Black History Month: Learning Opportunities

In the spirit of sharing learning opportunities about equity, diversity and inclusion, the Committee for Action on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (C-AIDE) at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is pleased to encourage members of the MUHC to participate in the Black History Month-related events and workshops being organized by our McGill University colleagues during the month of February.  This year’s theme is Healing Forward and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is a partner in the opening ceremony. You will also find a listing of other events taking place at McGill and across Montreal at the end of this message. We hope you will be able to participate in one or more events!

Please note that in the coming month, more suggestions will be shared with the MUHC community.

Dr. Anita Brown-Johnson and Ms. Seeta Ramdass
Members of the Board of Directors of the MUHC and Co-Chairs of C-AIDE

Black History Month 2021 McGill Opening Ceremony

Monday, February 1, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. (EST)  Registration

The evening will feature a keynote address by McGill alumni Dr. Onye Nnorom, Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health of University of Toronto, a Q&A period and a performance by West-Can Folk Performing Company. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is taking part in the opening ceremony.

Free access to documentary film, Black Men in White Coats

Organized by the Social Accountability and Community Engagement (SACE) Office

February 1-3, all day, Register for film access

Take advantage of 3 days of free access to the new 80-minute documentary, Black Men in White Coats. “This documentary dissects the systemic barriers preventing Black men from becoming medical doctors and the consequences on society at large. Less Black men applied to medical school in 2014 than in 1978, and Black men have the lowest life expectancy in the United States. With only 2% of American doctors being Black men, this comes as no surprise. What if we had a medical workforce that actually reflected our patient population? What challenges do our Black boys face? Who are their role models? Why is it easier to visualize a Black man in an orange jumpsuit than it is in a white coat?”

Q&A with Dr. Dale, producer of Black Men in White Coats

Organized by the SACE Office and Supporting Young Black Students (SYBS)

Wednesday, February 3, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (EST) Registration

Join for a Q&A with the executive producer of the documentary, Black Men in White Coats. Get a chance to ask your questions about the movie! An extract from Dr. Dale Okorodudu: “I’m a Black male doctor. I’ve sat in class while my professor used the ‘N’ word. I’ve been mistaken for hospital transport rather than the doctor that I am. I’ve been approached by police so they could search my friend’s trunk unwarranted. I’ve been told that I dress funny, speak poorly, and would never be successful. If these things happen to me as a doctor, what happens to other Black men? What will happen to my sons? This is why I started Black Men in White Coats and why I decided to produce the film Black Men in White Coats.”

Addressing Mental Health in the Black Community

Organized by SYBS, the SACE Office and the Office of the Provost

Wednesday, February 10, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (EST) Register here

This event will explore how the increased rate of mental health concerns in Black communities is related to the lack of access to appropriate mental health care, prejudice and racism, and historical trauma enacted on the Black community by the medical field.

Workshop, Effective allyship against systemic racism

Organized by the SACE Office, the Indigenous Health Professions Program and the Office of the Provost

Monday, February 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (EST) Registration

This online Allyship workshop will provide new ways to foster critical conversations about interpersonal racism. The information provided is timely and relevant given the current context and many calls to action in solidarity with Black communities through the Black Lives Matter movement and in solidarity with Indigenous communities through the Joyce’s Principle motion. The training provides both space for self-reflection as well as concrete, actionable tools to empower faculty, staff and students to advocate for themselves and others. This workshop is open to any member of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, be they students, faculty members or staff.

Other Events View event listings here.

• The Great White North: Race and Reckoning in Canada
• Africa Speaks: Africa Beyond the Motherland, McGill African Students Society
• Vision Celebration Gala: Black Theatre Workshop
• Colonial Violence with Dr. Afua Cooper
• Disability Justice 101
• African Heritage in Quebec with Webster
• The Impact of the Pandemic with Dr. Alicia Boatswain-Kyte & Thierry Lindor
• The Impact of the Pandemic on Young Black Canadians with Bout du Monde
• Montreal Steppers Showcase