By Stanley Ugagbe
As part of efforts to support building of a cultural centre for Black Canadians, The Schulich Foundation has donated $1,000,000 to the BlackNorth Initiative.
The donation from The Schulich Foundation – the philanthropic vehicle for Seymour Schulich, a leading Canadian businessman and philanthropist was disclosed to newsmen by Wes Hall, Founder and Chairman of the BlackNorth Initiative.
“I would like to publicly thank Seymour Schulich for his generosity and his pledge of $1,000,000 to support the BlackNorth Initiative, and the building of a cultural centre for Black Canadians to ensure Black history is accurately recorded and disseminated”.
“The cultural centre is an important component of our vision to dismantle the anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians,” Hall said.
According to the Founder, the Initiative will support the development of programs and initiatives focusing on the challenges facing Black people when it comes to health care, education, the justice system, community safety, at-risk youth, economic empowerment, and other areas.
Hall succinctly averred that the cultural centre will raise awareness about the challenges Black Canadians face, preserve and spotlight Black history in Canada, promote Black arts and culture, and be a gathering place for people of all backgrounds working together to combat anti-Black systemic racism.
“We encourage both corporations and individuals to follow the
generous example set by The Schulich Foundation and donate to the BlackNorth
Initiative”.
on his part, Schulich, while remarking on the development
said “I’m pleased to support this important initiative”.
“We are confident the BlackNorth Initiative will improve the lives of Black Canadians, effect positive change, and continue to build a stronger, unified, more prosperous Canada.”
The Schulich Foundation is one of Canada’s largest foundations, having donated in excess of $350 million. Seymour Schulich, a self-made billionaire whose career has spanned stock brokerage, investment counseling, mining and the oil industry, established and funds the foundation. Mr. Schulich holds Canada’s highest civilian award, the Order of Canada, and is among Canada’s greatest philanthropists. Having benefited greatly from a scholarship that enabled him to do his MBA, Mr. Schulich has built a well-earned reputation as a champion for education and access to education in Canada and around the world. As a result, The Schulich Foundation has endowed university faculties of business, engineering, medicine, law, education, music, chemistry, nursing and dentistry; as well as libraries, dormitories, courtyards, medical health centres, lecture and music halls. Over 6,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students in Schulich schools. Their largest current initiative is the Schulich Leader Scholarship Program, awarding $100,000 undergraduate STEM scholarships to 100 students across Canada each year, based on their academic excellence, leadership and financial need.
