Black Student Advising Centre

BSAC current offers free tutoring in Bio, Math, Chem, and writing for the fall/winter semesters. No appointment necessary, just drop in:

• Biology: Mondays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Math/Stats: Wednesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Chemistry: Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Writing Centre: Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

The Centre provides support for any student of African descent to help identify goals and pathways through your post-secondary career at Dalhousie University. We assist you in developing skills that will make you successful learners and outstanding individuals. Assistance is available if you're having difficulty navigating academic expectations, financial management, or the complexity of campus life. Resources are available for one-on-one advising and academic encouragement. We can also act as an advocate if you find yourself involved in the campus academic or non-academic discipline processes. 

BSAC can refer you to the following advisors, resources, and other supports on campus:

• PLANS (Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians)
• Imhotep's Legacy Academy
• African Nova Scotian Students - Cohort Advisor (Medical Science) Vanessa Jackson
• Program Advisor African Nova Scotian/African Descent Student Cohort (Nursing) Meaghan Ryan
• Afrocentric Cohort Coordinator (School of Social Work) Bria Symonds
• Student Athlete and Community Relations Advisor, Head of Basketball Operations (Department of Athletics) Anton Berry
• Outreach Officer (Faculty of Dentistry) Jenna Upshaw

• Dalhousie Black Student Society (DBSS)
• Dalhousie African Nova Scotian Society (DANNS)
• Black United Student Association (BUSA)
• Dalhousie African Students Association (DASA)
• Dalhousie Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour Caucus (BIPOCUS)
• Dalhousie Black Law Students’ Society (DBLSA)
• Dalhousie Caribbean Connections
• Dalhousie Black Business Student Association (DBBSA)
• Dalhousie Eritrean and Ethiopian Diaspora Society (DEEDS)

• Dalhousie Black Faculty and Staff Caucus
• Dalhousie Law School Indigenous Black and Mi'kmaq Initiative
• James Robinson Johnston Endowed Chair in Black Canadian Studies
• Imhotep's Legacy Academy (ILA)
• Promoting Leadership In Health For African Nova Scotians (PLANS)

• African Canadian Services Division
• African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes (ADAM)
• African Nova Scotian Affairs
• Black Business Initiative (BBI)
• Black Cultural Centre
• Black Educators Association
• Black History Month Association
• Health Association of African Canadians
• Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers

Students applying to Dalhousie directly from high school can apply for and be considered for hundreds of entrance scholarships and bursaries through one common General Entrance Award application. Applicants will be considered for all of the entrance awards for which they are eligible. There are a number that are applicable for Black/African Nova Scotian students specifically that are awarded through the entrance program:

• The Forsyth Family NS Scholarship: One awarded per year up to $20,000 per year (up to $80,000 total). This award is for Black African Nova Scotian students. Criteria include financial need and extra-curricular activities. 
• First Nations and Indigenous Black Students Entrance Scholarship: 10 awarded per year at $3,000 per year (up to $12,000 total). This award is for students who identify as indigenous Black/African Nova Scotian as well as students who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis from Atlantic Canada. Criteria also considers financial need. 
• The Jeff D. and Martha Edwards Scholarship: One awarded per year at $4500 per year (up to $12,000). Preference is given to Canadian students of Black African descent, and second preference to Black Bermudian students at Dal. Preference is also for students entering a Bachelor of Science. 
• The Richard and Melda Murray Scholarship: One awarded per year at $22,000 (up to $88,000). For Jamaican students entering a Bachelor of Engineering (not specific to Black students).

Once enrolled at Dalhousie, students can apply once per term for the Undergraduate Bursary Program, through which they will be considered for hundreds of awards based on financial need. Applicants will be considered for all of the bursaries for which they are eligible. There are a number that are applicable for Black/African Nova Scotian students specifically that are awarded through the bursary program:

• Rev. J.W.A. Nicholson Bursary (for Black students from NS) 
• Rt. Honourable Robert L Stanfield Bursary (for Black students from NS)
• Sen. Donald Oliver Bursary for Black Atlantic Students (for Black students from the Atlantic Provinces)
• Kostman Family Bursary (For Indigenous or Black students who are graduates of the TYP program) 
• Charles A. Smith Memorial Bursary (for Black students from NS)
• MacCullum S. Grant Charitable Foundation Bursary 
• Computer Science Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Student Bursary
• English Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Student Bursary 
• History Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Student Bursary 
• Advancement Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Student Bursary
• Psychology and Neuroscience Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Student Bursary
• Economics Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Student Bursary 
• Sociology & Social Anthropology Bursary for African NS & Mi’kmaq Students
• Chemistry Bursary for Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Students
• FSPA Music Bursary for Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Students
• FSPA Theatre/Cinema Bursary for Black/African Canadian or Indigenous Students

Additional awards and scholarships include:

• The Mrs. Nora Hickson Kelly Award
• African Nova Scotian Graduate Scholarship (Graduate Studies)
• James Robinson Johnson Chair Black Canadian Studies (Graduate Studies)
• African Canadian Services Division
• Nova Scotia Health Authority Bursary (Health Professions)
• Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute Scholarship Listing
• PLANS Scholarship Resource

The goal of the Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (ILA) is to increase the number of African Nova Scotians pursuing post-secondary education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

• Apply for the Faculty of Engineering scholarship
• Apply for the Faculty of Science scholarship
  
• Apply for the Faculty of Health Professions scholarship
• Apply for the Faculty of Medicine Summer Research Program for non-medical students

• Dr. Carrie Best Scholarship

For other Kings scholarships and bursaries please visit the Admissions website.

Guyleigh Johnson (Black Student Advisor)

Guyleigh Johnson is a published Author, Spoken Word Artist, Community Advocate, Arts Facilitator, and Film Maker from North End Dartmouth. As a proud African Nova Scotian woman, she has a passion for community engagement, diversity, mental wellness and healing. With her creative background and knowledge, she hopes to implement culturally relevant resources and supports within the centre to further encourage students of Black/African descent with a goal of helping them connect, create safe spaces, build community, and push through challenges. Contact guyleighjohnson@dal.ca.

Matthew Thomas (Black Student Advisor)

Matthew is a dedicated community leader, entrepreneur, and mentor with a passion for empowering young people and building community. Hailing from the vibrant African Nova Scotian community of East Preston, he learned the value of service and community from an early age. Matthew holds a BA in Criminology from St. Mary's University and a Master of Divinity from Acadia University. With years of experience connecting with students and young professionals, Matthew hopes to bring, restorative, creative, and fun approaches to advising, helping students navigate challenges and achieve their goals. He is known for his commitment to building authentic relationships and serving as a resource for those he works with. When he's not advising, Matthew can be found on the baseball and football field coaching his son's team, taking long walks with his dog Quincy, or exploring new restaurants around the city.

Contact matthew.thomas@dal.ca or phone (902) 494-2210.