BBPA scholarships offer opportunities for youths
November 21, 2022
Often denied access to higher education because their families are in the low-income bracket, many young people rely on academic funding to pay for post-secondary education.
When Zaevian Dawson learnt he was the recipient of a Black Business & Professional Association (BBPA) national scholarship, he paused to soak in the good fortune.
On October 14, he was among 150 students celebrated after receiving academic funding worth $500,000.
“This is an investment in my education and I take this very seriously,” said the Toronto Metropolitan University student who is studying computer engineering. “I am thankful and grateful for this scholarship and I will strive to do my best to ensure I am deserving of this and I don’t let anyone down.”
In his early years in high school, Dawson considered pursuing law.
That changed in Grade 11 when he took a Computer Science course.
“I loved it and realized that coding is a good skill to add to my repertoire,” said Dawson who was the recipient of a Jamaican Canadian Association scholarship in September. “Down the road as a career, I want to do something that is computer-related or in the patent law domain.”
The Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School graduate was a member of the Trust 15 community youth initiative started in 2011 by former Toronto District School Board Educational Assistant Marcia Brown who he thanked for introducing him to the program.
Young people in North Etobicoke are engaged in the Ladies on the Move, Men of Distinction and Girls on the Rise programs that cater to under-served and challenged teenagers.
Connected with mentors, professionals and community leaders, the youths are provided key networks that help them navigate challenges in and out of the classroom.
Joining Trust 15 in Grade 11 boosted Dawson’s confidence.
“My public speaking improved to the point that I was comfortable moderating a panel in my final year in high school and speak in front of a large audience,” he said. “Last year, I spoke to young men in my school and parents about the benefits of the program.”
Dawson praised his parents – Clifton and Norda Dawson -- for pushing him to be successful.
“They got me into reading when I was in elementary school and that is one of my favourite hobbies,” he added. “They also always stress the importance of education which is something I value. They have been an integral part of my life.”
Dawson also lauded Tyanna Browne, Re’gina Brown-Anazodo and Luka Notten for helping him prepare the scholarship applications.
Funding himself through law school, Dave D’Oyen is aware that every penny counts and is very appreciative of the scholarship.
Dave D’Oyen (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
He is part of the third cohort at Lincoln Alexander School of Law dedicated to training the next generation of legal professionals to engage and shape technology.
“One way to really help push for more systemic changes is to get these credentials,” said the 2013 McGill University graduate who was recognized by his alma mater three years ago with the James G. Wright Award presented to a young alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated exemplary service and made a difference in their community. “It is the lawyers who get to lead independent reviews and Commissions of Inquiry. Law shapes so much of what we do.”
D’Oyen expects to practice human rights and constitutional law.
“I am open to other areas as well,” the Michaelle Jean Foundation board member and former Export Development Canada first national lead for Black Exporters pointed out. “As I am going through the courses, I find myself liking criminal law. There is also Indigenous Law which is mandatory here and which I will do next year.”
Recurring scholarship recipient Taejah Noble was the valedictorian.
Receiving the first scholarship while enrolled at C.W Jeffery’s High School was awe-inspiring for the fourth-year University of Guelph-Humber Bachelor of Science student.
“The BBPA has supported me throughout university,” she said. “Each time I have received a scholarship, it reminds me of the power in what I have and to work with what you have even if you don’t think you have it. The first time I applied, I was intimidated by the other applicants portfolios. Many of them already had undergraduate and graduate degrees. Without much to create a professional photo, I asked my sister to get white bed sheets for a background. Looking back, doing this made me realise there is power in your story and working with what you have.”
Founded four decades ago, the BBPA administers the national scholarship program started in 1986.
“What an inspiration this group is,” remarked BBPA Chief Executive Officer Nadine Spencer. “You represent a brand new way forward. You have overcome countless hurdles in and out of the classroom in pursuit of your goals. You see the power and value in education and you have not been deterred by the hurdles you have had to overcome. This funding is an investment in you. You model Black excellence and you are well on your way to becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Your successes will be a boom to the Canadian economy.”
BBPA Chief Executive Officer Nadine Spencer (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
The scholarships are made possible through generous donors who see the value in helping young people achieve their academic and career goals.
“In funding tuition and related expenses and providing internship experiences, mentorship and all the things we will do together, you are helping to dismantle decades of injustices faced by the Black community,” added Spencer. “Your continued support helps the BBPA and all Canadians change the narrative for what is possible.”
In recognizing the community’s academic potential, BBPA President Ross Cadastre said the organization will ensure that young people are given a financial boost.
“We read your compelling and sometimes very emotional stories,” he said. “We want you to know we heard you, we see you and we will be with you through this process to ensure your success. You are among the top calibre of Black students in Canada and I am impressed by the specialization of your studies covering a wide spectrum of disciplines. I am confident that with the right level of support and academic guidance, you – as BBPA scholars – will be prepared for a bigger and brighter tomorrow at each of the institutions you are attending.”
BBPA President Ross Cadastre (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
The Ontario government is a key supporter of the scholarship program, providing nearly $135,000 annually in the past few years.
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce acknowledged the BBPA for inspiring entrepreneurs, small and large businesses to grow and achieve the Canadian dream that many families sought when they left their birth countries.
“I am so proud of your leadership team and the work you are doing to raise funds and build hope in the next generation of Black students,” he said. “You have been on the leading edge of that advocacy to make sure that government is working with community to break down barriers, to inspire young children to succeed and to carry forward the great legacy of hard work, compassion and generosity that is embraced by your organization and by the community at large.”
Growing up in Annapolis Valley in rural Nova Scotia, Dr. Alexander Chase didn’t see or know anyone looking like him who was in the health care profession. This along with the fact that very few family members had pursued post-secondary education did not deter him from attending Acadia University to study Chemistry with the goal of becoming a medical practitioner.
Though working part-time and leaning on his family for financial support to make it through university, Chase was running low on funds midway through his undergraduate program.
“It was at that time I started looking around for scholarships and found the BBPA,” he said in the keynote address. “I applied for a scholarship and was fortunate enough to get a renewable one just before the start of my third year. That funding helped to pay for my application fees, write the medical college admission test and cover travel costs to go out to different schools I had applied to for interviews. Without that scholarship, I am not sure how I would have been able to get those things done.”
Graduating in 2017 from Queen’s School of Medicine, Chase is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax and part-time lecturer at Dalhousie University’s School of Medicine.
The Bank of Montreal (BMO) awarded 30 four-year undergraduate scholarships worth $1.2 million that includes mentorship and internship for recipients over three years.
“At BMO, we believe in a future being built by young Black students and that is why we are incredibly proud to partner with the Black Business & Professional Association to offer the BMO Funding Future Scholarship, awarding 30 exceptional individuals who are the first in their families to attend university or college,” said BMO Financial Group Chief Inclusion Officer Vanessa Lewerentz. “We know we are going to see these recipients become outstanding pillars in our communities.”
For the first time, the BBPA offered an accounting scholarship through Xero which specializes in cloud-based accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses.
“This scholarship means a lot to us because the next generation of accounting professionals are the ones that will be contesting and pushing industry standards and ways of working,” said Fay Pang who is Xero Canada Country Manager. “That is what we truly love to see.”
Sky Dunkley, who is pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree at Ontario Technical University, was the recipient of the inaugural scholarship.
“This is such a big investment in my education and I am grateful for the support,” said the third-year student.
Toyota Canada has been at the forefront in the automotive industry in leading the charge to increase diversity in the sector.
Through its Foundation, the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles has invested in ‘Let’s Talk Science’ to support national science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education outreach for youth across Canada and funded scholarships for Black students pursuing post-secondary education in automotive technology.
“We know your talent and drive will be such an important part of the Canadian auto industry’s future and we hope to welcome some of you to the Toyota family one day,” said Toyota Canada Foundation Treasurer Leslie Miller. “I am confident that this is only the beginning and you will all continue to have enormous success in your careers.”
Receiving a Toyota Canada Foundation scholarship, noted Justin Joseph, is ‘truly a blessing’.
“Coming from a single income household, it has eased the financial burden on me and my family’s shoulders and allowed me to focus on my education,” said the University of Waterloo Mechatronics Engineering student. “I hope to use my learning over the next five years to further advance the tech sector, specifically in the field of robotics as that is what I am most passionate about. I also want to be a role model for aspiring Black engineers.”
With women underrepresented in the automotive sector, Chanice Dwyer is confident the funding will pave the way for her to carve out a successful career.
“As a woman, it is really hard to get somewhere in any type of hands-on male-dominated career,” said the recipient who is enrolled in Centennial College’s Auto Body & Collision Repairer program. “This scholarship will help me get past all the barriers in front of me.”
Assessed by independent judges, a scoring system weighing academic performance, financial need, leadership, community service and personal story was used to select the winners.
Since the inception of the scholarship program 36 years ago, nearly $5 million in funding has been awarded to approximately 2,200 young Canadians pursuing academic excellence.
Dr. Wayne Batchelor, Canada’s first Black Interventional Cardiologist, received the first scholarship of $1,000.
He is the Director of Interventional Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Research & Innovation at Inova Heart & Vascular Institute in northern Virginia.
