‘A great way to celebrate Black excellence’
Vanessa Manroop is another graduating student who attended the celebration. With her BComm in human resources management now complete, Manroop says she hopes to carve out safe spaces for racialized people in the workplace.
She adds that an event like Black Grad is an excellent moment to begin this next step of her journey.
“It’s so empowering to see other people that look like you, that have similar experiences as you — culturally, they know you,” Manroop says.
“Going into the workplace with others at the same time, it’s a great way to make sure you don’t feel alone or that you have people to go to. And it’s just a great way to celebrate Black excellence.”
Manroop is one of six students that NouLa recognized with awards of excellence this year as part of the ceremony. She received hers in the category of Leadership in Community Engagement.
Teeanna Munro, manager of the NouLa centre, praised Manroop for “continuously demonstrating exceptional competency and passion for community building, volunteerism and mentorship.”
Throughout her studies, Manroop dedicated herself to supporting her Black peers on and off campus — as a student ambassador for the Black Perspectives Office, a student facilitator at Homeroom Concordia and a volunteer with the Black Girls Gather book club in Montreal’s West Island, among other endeavours.
NouLa also presented awards to Emmanuel Gaisie, for Leadership in Student Engagement; Camina Harrison-Chéry, for Leadership in Student Advocacy; Faith Paré, for Advocacy; Karine Balé, for Research and Innovation; and Merveille Djifo, for Community Engagement.