[Aerial shot of the University of Guelph campus. Bankole Alade, founder of the Guelph Black Professionals walks along the hallways of Lang. Voiceover of Alade speaking]
Bankole Alade: JC was the first club that I joined at Guelph. The first step of actually joining a student club was that I never thought that I would that I would do ever.
[Alade walking with colleague Mikyas Tessema through the U of G campus and sitting while looking at interviewer]
Alade: It helped me grow a lot as a person and being a club, you realize how important these things really are to maximizing your success at the university. But one of the things that I began to realize is that no Black students would ever attend these events.
[Text on screen reads: In his fourth year, Bank started the Guelph Black Professionals, an organization that helps Black students connect, find mentors, and professional opportunities.]
[Visuals of a videoconference with different Black students coming screen speaking]
…It’s going to be an exciting journey. This is the first time we’re doing it obviously.
…If I could increase my visuals…
…To focus on the report writing aspect…
Tessema sitting at a desk and speaking to camera: I wanted to be a part of an organization that endorsed the networking between Black students and young professionals and as soon as I saw Banky’s post, I thought this was the best place for me to have that team feeling at U of G.
[Alade and Tessema sit at a table chatting. Tessema speaking]
Alade: There was such a big divide and that Black students were missing out and we felt that we could easily take down these barriers that they see and hopefully, get them to capitalize on these amazing opportunities that the university has.
Tessema: The Guelph Black Professionals has shown me how to be a better leader. You’re only as strong as your weakest link. So as long as everyone is involved and actively participating, the whole team will be successful.
[Video closes with the U of G lockup logo]