On February 7th, as a part of Black History Month celebrations, Radio FWD reached out to students on campus in collaboration with SCSU,  African Students Association, Caribbean Connections and the Women’s and Trans Centre, to host a photoshoot in our newly renovated multimedia studio: The Spot. 

 

     Along with taking portraits photos of our participants, we spent some time celebrating and reflecting on the black icons that paved the way for modern history. We asked students to pick an icon in Black history that inspired them most. There are so many Black icons that have changed the world as we know it, these lively discussions of black excellence and influence flowed in between taking photos. 

 

     In no particular order, here the names of Black Icons that our student participants have chosen to inspire them the most: Nelson Mandala, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr., Condoleeza Rice, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Beyonce, Barrack Obama, Drake, Tiffany Haddish, Mike Todd, Big Sean, Rosa Parks, Issa Rae, Jackie Aina, Assata Shakur, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Edna Adan, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Lebron James, Ben Carson, Tosin Abasi, Audre Lorde, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Laverne Cox, Donte Colley, and Desmond Cole.

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     It’s important to celebrate Black History, to acknowledge the historical depths and continuous struggle of racialized black communities everywhere. To do our part to empower black youth in our communities and encourage allyship. We’ve selected some of our favourite shots with our black student participants as well as a few allies. This is our very first Black History Month student photo series, and we hope to continue it in the years to come!