Calgary non-profit partnering with MRU to promote Black mentorship

From left to right: Chi Illiya-Ndule, president, Calgary Black Chambers; Anette Massiah, director of mentorships, Calgary Black Chambers; Dr. Timothy Rahilly, PhD, president and vice-chancellor; and Dr. Moussa Magassa, PhD, associate vice-president, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Not-for-profit organization Calgary Black Chambers (CBC) is partnering with Mount Royal University (MRU) over the next three years to encourage mentorship.

CBC formed in 2019, when a group of Black professionals came together with a plan to increase Black leadership and uplift Black culture.

CBC director of mentorships Annette Massiah describes this collaboration as ‘pivotal.’

“It will expand our ability to support our youth with their educational goals, setting them up for success on their career journey,” said Massiah.

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MRU career services will invest $7,000 into the year-one pilot, shaping the experience and setting the foundation for the final two years.

“We recognize that Black students in higher education face distinct challenges, and we are fully committed to providing them with the resources, tools, and guidance needed to succeed both academically and professionally,” said Vance Koberstein, partner engagement manager with MRU career services.

“By connecting the CBC directly with MRU’s Black mentorship program, we are creating valuable opportunities to match students with mentors from diverse backgrounds.”

Currently, the MRU Black career mentorship program is geared toward third- and fourth-year students looking to build their professional network and gain the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.

“CBC will refer its industry and community professionals to career service’s Black mentorship program, where they will be matched with students to diversify the mentorship network and create meaningful professional connections,” MRU stated in a Tuesday news release.