Page 5 - DURHAM CITIZEN - AUGUST 4TH 2021

August 4, 2021 durhamcitizen.ca 5

A group of U of T students pushed for an MBA

scholarship for Black students - and succeeded

When Bilal Habib looked around executive positions. He says that was so happy."
his cohort at the University of starts all the way back in the 'Future leaders' need to be
Toronto's Rotman School of classroom. seen in classroom: professor
Management, he saw some "When you think about the lack of Nouman Ashraf, an associate
disparities. Black students, the representation professor at U of T and director of
The killing of George Floyd by a at this level of education, you start diversity and inclusion initiatives
Minneapolis police officer last year to see the impact of that going at Rotman, told CBC News, a lack
prompted him to take a closer look further down the line," Molokwu of representation "says something"
at the make-up of the students in said. "The higher education that to students.
his program — and what he found you have, the higher you can "If we don't see future leaders in our
wasn't promising. "There weren't a pursue a career, right?" classroom, we're saying that
lot of Black students in the Initiative earns shout out leadership only comes in one
program," Habib said he noticed. from R&B singer Montell particular form... And we need to
Currently, Black students make up Jordan. address that. We need to challenge
less than 2.5 per cent of Rotman's
The initiative has gained some that and we need to change that."
Morning and Evening MBA "The old adage about 'You can't be
Bilal Habib (left) and Nonso Molokwu are part of the student-led initiative attention in recent weeks, perhaps
program — a three-year, part-time to start a scholarship for Black students after seeing a lack of diversity the most notable of which was a what you can't see' applies to all of
program that offers classes early in their own program. (Submitted by Bilal Habib) shout out from Montell Jordan, an us," said Ashraf.
and late in the day so that students American R&B singer best known While the initiative is led by
can work during the middle. The setting up a better future for come in and then don't see the for his 1995 single This Is How We students, donations will be
program is an alternate to the generations to come. representation, don't see people Do It. collected directly by the university.
school's two-year full-time MBA The initiative was pushed forward that look like you in class," he told In a video, Jordan applauded the All proceeds will go toward
program. by a group of students that aimed CBC Radio's Metro Morning on students that pushed for the providing financial support for
Habib, along with a group of to lower barriers for Black Wednesday. "That was kind of scholarship, even going so far as to Black students applying to the
Rotman students, decided to try to students, the most significant of disappointing and a letdown and is sing a portion of his hit song in morning and evening MBA
change that — and successfully which is the financial cost of higher really one of the reasons why we praise. program.
convinced the university to set up a education. From left to right, Ehi started this.” "I am proud of you," Jordan said in a Along with the rest of the student
scholarship for Black students. Agbonlahor, Brett Chmiel, Samah The scholarship is meant to lower video Habib shared on Twitter. "We group, Molokwu hopes the
"The overall goal is to remove the Chowdhury, Onyeka Elele, Bilal barriers, the most significant of need more Black leaders. And scholarship can help as many
financial barriers for students in Habib, Nonso Molokwu, Jathiban which is the cost of higher initiatives like this one are super people as possible and lead to more
the Black community, so that doing (Jay) Panchalingam and Priya education. refreshing to see. I'm thankful for diversity in his program.
an MBA is a viable option for Puthankar. (Submitted by Bilal "It's definitely a huge financial you. I'm grateful for you. I am "What success looks like right
them," he said. Habib) commitment to pursue an MBA extremely proud of the program now? I couldn't really tell you. But I
Nonso Molokwu is also part of the program. And this definitely deters because 'This is how we do it.'" think what we're looking for is just
Lack of representation group spearheading this initiative. people from wanting to go forward "It was really heartwarming," representation," he said.
'a letdown’ Born in Nigeria, he's one of the with that," Molokwu said. Habib said, adding that the “What we want to see is walking
The hope is that the proceeds will handful of Black students in his On top of that, Molokwu said there message boosted morale for the outside in Toronto. We want to see
help break the cycle of Black class. is barely any representation in group. "I reached out to Montell the same thing walking on campus
students being ousted from higher "There's a certain level of corporate boardrooms and a lack of and I told him what we were doing, at the University of Toronto.”
education due to systemic barriers, disappointment when you finally Black individuals in senior and he was so excited to do it. He -CBC News

Pickering plans to make four Pick ering park ing fine hik es:
Pickering parking fine hikes:
Pickering parking fine hikes:
playgrounds fully accessible Here's what you need to know
at you need to kno
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Pickering council plans to make
four parks fully accessible, and After nearly two decades of handing out the same parking fines in
approved the funds to show its the City of Pickering, council has decided to increase them.
commitment at a special council A staff report says the ongoing parking issues in the waterfront
meeting. areas of Pickering have been amplified as more people flock there
At the Monday, July 26 meeting, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggests a number of fines
councillors gave pre-budget be increased.
approval in the amount of The city’s traffic and parking bylaw was enacted in 2005 and with
$1,451,264 as a total net project cost the exception of increased fines for illegally parking in accessible
to upgrade four existing city spaces, the set fine amounts for parking violations have stayed
playgrounds in south Pickering. the same.
The upgrades will help the parks Council approved the new fines at the Monday, July 26 special
meet compliance with the council meeting.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Here are some examples of the set fine increases
D i s a b i l i t i e s A c t ( A O D A ) • Being parked and being stopped in a prohibitive area: from $38
standards. to $75.
The parks and projected costs are: The grant requires that the funding s a f e t y s u r f a c i n g a n d p l ay • Being stopped while snow clearing is underway: from $38 to $90.
Progress Frenchman’s Bay East request show confirmed cash equipment that is fully compliant • Being parked within three metres of a fire hydrant: from $38 to
Park — playground upgrades: contributions from other sources with the AODA. Ramping will be $60.
$105,400 of at least 35 per cent of the total provided to elevated structures to • Being parked in excess of three hours: from $38 to $50.
St. Mary Park — Playground project cost — hence Pickering's help children with significant • Parked vehicle in a fire route: from $75 to $150.
reconstruction: $313,140 pre-budget approval. The city mobility challenges access the • Illegally parking in an accessible space will go from $300 to $500.
Forestbrook Park — playground hopes the grant will fund $943,322 equipment. Reduced early payment options will still be available
reconstruction: $330,670 of the project, and the parkland The existing play equipment at How the new fines were set
Southcott Park — playground reserve fund will cover the rest. Progress Frenchman’s Bay East The fine increases are based on a comparison of parking fines
reconstruction: $439,260 Council received correspondence Park, which is already accessible by charged by other municipalities.
The plans came before council from Pickering-Uxbridge MP ramps, was inspected and found to How the current fees compare to Ajax
around one month after a Jennifer O'Connell in June, be in compliance with AODA For overnight parking, no parking and no stopping, Pickering
Pickering resident and supporters encouraging the city to apply for standards; however, proper access fines violators $38, compared to Ajax fining $60. Pickering
p e t i t i o n e d t h e c i t y f o r the funding. to the ground level is required to charges $75 for parking in a fire route, compared to Ajax which
improvements to its accessible O t h e r t h a n f o r P r o g r e s s achieve full accessibility to the play charges $100. Pickering currently charges $300 for parking in an
playgrounds. Frenchman’s Bay East Park, the structure. Proper ramping down accessible space, and Ajax charges $500.
Staff are applying for the Enabling proposal is to fully reconstruct the into the playground area, new When asked at the meeting if Pickering will charge out-of-town
Accessibility Fund (EAF) to help existing playgrounds, providing rubber safety surfacing and some visitors for parking by the lake like the Town of Ajax recently
pay for the retrofits. This federal new flush concrete edging, additional ground level play started doing, director of corporate services and city solicitor Paul
grant provides up to $1 million accessible walkways where equipment is being proposed. Bigioni said staff are looking into the possibility.
towards accessible project required, site furniture, safety The city plans to consult the public “We are looking at best practices elsewhere as well,” he said.
activities to improve accessibility. railings and/or fencing, rubber when plans move forward.