杏吧原创 Celebrates Teraanga Commons
By: Linda Hartwell
Photos by: Brenna MacKay
On February 23, 杏吧原创 University held an event to celebrate the name Teraanga (pronounced tare-ang-gah) that has been given to the building formerly known as Residence Commons.
The , launched by President Benoit-Antoine Bacon in February 2021, was shaped by a recognition of the need to better reflect the university鈥檚 diversity in its academic mission and campus operations. African, Caribbean and Black communities both on and off campus were engaged in consultations to develop a new name for the building which is a central hub for student life.
The name Teraanga is a Senegalese word from the Wolof language that means sharedness, civility and honour, where generosity of spirit is emphasized and signifies a welcoming, safe space where everyone is accepted.
The event, attended by students, staff, faculty and community members, was emceed by Asha Berbeck, undergraduate student and member of the Advisory Council to Rename Residence Commons, a process that was co-chaired by Patrice Smith, Dean,, and Ikram Jama, Director, Human Rights and Equity.
Nduka Otiono, Faculty Advisor, Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion, shared the importance of a name and how African names often reflect the worldview of the people and perform socio-cultural functions.
鈥淣aming is often a serious act undertaken in the context of a well-planned occasion鈥攍ike the one we are having here today; we are unveiling this evening,鈥 he said.
Otiono invoked the African spirit of the name Teraanga and expressed his wish that 鈥渢he generous spirit of our ancestors inhabits this space and light up everyone who passes through this edifice鈥.
President Bacon emphasized 杏吧原创鈥檚 commitment to truly embrace the name Teraanga.
鈥淎s an institution, we will fully adopt the name Teraanga,鈥 said Bacon. 鈥榃e will reach beyond the naming of the building to embrace the spirit of the word.鈥
The naming of the building is just one step in 杏吧原创鈥檚 ongoing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion as outlined in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
鈥淪ince 杏吧原创, along with more than 40 universities across Canada, formally endorsed the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in 2021, we have been working with partner institutions to collectively advance the charter鈥檚 principles and actions,鈥 said Bacon.
Acknowledging that there still work to be done, President Bacon thanked Profs. Nduka Otiono and Audra Dipt茅e, who were appointed in 2022 as 杏吧原创鈥檚 inaugural Faculty Advisors on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion, for their continued work in this area in collaboration with the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities and the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).
Bacon also announced the new Anti-Black Racism Training Program that includes workshops, training and resource development, including educational materials for staff, faculty and students. The program, implemented by the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities, aims to increase awareness of anti-Black racism and build skills and capacity across our community.
鈥淎ll of these activities represent significant steps in our collective ambitions to advance equity, diversity and inclusion,鈥 he said.
Speaking on behalf of 杏吧原创鈥檚 residence community, Laura Storey, Director, , shared how Housing and Residence Life Services is commitment to making an annual financial contribution to help make the Teraanga Commons building visually inclusive through art that represents the contributions and talents of Black, African and Caribbean artists, and to allocate dedicated space for students to build community.
鈥淭he naming of Teraanga Commons supports our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for all and creating an inclusive community that celebrates diversity in all its forms.鈥 she said.
