NBGN blog
Welcome to a brand-new academic year!
Welcome to a brand-new academic year! As you plunge into fresh ideas and shake up the narratives around us, know that the National Black Graduate Network (NBGN) is right by your side throughout your societal and academic journey! ...
Reflecting on Antoinette ‘Bonnie’ Candia-Bailey: Insights from Her Life and Legacy
Breaking Silos, Building Community And Navigating Mental Health Together By marcus singleton I am tired of seeing my colleagues being torn limb from limb both emotionally and professionally. These Black leaders are people first. They have gifts and talents. They have to make hard decisions just like you do and sometimes they make huge mistakes. They are not your tokens, and they deserve an opportunity to lead. They deserve the same grace you give our non-Black colleagues —Jaelyn Scott ...
Happy Black History Month
Hi members, Happy Black History Month! I recently went to a Black History Month event at my local church that was highlighting Black LGBTQ+ folks and their contributions. The event was lovely and it was accompanied by engaging conversations. We were presented with Black queer icons such as James Baldwin, Billy Holiday, Bayard Rustin and Josephine Baker to name a few. As the conversation grew and took momentum, I could not help but think of ordinary Black people in ...
What is your pandemic experience as a Black Graduate Student?
Recently, I had a chat with some friends who are grad students. As with every informal conversation, we digressed into series of topics, one of which was our COVID experiences. Each person recounted the most ways they had been affected by the ongoing pandemic. A common response was that studying had become more difficult due to being stuck at home, low motivation, and series of distractions. Others mentioned how they finally had time to work on some ideas long ...
Welcome to the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Who We Are Hello everyone! Welcome to the National Black Graduate Network and welcome back to those returning! We are excited to kick off this new school year with renewed energy and a deep sense of our growing community. Whether you are considering research, just beginning your graduate journey, or nearing the final stretch of your studies, this space offers opportunities to connect, share your voice, and showcase your work. As we begin this academic year, there is a ...
Exploring Identity in Black Diasporic Communities: Navigating the Intersection of African and Black Identities in Canada
At the National Black Graduate Network (NBGN), we engage deeply with the complexities and nuances of identity within Black communities across Canada and the diaspora. One of the key questions we explore is: Why do some Black Canadians of various diasporic backgrounds not identify as African? And why do some Africans from the continent not identify as Black?These questions reveal the multifaceted layers of belonging, identity, and history with Peoples of afro-descendance. They challenge us to reflect on ...
Solidarity as a foundation for mental well-being among Black graduate students in Canada
Graduate school is demanding for everyone, but for Black graduate students in Canada, the journey often comes with added layers of complexity. Navigating academic spaces that have historically excluded or marginalized Black voices presents unique challenges, from overt systemic racism to the subtle yet insidious daily experiences of microaggressions. These obstacles can lead to a sense of isolation, heightened pressure to overachieve, and the pervasive burden of feeling invisible in environments that fail to reflect or affirm Black identities ...
Welcome to the 2023-2024 academic year
Greetings, dear members of the National Black Graduate Network (NBGN)! We, the NBGN staff, wish you all a happy new academic year. We are extending positive energy and thoughts to each and every one of you who are continuing on this journey as academic scholars or graduate students and students of Black Studies in Canada. To our new members, we would like to send a special shout-out welcome to you and let you know that the NBGN is an ...
Every Child matters/ Chaque enfant compte
On this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, The NBGN stands in solidarity with Canada's Indigenous communities. This day is not only a time for reflection, but also a call to action. We must collectively acknowledge the painful legacy of colonialism, residential schools and systemic racism faced by Indigenous Peoples ...