When Sali Moieldin (MA ’23) visits with high school students, she shares powerful examples from history while providing inspiration for the future.

As Learning Skills Specialist, Access and Inclusion with Brock’s Learning Services team, Moieldin is spending February teaching dozens of students at four local high schools about Black History Month/African Heritage Month and encouraging them to think about their own plans.

“I love hearing what Black History Month/African Heritage month means to these students,” said Moieldin. “When we discuss prominent Black figures — including writers like Audre Lorde and Toni Morrison, as well as athletes, scientists and more — it provides an example for students to set their own goals and have a growth mindset.”

Having gone to high school in St. Catharines, and completed a master’s degree at Brock, Moieldin knows first-hand what example and support can mean for secondary students beginning to chart their personal and career path.

“Whenever we had Black speakers come into high school, regardless of their profession, I was always inspired to learn how they had achieved success,” she said. “I was particularly intrigued to see Black educators and leaders, and it inspired me to make a difference for the next generation.”

The visits are part of the Future Black Leaders initiative organized by Learning Services, the Black Student Success Centre (BSSC) and partners from across the University, which will see follow-up visits in March as well as invitations to participate in new programming during Brock’s Open House in April and summer transitions sessions.

Having built on momentum and themes from the November Black Secondary Student Symposium, Monique Beauregard, BSSC Co-ordinator and Academic Advisor, said the initiative is mutually beneficial to students in the program as well as the partners from Brock.

“Future Black Leaders offers Black secondary students access to information, skill-building and connections that could otherwise be difficult to attain and navigate independently, while upper-year Brock students are provided the opportunity to refine their leadership skills by being a mentor for populations of students that often do not have Black representation to support their academic journeys,” she said.

With students already contacting her to take part in future events, Moieldin said she can’t wait to welcome them to campus.

“It’s so exciting to learn how Black students feel valued, heard and empowered,” she said. “This program is more than just promoting access to post-secondary; it is about fostering a community where Black students can see themselves as a part of the wider academic landscape.”

For more information about Future Black Leaders, email Moieldin at smoieldin@brocku.ca