“Black success has no limits.”

They’re words Naomi Lawrence says with confidence as she talks about the work and purpose behind Brock University’s newly launched Black Student Success Centre (BSSC).

The Goodman School of Business student, who is also a student staff member at the centre, believes firmly in its mission to advance and celebrate the achievements of Brock’s Black, African and Caribbean students. She was overjoyed to see the space officially open its doors Thursday, Oct. 26.

“I have seen the Black Student Success Centre being built from the ground up and it has been such an inspirational experience,” Lawrence says. “It’s a space where students feel supported, where we feel heard, where we are represented and where we feel safe. We offer support where Black students are around a community of people who look like us and understand us to a deeper level.”

Located off Market Hall in TH 131, the BSSC strives to support the academic, personal and professional growth and development of Brock’s Black students.

Led by a dedicated team of professional and student staff, the Centre provides a welcoming and safe space for Black undergraduate and graduate students to gather, make connections and access key supports and services.

A soft launch saw its doors open in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s ribbon cutting, with the space quickly becoming a popular spot for students to not only seek guidance, but also build community.

“In discussions with Brock’s Black, African and Caribbean students, staff, faculty and alumni, we heard the call for resources designed to ensure Black students thrive on campus and beyond,” says Brad Clarke, Associate Vice-President, Students. “The Black Student Success Centre is a space of mutual connection and community–building. It is a place of mentorship and leadership where students can guide and uplift and help Brock to reach our full collective potential.”

Part of Brock’s ongoing commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment for all, the BSSC is rooted in guiding principles of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education, which promote Black flourishing, inclusive excellence, mutuality and accountability.

In 2021, Brock joined nearly 50 universities and colleges across Canada in signing the Charter, which identifies key barriers to Black inclusion and approaches to responding to them.

The Black Student Success Centre along with the University’s commitment to increasing faculty and professional librarian diversity through the hiring of 12 Black scholars are among the key actions Brock has since taken as part of this meaningful work.

“By empowering students through the Black Student Success Centre, we’re not just shaping their futures, we’re also reshaping the entire campus culture and creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all,” says Tassia Gabbidon, BSSC Co-ordinator and Community Counsellor of Anti-Oppression and Justice.

“The work we do in the Black Student Success Centre helps many students and will continue to do so for years to come,” says Monique Beauregard, BSSC Co-ordinator and Academic Advisor. “We are building community, developing skills and offering tailored services that otherwise cannot be accessed anywhere else on campus. This is exciting work to be a part of.”

Along with individual supports offered to students, the BSSC will also provide guidance to Brock’s Black student clubs and organizations, and work to foster opportunities for leadership and collaboration across campus.

The centre also embraces Black-focused community organizations in Niagara and seeks to honour the significant and rich Black history of the region.

For more information on the Black Student Success Centre, visit brocku.ca/bssc