U SPORTS, in conjunction with BlackNorth Initiative (BNI), announced Tuesday, December 19th the recipients of the 2023 Athletes on Track bursary. Eight Black student-athletes from across Canada, within the U SPORTS ecosystem, were awarded the bursary in the program’s second year of operation.
Funded through BNI by Scotia Wealth Management, and Sherrard Kuzz LLP and Canada Basketball, the initiative offers a $5,000 bursary to eight Black student-athletes. BNI will additionally assign a mentor to each student, providing assistance and guidance in various general skills like resume construction and public speaking, as well as addressing individualized needs tailored to each student’s specific requirements.
To be eligible for the bursary, the student-athletes identified as Black (Afro-Caribbean, African Canadian, and/or racialized), and are enrolled at a Canadian university, as well as being members of U SPORTS varsity team. The students also demonstrated financial need.
Canada West
Amou Madol (Saskatchewan – Women’s Soccer)
Ethan Keen (Mount Royal – Men’s Soccer)
OUA
Qeila Mbonihankuye (Algoma – Women’s Basketball)
Brendan Amoyaw (McMaster – Men’s Basketball)
RSEQ
Daniella Mbengo (McGill – Women’s Basketball)
El Hadj Saliou Diop (Montréal – Men’s Track and Field)
AUS
Jennifer Nkuah (New Brunswick – Women’s Basketball)
Wilfreid Kindo (Dalhousie – Men’s Soccer)
“We are immensely proud to support these talented Black student-athletes through the Athletes on Track program,” said Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, Chief Executive Officer of BlackNorth Initiative. “This initiative is not just about financial assistance; it’s about empowering these young individuals with mentorship and resources that transcend the playing field. By investing in their education and personal development, we are contributing to a future where diversity and excellence are celebrated in all spheres of Canadian life.”
“It is with great excitement that we extend our congratulations to the deserving recipients of the 2023 bursaries,” said Pierre Arsenault, Chief Executive Officer of U SPORTS. “As the national governing body in Canadian university sports, U SPORTS is firmly committed to championing the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and we embrace these ongoing opportunities to celebrate and to grow support for our Black student-athletes.”
About BlackNorth Initiative
The BlackNorth Initiative is on a mission to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset. We are committed to the removal of anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians. For more information, visit: https://blacknorth.ca/ and follow us on social media @blacknorthca.
Source: USports
