A month of learning, celebration & community
This February, the TWU community came together across both the Langley and Richmond campuses to honour Black History Month through learning, worship, storytelling, sports, and artistic expression. The month-long program offered students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of the University meaningful opportunities to reflect on the depth of Black history and to celebrate the vibrancy of Black culture.
What unfolded was a rich tapestry of praise, creativity, movement, and community connection—each event contributing to a shared experience of growth and joy.
A powerful opening in praise & worship
The official opening celebration brought energy and joy to the David E. Enarson Gymnasium as the BHM Praise Team led the TWU community in vibrant worship. TWU Executive Vice President and CFO Aklilu Mulat delivered an opening address on behalf of the Office of the President, setting the tone for the month with a message that affirmed the importance of honouring Black history as a community rooted in Christ-centred diversity and belonging.
He ended his message with a biblical and empowering charge to everyone, saying, “Black History Month invites us to three Ls: listen, learn, love. Listen carefully, learn more humbly, and love more intentionally. . . . So Black History Month is an invitation to see Christ more clearly in one another, to deepen our understanding of God's global church, and to reflect Christ more faithfully in our shared life at Trinity Western University. When we honour the whole story, we honour God who is writing that story.”
The service blended music, praise, and spiritual reflection, capturing the spirit of celebration that would echo throughout the month.
Worship, fellowship & thoughtful reflection
Worship remained a central thread throughout Black History Month. Sunday Night Alive brought together the BHM Praise Team and the Chapel Praise Team for a collaborative evening of praise. The Atrium at the Kuhn Centre became a space of joyful worship as students sang, danced, and celebrated in unity.
Later in the month, the TWU community gathered for a special chapel service featuring guest speaker Troy Lydiate, creative director at Apologetics Canada, with worship led by the BHM Choir Team. Lydiate offered a thoughtful and engaging message that invited students to reflect deeply on faith, culture, and the ways Christian belief speaks meaningfully into lived experience. The chapel was marked by a moving time of worship and attentive listening, creating space for spiritual reflection within the broader celebration of Black History Month.
Creative expression across campuses
This spirit of creativity continued at the Richmond Fiesta, hosted at the Lansdowne campus site. This lively evening featured music, poetry, art displays, and an African dance masterclass. Guest speaker Victoria Eli Kugbe offered an inspiring talk titled “Africa to Canada: exuding Afro-positivity in a multicultural society,” encouraging attendees to consider how Afro-positive identity can flourish in Canada’s cultural landscape. The Fiesta stood out as a celebration rich with colour, culture, and community engagement.
Athletics as celebration & community building
Sports played a vibrant role in the month’s programming, bringing students and staff together around friendly competition and school spirit.
The three-on-three basketball night drew a crowd to the gym as student teams battled it out on the court, energizing the stands with excitement and cheers. Soon after, students took on faculty and staff in a lively five-on-five soccer match—another chance for the community to gather, support one another, and enjoy the energy that athletics brings to campus life.
Empowering voices & closing celebrations
In the Global Lounge at the Kuhn Centre, the Dinner and Panel Session created space for meaningful conversation, accompanied by Afro-Caribbean music and food. Shaka Fonderson’s keynote encouraged individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, to reclaim agency, rethink limiting mindsets, and boldly pursue new opportunities. His message resonated with attendees and served as a fitting lead-in to the month’s final celebration.
The concluding celebration filled the atrium with music and praise, featuring musical artist Dieko Obi, his team, and performances from TWU students. It was a joyful, communal conclusion to a month shaped by learning, worship, and togetherness.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. TWU has its main campus in Langley, B.C. and campus sites in Richmond, B.C. and Ottawa, Ont.
Learn more at twu.ca or follow @TrinityWestern on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact media@twu.ca.