Dr. Camisha Sibblis, director of the Black Scholars Institute, speaking at the official launch of the Insititute on Sept. 26, 2024.
By Sarah Sacheli
Community. Belonging. Support.
Dr. Festus Moasun says he has found all that and more at the Black Scholars Institute at the University of Windsor.
“The research element of BSI cannot be over emphasized,” he says. “But to go into a meeting and have a number of people who are like me, whose journey is similar to mine, that is so important.”
The Black Scholars Institute is celebrating its first anniversary. At its official launch in September 2024, the campus and extended community met the 13 new faculty members who joined campus as part of UWindsor’s Black Scholars Hiring Initiative. Today, more than two dozen faculty members are affiliated with the institute, bringing together academics from diverse disciplines.
Dr. Moasun’s sentiment is affirming for BSI director Dr. Camisha Sibblis. She can offer a long list of events the institute has hosted in its inaugural year— and an even longer list of initiatives planned for the future— but creating “space” for Black academics has been foremost.
“This first year has only solidified for me why a space like this is so essential. For too long, Black scholars have navigated academia feeling isolated, facing unique barriers, and often having our work overlooked or undervalued,” she says.
“The BSI is more than just a centre; it's a community, a refuge, and a platform. It's a place where Black voices are amplified, where our contributions are celebrated, and where we can support each other in thriving within— and challenging— the existing academic landscape. Building this community of care is paramount in creating an environment that fosters groundbreaking work.”
Official launch of the Black Scholars Institute on Sept. 26, 2024.
In keeping with its research mandate, BSI has created a health research grant in partnership with WE-Spark Health Institute and has awarded four seed grants for research focusing on Black populations. It offers weekly programming: Think Tank Thursdays where faculty and students meet to exchange Ideas; Just Write sessions for interruption-free quiet time to work on projects; and Coffee and Convo where, in collaboration with Leddy Library, people come together to discuss Black literature. There are workshops, writing retreats, and speaker events. Moasun said a highlight for him has been mentorship sessions, where younger academics like himself can glean advice from senior faculty members.
The BSI’s reach extends beyond campus. It’s a partner in the Windsor International Black Film Festival and will host the 2026 African Diaspora Youth Conference. It is establishing international research partnerships and collaborations with universities in the United States, Africa, the West Indies, and Brazil.
Youth outreach is especially important, Sibblis says. Sibblis sits on the Greater Essex County District School Board’s Black Student Advisory Council, and in 2026, BSI will extend their partnership with the Board to co-host the Black Joy Black Excellence Student Symposium for local high school students.
“We’re helping to establish a pipeline of success for Black students that bridges gaps, addresses inequities, and creates pathways for future academic and community leaders,” Sibblis says.
Other plans for the upcoming year include hosting a symposium, launching a journal, and offering more support to students through an experiential learning fund, internships, and placements.