A group picture of some African/Black students with the Founder of Loy Excellentia Initiative during the 2025 Black History Month Celebration.
Brandon, MB – The Loy Excellentia Initiative successfully hosted its second annual Black History Month Celebration at Brandon University, bringing together many African and Black students, faculty, and community leaders to honor Black legacy and leadership. The event, themed “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations,” emphasized the importance of mentorship, empowerment, and collective excellence in developing future leaders.
An Inspiring and Impactful Gathering
The celebration commenced with a land acknowledgment led by Dr. David Docherty, President of Brandon University, followed by an opening prayer from Dr. Aloy Anyichie, Founder of Loy Excellentia Initiative and Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Student Services at BU. In his welcome address, Dr. Anyichie underscored the importance of celebrating Black history while actively shaping the future through leadership, mentorship, and empowerment.
“Black History Month is not just about remembering our past; it is about recognizing our responsibility to uplift the next generation. Our history is still being written, and we are all authors of the next chapter,” said Dr. Anyichie.
The event attracted distinguished guests from Brandon University (BU), Assiniboine College (AC) and Brandon community.
Left to right: Bankole Abejide (founder of Abramson Taxi), Dr. Alysha Farrel (Dean, Faculty of education, BU), Dr. Kofi Campbell (Provost, & Vice President – Academics, BU), Dr. Aloy Anyichie (Founder, Loy Excellentia Initiative, Associate Professor, BU), Sunday Franji (first black Councillor in Brandon), Dr. Onyinye Ijeomah (Instructor, AC), and Jeff Fawcett (Mayor of Brandon).
Keynote Address: “Be the Future Leader You Need Right Now”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kofi Campbell, the provost of Brandon University and Vice President (Academic) who shared a powerful message on Black leadership and representation in higher education and beyond. He highlighted the importance of mentorship, resilience, and taking active steps toward leadership in every sphere.
“You are the next generation of Black leaders. Leadership begins now. The best leaders want to be leaders for a reason—find your reason and pursue it relentlessly. And always, always mentor the heck out of those coming after you,” said Dr. Kofi Campbell.
Dr. Campbell shared his own journey of breaking barriers in academia and the importance of creating mentorship networks to support the rise of Black professionals. He challenged students to seek out leadership opportunities, engage with their community, and become the leaders they wished they had.
A Day of Learning, Networking, and Celebration
The program featured a range of interactive sessions, including:
- Sharing of Experiences: Students engaged in focused discussions about their in-class experiences, and they need to excel in their learning, and fun board games to foster community building.
- Mentorship & Empowerment Session: Featuring speed networking with professionals, personal development discussions, and speeches from guest mentors.
- African-Inspired Lunch & Networking: Attendees enjoyed a delicious selection of African cuisine while building meaningful connections with peers and professionals.
- Social Hour & Prize Awards: Participants who won different prices such as door prize, jeopardy, bingo activities were gifted while celebrating the volunteers for their invaluable contributions. The hour was filled with music, dance, and student speeches reflecting on the impact of the event.
Building a Legacy of Leadership and Mentorship
Reflecting on the journey of Loy Excellentia Initiative, Dr. Anyichie shared how the organization has:
- Launched a mentorship program connecting students with professionals across Canada.
- Hosted leadership workshops empowering Black students with career and personal development skills.
- Organized networking events, including a summer picnic for African/Black students in Brandon.
- Advocated for student needs at community and institutional levels, leading to greater awareness of international student challenges.
He called for institutional support to further research on Black student experiences in Canada, advocating for funding to develop tailored resources for student success.
Call to Action: Get Involved & Shape the Future!
In his closing remarks, Dr. Anyichie urged students to take action:
- Volunteer with Loy Excellentia to gain leadership experience, build skills, and expand their professional networks.
- Sign up as a mentor or mentee to benefit from guidance and career support.
- Engage on social media by following @LoyExcellentia on all platforms.
- Become a student ambassador and represent Loy Excellentia at their institutions.
Social Media & Website:
Facebook: @LoyExcellentia
Twitter: @LoyExcellentia
Instagram: @LoyExcellentia
LinkedIn: Loy Excellentia Initiative
YouTube: Subscribe & Watch
Website: www.loyexcellentia.org
A Powerful Closing & Celebration of Community
The event concluded with heartfelt appreciation from students represented by Chinyere Odu, followed by a vote of thanks by Dr. Onyinye Ijeomah. Attendees left inspired, empowered, and ready to take an active role in shaping the future of Black leadership in Canada.
“Loy Excellentia is more than an initiative—it’s a movement for mentorship, empowerment, and excellence.”
Loy Excellentia – Mentorship. Empowerment. Excellence.
For media inquiries and partnership opportunities, contact:
📩 contact@loyexcellentia.org