A talent incubator for Indigenous and Black students is hoping to involve faculty members in its work to develop an academic pipeline.

An initiative of the Office of the Vice President, People, Equity, and Inclusion, the Cube seeks to empower Indigenous and Black students across the University of Windsor by providing them with opportunities and support, unique to their individual academic and career pursuits. Recognizing that Indigenous and Black students have traditionally not received adequate support and lack equitable representation in academic and workspaces, the Cube is geared towards supporting student talent development through workshops, mentorship, networking in fields of interest, and opportunities for financial assistance.

The program will formally launch in September, says director Kemi Anazodo, an assistant professor in the Odette School of Business.

“At this stage, as we build the Cube community, we would like to encourage Indigenous and Black students to self-identify and signup for the Cube and start to get access to upcoming information and resources,” says Dr. Anazodo. “We would also like to recruit members of the wider University community including faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who would like to identify and support Indigenous and Black students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

“We seek to create an environment that nurtures growth and advancement and bridges the gap between academia and careers.”

The Cube aims to enhance the presence of Indigenous and Black scholars’ perspectives in academic literature and faculty representation.

Besides Anazodo, the Cube team includes special advisors Jaimie Kechego, learning specialist for Indigenization in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and Richard Douglass-Chin, professor in the departments of English and Women’s and Gender Studies, as well as an advisory board drawn from community organizations and the University’s faculty, staff, and students.

“Engaged faculty members can join us in our mission to transform the world, one exceptional leader at a time,” says Anazodo. “Together, we can build a stronger community, promote educational opportunities, and drive positive change.”

To learn more, email thecube@uwindsor.ca.