Third-year conflict studies and human rights student Aishah Salim, a spoken word poet, says it feels “incredibly meaningful” to be one of the many artists performing at the Black History Month Gala: Souls of Resilience, which will see key student groups joining forces for the first time.
“My art is rooted in resistance and storytelling,” Aishah says. “It centres Black experiences, advocacy and healing, while creating space for reflection and collective connection.”
“My performance connects strongly with this year’s theme, ‘Souls of Resilience,’ as it explores perseverance, emotional survival and the strength found in community and self-expression — how coming together, sharing our stories and holding space for one another becomes a powerful form of resilience itself.”
Formerly known as the Black Excellence Gala, the event was started by the Black Student Athlete Advocacy Council (BSAAC) in 2021 to honour and celebrate Black culture. In the past few years, it was organized in partnership with the University of Ottawa’s vice-provost, equity, diversity and inclusive excellence, the Gee-Gees and the Student Affairs programming team. For the first time this year, the Black Student Leaders Association (BSLA) and the Racialized and Indigenous Student Experience (RISE) Centre, a service of the uOttawa Students’ Union, will be joining the gala as co-creators.
Professor Awad Ibrahim, vice-provost, equity, diversity and inclusive excellence, says the gala is all about showing solidarity.
“When Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their ‘Black power’ fists in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, they were representing solidarity and togetherness while reminding us that we are always standing on the shoulders of those who struggled before us,” Ibrahim says. “This year’s Black History Month Gala marshals in that vein. Proudly, showing our beauty, solidarity and togetherness and arguing that our best is here, but our absolute best is yet to come. WORD!”
Stefan Supplice, senior advisor, culture and safe sport, Recreation and Varsity sports, and a former uOttawa student (BSocSc political science ’18) who has been deeply involved co-ordinating and organizing the Black Excellence Awards gala for several years, says the decision to combine efforts felt natural.
“It’s fantastic that we’re unifying this year. The gala will feature elements such as a student talent showcase led by BSLA, along with surprise performances,” Stefan says. “At the same time, we’re continuing the important tradition of announcing the Black Excellence Awards, which celebrate the outstanding creativity and leadership of Black students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. We’ve even added two new awards this year.”
Mikhail Nembhard, a fifth-year human kinetics student and Gee-Gees football athlete who’s been a BSAAC member for three years, adds: “Having multiple groups involved allows for a deeper dive into the Black perspective. We have many members adding their own thoughts and ideas into a large pool. Having this vast resource allows the gala to have depth it’s never had before.”
“We have seen significant growth in the gala’s impact and its ability to reach more Black students through partnerships with campus groups. This year is very special as we’re coming together as a community.”
Mikhail Nembhard
— Fifth-year human kinetics student and a BSAAC member
Ketsia Nana, a fourth-year international development and globalization student and RISE centre co-ordinator, says Black History Month has always been a focal point for RISE’s year-round mandate of advancing equity through community empowerment, healing, education and cultural expression.
“The Black History Month Gala has long been one of the ways RISE highlights the achievements, voices and resilience of Black students at the University of Ottawa,” Ketsia says. “This year marks an important turning point. Expanding the gala reflects a deliberate shift in how the celebration is approached: not as competition between organizations, but as a collective effort grounded in solidarity. By bringing together artists, student leaders, athletes, advocates and multiple Black student organizations, the gala becomes a shared platform where excellence is amplified rather than compared.”
“There’s nothing more resilient than showing up for one another and for our community. This will be an event like no other!”
Aishah Salim
— Third-year conflict studies and human rights student
Get your tickets!
The Black History Month Gala: Souls of Resilience will take place February 27 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Canadian Museum of History.
Tickets are $35 for students and $50 for staff and alumni. All proceeds support Black student scholarships, helping to expand access, opportunity and belonging.
Get your tickets today!
Black Excellence Awards 2026
Nominations for the Black Excellence Awards 2026 close February 15.
If you know of a worthy candidate for the following awards, act now by completing the Black Excellence Awards 2026 nomination form.
• Community Advocate Award
• Entrepreneurship Award
• Artist Recognition Award
• BSAAC Student-Athlete Award
• Academic Excellence Award
