Mallery Fischer is an HBA ’26 candidate and a Communications Intern at Ivey. On February 25, she attended the Black Students at Ivey Collective’s annual Black Culture Celebration at Chrominska Hall. Below, she shares highlights from the event and insights from the student organizers.
The Black Culture Celebration, organized by the Black Students at Ivey Collective (BSIC), brought the Ivey and Western University communities together at Ivey’s Chrominska Hall to celebrate Black culture and creativity. Featuring Trinidadian and Nigerian cuisine, music and entertainment, and a student talent showcase, the annual event created a vibrant space for students to share their culture, talent, and sense of community.
This year marked a meaningful shift for the celebration. For the first time, the event included keynote speakers, highlighting the lived experiences and leadership journeys of Black professionals and alumni. This year’s keynote speakers were Fenton Jagdeo, HBA ’16, Founder and Managing Director of Jagdeo Ventures, and Western University alum Chloe McKenzie, Senior Vice President, People and Culture at Salt XC.
An invitation for togetherness
The Black Culture Celebration aims to create a community of like-minded individuals with shared experiences. More than a social gathering, the event amplified Black voices through cultural expression, self-advocacy, and community-building.
BSIC Co-President Aidan Cowell-Miller said the annual event is integral to fostering a sense of belonging at Ivey.
“With a small but mighty group of Black students, our voices mustn't be just acknowledged but celebrated, and this event does exactly that,” he said.
In addition to Cowell-Miller, the organizing team included HBA students Mayo Olusanya (Co-President), Ben Goring (Vice-President, Events), Tomisin Fadeyi (Vice-President, Communications), Jacob Mitchell (Vice-President, Mentorship), Christa Cupid (Alumni Relations Director), and Aisha Olawoyin (HBA1 Director).
“More than just a celebration, it represents recognition,” said Goring. “It affirms that Black identity, excellence, and culture are valued parts of the Ivey experience. At the same time, it’s an open invitation for the broader community to engage, learn, and build deeper understanding.”
Elevating the stage: Reframing imposter syndrome
By introducing keynote speakers and broadening the program, student leaders positioned the event not only as a cultural celebration but as a platform for professional inspiration and growth.
Olusanya said the hope was that the speakers would add depth and spark meaningful dialogue.
“Last year was great, but we wanted more opportunity for reflection and conversation on Black experiences beyond food and music. This creates space for important conversations,” he said.
One of the most resonant moments came when Jagdeo and McKenzie discussed imposter syndrome and how to reframe it as an opportunity rather than a setback. McKenzie noted that as professionals grow in their careers, imposter syndrome often intensifies – not because they are less capable, but because they become more aware of how much there is still to learn.
“Everyone has imposter syndrome,” Jagdeo said, noting that growth brings awareness and awareness can create doubt.
Rather than viewing imposter syndrome as a weakness, McKenzie encouraged students to reframe it as evidence of progress. Instead of spiralling into uncertainty shaped by systemic stereotypes, she suggested reframing doubt into gratitude: “How grateful am I to be facing challenges like this?”
The executive team said Jagdeo and McKenzie were chosen as this year’s keynote speakers because of their leadership as Black alumni and ability to speak authentically regarding their paths to success, even if the beginning is unclear.
(Photo above) Mayo Olusanya, Chloe McKenzie, and Fenton Jagdeo
Building the foundation of belonging
As BSIC looks to the future, the group hopes to see the celebration grow year over year, with even more demonstrations of Black excellence and expanded opportunities for shared experiences.
Goring said he hopes attendees walk away with both clarity and confidence – clarity about the realities of leadership and the challenges they may face, and confidence in their ability to navigate those challenges successfully.
“More than anything, we hope students leave understanding that representation matters, but influence, preparation, and intentional growth matter even more,” he said. “Our goal is for this event to become not just an annual celebration, but a lasting platform for leadership, community-building, and collective progress at Ivey.”
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