York University announces partnership with RBC Future Launch, receiving $1.2 million donation in support of Black youth leadership initiatives and Black scholars
TORONTO, March 2, 2021 – York University is pleased to announce it has received a new $1.2 million donation from the RBC Foundation as part of RBC Future Launch, directly supporting the work of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora which is held by well-known educator Professor Carl James. This generous donation will create and build on James’ education initiatives for Black youth in priority areas including student success, pathways to education, and support for Black scholars. 
Established in 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair is an endowed Chair established by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to the Parliament of Canada, and champion of the unanimous vote in 1995 that saw February designated as Black History Month. The Chair is one of only two endowed university chairs in Canada dedicated to research and knowledge mobilization endeavours on Black and African-descended communities.
RBC Foundation’s $1.2 million donation will provide direct support to the Chair’s programs in four key areas, including:
- Hosting the first ever National Conference for Black youth in Canada;
- Supporting student pipeline initiatives at York and up to four other universities across Canada that will bring high school students onto university campuses, thereby enabling them to imagine themselves participating in post-secondary education;
- Establishing a new Canadian data hub that will strengthen research and information capacity and inform better public policy; and
- Creating new opportunities, supports and training for young Black scholars who as graduate students and post-doctoral fellows will engage in research, teaching and mentorship activities that will serve as resources to local Black communities.
It is anticipated that up to 900 high school and university students, and postdoctoral scholars could be served through the various initiatives, serving as a pipeline for many of their post-high school ambitions. The accompanying research will serve to inform the feasibility and productivity of programs implemented.
RBC Future Launch is a 10-year, $500 million commitment to empower Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow. With a focus on networking, skills development, practical work experience and mental wellbeing supports and services, the initiative aims to help break down the barriers facing young people. In 2020, RBC announced a series of actions against systemic racism – including a commitment to invest $50 million by 2025 through RBC Future Launch to create meaningful and transformative pathways to prosperity for up to 25,000 BIPOC youth with investments in areas such as skills development and mentoring.
Building on previous work, and working with all university community partners, York has re-doubled efforts to advance specific initiatives and strategies to support Black scholars, and directly address anti-Black racism. Through innovative programs, including the research and scholarly work of Prof. James, the Jean Augustine Chair, our unique Black Canadian Studies Certificate, and the new Postdoctoral Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars, we are putting this responsibility at the center of our teaching and research.
Quotes:
“My research, academic, and community work has long been guided by the urgent need to support Black youth as they strive for success in the face of longstanding systemic barriers in education, and in society,” said Prof. Carl James, who holds the Jean Augustine Chair. “RBC Future Launch, designed to support a variety of community-centred initiatives for young people, is a deeply appreciated contribution; and I’m pleased that the work of the Chair – particularly its programs that seek to support Black youth across Canada – will benefit significantly from this generous donation.”
“The Jean Augustine Chair is addressing the systemic barriers and racial inequalities in the Canadian education system which is vital to an equitable future,” said the Hon. Jean Augustine. “Focusing on empowering Black youth today through high-quality education, providing a central source for data to inform decisions on policy and practice, and providing Black scholars with research experience to build capacity and skills, will address diverse representation in areas such as academia and industry for generations to come.”
“We are excited to be partnering with York University to deliver on the promise of RBC Future Launch: helping young Canadians prepare for the future of work,” said Mark Beckles, Vice President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC. “Through the resources and mentorship opportunities supported by our partnership, we are directly empowering more Black youth to achieve post-secondary success. Further, the research produced by the data hub will generate long-term, positive impact by informing the systems and supports offered to Black youth across Canada – including RBC Future Launch.”
“York University is committed to offering a diverse student population access to a high-quality, research-intensive university committed to the social, economic, cultural, and environmental well-being of society,” said Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor. “This generous donation, made possible by the RBC Foundation, will support Professor James’ trailblazing work to build pathways for Black youth to pursue their educational goals, and provide new opportunities for current and future Black scholars to drive positive change at York, across Canada, and beyond.”
York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. York’s fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario’s Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.
MEDIA CONTACT: Barbara Joy, Director, Media Relations, 416-333-3374, barbjoy@yorku.ca
