSARIES FOR BLACK STUDENTS AT STU AND UNB
Fredericton, NB ─ Black Lives Matter Fredericton (BLMF) has established bursaries for Black students in financial need at St. Thomas University (STU) and the University of New Brunswick(UNB). The bursaries are valued at $500 per student and will be available over the next ten years at both institutions, starting next academic year. Black students from low-income families face increased barriers in accessing university education. The bursaries will alleviate some of the financial burdens that low-income Black students face.
“The data is clear that Black students are more likely to be from low-income families and face enormous barriers when attending post-secondary institutions,” said Husoni Raymond, an organizer with BLMF. “If we want to break down barriers and empower Black folks to be engaged in all aspects of society, we have to remedy the historical and present-day barriers that marginalize Black students on our university campuses,” he continued.
The bursaries are named after Dr. Mary Louise McCarthy-Brandt, a prominent Black activist and educator within New Brunswick. Dr. McCarthy-Brandt has been a pillar of support for the members of Black Lives Matter Fredericton and the Black community of New Brunswick.
“We are delighted to honour Dr. McCarthy-Brandt in this way; we could not think of a more deserving person to recognize,” said Alicia Noreiga-Mundaroy, a member of BLMF. “Just as how Mary Louise has supported our community throughout the years, we hope these bursaries will support Black students for years to come.”
The creation of this bursary augments the targeted financial aid available for Black students at the two universities.
“We are very excited to work with Black Lives Matter Fredericton to make these bursaries available for Black students in financial need. I am also thrilled that the bursaries will be named after Dr. McCarthy-Brandt,” said Dionne Izzard, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations at St. Thomas University.
“UNB's mission is to inspire and educate people to become problem solvers and leaders in the world. This bursary will help make post-secondary education more affordable for marginalized students, and that’s a great step forward,” said Shelley Clayton, Director of the Financial AidOffice, Student Services Fredericton at the University of New Brunswick.
If individuals are interested in helping Black Lives Matter Fredericton support these bursaries, donations can be e-transferred to blmfredericton@gmail.com, or donate directly on our website at blmfrederitcon.ca.
Media contact:
Husoni Raymond
blmfredericton@gmail.com
Dr. Mary Louise McCarthy-Brandt
marylouisemccarthy@gmail.com