STU celebrates Black History Month: Resilience, legacy and the pursuit of excellence
- Polina Kozlova and Gisele Gallibois
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
Sidnel Longuma traveled from Entebbe, Uganda, to Canada in August 2024—a nearly 20-hour plane ride she took alone for the first time.
She came to St. Thomas University (STU) to pursue a double major in human rights and sustainability and environmental studies.
On Monday, Feb.1, Longuma served as the emcee (MC) for the opening ceremony of Black History Month at STU’s James Dunn Hall.
Throughout the month, the STU African and Caribbean Student Club and the STU Black Students’ Association, alongside Cultural Diversity Coordinator Saa Andrew Gbongbor, are hosting events focused on Black awareness and education.
This year’s Black History Month theme centers on legacy, resilience and the pursuit of excellence.
“Our theme this month is Black legacy—reflecting on the past while also looking at how we can continue to rise in the future,” said Longuma.
Adjusting to life in Canada was not easy for Longuma.
“I’ve personally struggled with mental health, but coming here exacerbated it. I developed more severe anxiety and had a depressive episode last summer,” she said.
Through her experiences, she now sees herself as a mental health advocate.
Finding a Black community at STU played a crucial role in her well-being.
“Due to cultural differences and unfortunately racism, it’s sometimes easier to stick with people who look like you and can relate to you most of the time,” she said.
Connecting with Saa Andrew Gbongbor and the STU Black community was key to her decision to stay at the university.
“Without the Black community, I don’t think I would still be here. They feel like family,” said Longuma.
She emphasized how important it is to have Black staff members on campus.
“Having a Black staff person makes it more comfortable for Black students. He understands the pressure, the financial burdens we carry, racism and microaggressions.”
Longuma believes empathy is an essential “weapon” in combating discrimination.
She described Gbongbor as a trusted mentor, who has become like a parent to many students in the Black community.
“He knows how to take care of us even when our parents are not here,” she said.
Gbongbor, STU’s international student coordinator, reflected on his own journey to Canada as a refugee.
When he first arrived at STU, there were “about six or seven Black students.” Today, that number has grown significantly.
“It’s a huge jump compared to what was happening before,” he said. “It gives us more reason to talk about Blackness, Black contributions, Black success and Black Canada.”
Gbongbor also reflected on the 400-year history of Black people in New Brunswick and noted that this year marks 30 years of Black History Month celebrations in the province.
Sochane Campbell, STUSU vice-president student life, encouraged the community to “work together toward reconciliation and a shared future that honors the legacy of those who came before us.”
Professor Christian Mbarga, acting chair of the department of romance languages and former president of the New Brunswick Black Association, spoke about the importance of legacy, resilience and excellence.
He emphasized that legacy “is not just about what we inherit, but what we carry, protect and create.” Mbarga closed with a powerful message to STU students:
“You do not have to shrink to be accepted. You do not have to abandon your roots to succeed. You do not have to carry everything alone. Your legacy is already powerful. Your resilience is already proven. Your excellence does not require permission,” he said.
“And to allies, institutions and communities in non-Black spaces—the goal is not just for Black communities to survive. It is for all communities to thrive, to imagine freely, to live fully, and to build futures where legacy is honored … not as an exception, but as the norm.”
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