About

The Racialized and Indigenous Student Experience (RISE) Centre is a student-led centre focused on highlighting the diversity, empowerment, successes, and growth of the many different racialized and Indigenous communities across the globe and in particular here in the University of Ottawa community. An inclusive and intersectional space for students or community members who are driven by a need to speak up against racial and colonial discrimination, systemic oppression, microaggressions, or stereotypes. For anyone in support of or seeking to learn more about Inclusivity, Decolonization, Sustainability, Accessibility, Intersectionality and more.

Services Offered

• A safe space for uOttawa Racialized and Indigenous students.
• Peer-to-peer dialogue, programming, campaigns, resourcing and support.
• Host a series of events and campaigns and create resources throughout the year all designed to celebrate and create spaces for the most marginalized.
• To explore the meaning of multiculturalism and the need to work towards an anti-racist and decolonial framework in our post-secondary institutions.
• Anti-oppressive and judgement-free space to drop in, meet new people, learn and connect.

Black History Month Gala 2026 – Souls of Resilience

The Black History Month Gala has long been a cornerstone event at the University of Ottawa, dedicated to advancing equity, fostering community empowerment, and celebrating the richness and diversity of Black cultures and contributions across campus. More than a single evening, it creates a space for reflection, healing, and recognition, honouring the lived experiences, creativity, and leadership of Black students and community members whose impact continues to shape the university and beyond.

This year marks a powerful evolution. For the first time, the gala is co-hosted in collaboration with the Black Student-Athlete Advocacy Council (BSAAC), the Black Student Leaders Association (BSLA), the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, the University Student Affairs Programming Team, and the Ottawa Gee-Gees. This collective approach reflects a shift toward solidarity — where celebration becomes shared, excellence is amplified rather than compared, and community impact extends far beyond a single night.

‍Guided by RISE’s four pillars — community empowerment and solidarity; healing and resilience; radical anti-racist and anti-colonial education; and intersectional cultural celebration — Souls of Resilience embodies what becomes possible when Black student communities come together to honour their stories, support one another, and build lasting change.

Event Details

The Black History Month Gala 2026 welcomes you to an evening of celebration, reflection, and community. Under the theme Souls of Resilience, the event uplifts the lived experiences, creativity, and leadership of Black students and community members whose influence continues to shape our campus and beyond.

This year marks the first edition of the gala presented in collaboration with the Racialized and Indigenous Student Experience (RISE) Centre — a service of the University of Ottawa Students’ Union — , the Black Student-Athlete Advocacy Council (BSAAC), the Black Student Leaders Association (BSLA),  the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, the University Student Affairs Programming Team, and the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

The program will include the Black Excellence Awards, artistic performances, and powerful storytelling moments highlighting achievements in academics, athletics, leadership, and community engagement.

Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy light refreshments and intentional networking opportunities with students, leaders, and changemakers. All proceeds will directly support scholarships for Black students, contributing to greater access, opportunity, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Honouring strength. Empowering generations.