Reflecting on Black History Month: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build

Feature Stories | 28 Feb 2024

Black Histories and Futures Month (BHFM) is a time for reflection, celebration, and education. It serves as a reminder of the significant contributions Black people have made to all facets of society, including medicine. This year, the Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA) kicked off the month with a compelling BHFM Opening Ceremony featuring moving reflections by students and faculty members, and an uplifting musical performance by Jalisa Bernadin. This ceremony, attended by students, and faculty from across Queen’s, is the second of its kind to ever be held at the School of Medicine. This year’s BHFM Opening ceremony commemorates exponential growth within the BMSA membership, signifying its vitality, and its permanency.

This year's theme, "Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build," resonates deeply with me as it emphasizes not only the rich history of Black achievement but also the ongoing work to build a future where Black individuals can thrive. In acknowledging our history, we give permission to ourselves to soar beyond the confines of our wildest imagination; in seeing how far we have come, we defy any limitations of how far we can go.

The history of Black medical students at Queen’s, up until recently, was disgraceful and egregious. Systemic institutional barriers prevented Black students from gaining admission into the MD program, and the fate of the BMSA teetered year to year, uncertain if any Black students would matriculate.

The history of Black medical students at Queen’s is also punctuated with periods of immense pride and joy. Despite these barriers, the Black students who have attended Queen’s have left behind an incredible legacy and have continued to excel in residency.

Together, we can strive to build a more just and equitable society where every individual, regardless of their race or background, has access to quality health care and the opportunity to thrive.

When I think about celebrating our heritage, I think about the Black medical students who attended Queen’s before me, and who did the work to create a Black Medical Students’ Association, and to develop the cultural infrastructure for me to thrive here now.

When I think about building a future, I think about all the meaningful changes I have seen in the past two years. I think about the dedicated faculty committed to radically transforming Queen’s into an institution that advocates for Black learners, elevates Black voices, and educates remarkable Black doctors who change the landscape of Canadian health care by relentlessly challenging the status quo.

This month has been a powerful opportunity for self-reflection and learning, prompting important conversations about how we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable health care system. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing work that must be done to dismantle systemic barriers and advocate for social justice within the field of medicine and beyond. As we honour the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future during this month, let us recommit ourselves to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our medical education and practice. Together, we can strive to build a more just and equitable society where every individual, regardless of their race or background, has access to quality health care and the opportunity to thrive.

-- Grace Ayoo is a second-year Meds student (and BHSc graduate) and is President of the Aesculapian Society, a member of the Black Medical Students’ Association and Director of Internal Affairs at the Black Medical Students' Association of Canada.

Photo caption: (left to right) Mudia Iyaya, Grace Ayoo and Corey Fletcher at the BHFM Opening Ceremony event on February 1, 2024

Reflecting on Black History Month: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build

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