荔枝视频

U荔枝视频 hosted the 2024 Violet King Engaged Scholar Awards virtually on Oct. 8, bringing together students and community members to celebrate the achievements of this year鈥檚 recipients.

Launched in 2022 as a collaborative initiative of the (SU) and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI), the awards are jointly funded by the SU鈥檚 program and the OEDI.

In an held on Feb. 15, the vision of the Violet King Engaged Scholar Awards was realised by Semhar Abraha, former vice-president academic with the SU, and Dr. Malinda Smith, vice-provost and associate vice-president research (equity, diversity and inclusion).

The Violet King Engaged Scholar Awards were inspired by the legacy of their trailblazing Calgarian namesake. Born here in 1929, Violet King attended Crescent Heights High School, where, in Grade 12, she served as the president of the Girls鈥� Association.

After high school, King moved on to the University of Alberta, and upon her graduation, became the first Black person in the province to graduate with a law degree. In 1954, she would become the first Black person in Alberta, and first Black woman in Canada, to become a lawyer.

鈥淪he proved that no matter what circumstances you were born into, you have the potential to achieve great things,鈥� says Smith.

In recognition of King鈥檚 accomplishments in the face of adversity, and with awareness of the challenges marginalized and under-represented groups still face, the award aims to celebrate excellence in leadership and academia. At the same time, they seek to alleviate some financial burdens for students. 

鈥淚t gives visibility to phenomenal contributions by students who may encounter various barriers. They could be from rural or working-class backgrounds, first-in-family, they could be refugees and newcomers, but when they get here, they start something, persevere and achieve great things,鈥� says Smith, 鈥渏ust like Violet King."

Central to the award鈥檚 narrative, King鈥檚 daughter, Jo-Anne Henry, returned as a guest speaker for the 2024 ceremony. Henry, who is a lawyer and the director of strategic impact at the , also participated in a Q&A with recipients before the awards were presented.

鈥淭he fact that these awards allow young people of colour to achieve their academic and professional goals, it would mean the world to my mom. It means the world to me,鈥� says Henry.

Although King died when Henry was still very young, before she could fully grasp her mother鈥檚 achievements, Henry reflects that the recent surge in awareness of King鈥檚 history has been a gift.

While there are others who helped pave the way for students, when she thinks of her mother鈥檚 legacy, Henry feels that King 鈥渇orged a path through the thickest of jungles.鈥�

鈥淪he somehow looked around and said, 鈥渢his is what I want to do and I'm going to do it,鈥� and yet, there was no representation at all. It's really incredible.鈥� says Henry. 鈥淭here was so much that she faced, but you wouldn't know it from looking at her and the way she carried herself.鈥�

U荔枝视频 Chancellor, Jon Cornish, who spoke at the event, expressed their excitement in celebrating the contributions of this year鈥檚 award recipients.

鈥淭hese are students we at U荔枝视频 are incredibly proud of,鈥� says Cornish. 鈥淚t's a privilege to be able to uplift students who bring forth their dedication to building a stronger community and who embody the best of the university.鈥�

Following the presentation of the awards, a keynote address was given by , a 荔枝视频-based historian, author, playwright and filmmaker.

Using her dedication and experience in uncovering the stories of Alberta鈥檚 Black pioneers, Foggo aimed to shed some light on what life was like for King in 荔枝视频, as across Alberta and the prairies. 

While King may not have had others ahead of her in her career to look to for guidance, it is Foggo鈥檚 hope that future generations will see people who look like them represented in all positions and careers. Walking a journey alone can be daunting, but having support can make all the difference, whether it's financial assistance or encouragement from peers.

鈥淚t can be a boost to someone who may be facing a financial barrier, in particular, to allow them to really focus on their studies,鈥� says Foggo. 鈥淰iolet King was working very hard teaching piano to help put herself through law school.鈥�

These awards have the potential to have a rippling effect of inspiration according to Foggo, but above all, she wants the recipients to know that she鈥檚 鈥減ulling for them.鈥�

Meet the six Violet King Engaged Scholar Award recipients: 

• Bernice Aladesemipe, a student, has made an impact throughout her academic journey with her involvement in the . Recently, Aladesemipe moved into a role as an undergraduate research assistant for the . 
• Brittany Bitternose, BA鈥�24, is a U荔枝视频 alum and member of George Gordon First Nation. An avid activist, she has worked with Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth through the , helping these youth on the way to a more positive path.  
• Breanna Fang, a student in the , has been involved with the to help eliminate barriers and increase access to education. She also developed a youth theatre program, where she taught drama skills and helped with play production. 
• Grace Kabengele, a first-generation Congolese law student, was a participant in the . Her community engagement is also marked by her involvement and leadership in U荔枝视频鈥檚 , the clinic, the , the 荔枝视频 chapter of and the  
• Betalihem Lemma, a student in the Cumming School of Medicine, was born in Kenya and grew a passion for advocacy from a young age. She belongs to U荔枝视频鈥檚 , has worked for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO's , contributed to Micha毛lle Jean Foundation鈥檚 and participated in the United Nation鈥檚 . 
• Amanda Tamakloe is a student. Since her first year, she has been making an impact through research and is also involved with the Scholars鈥� Academy, the Hydrogen Ecocar Club, , , , and the podcast initiative Uddering Engineers.  

For more on the Violet King Engaged Scholars Awards and to read more on this year鈥檚 recipients, please visit the website.