Message from the Dean

Dear DeGroote students, staff, and faculty,

The world today is in many ways very different than ever before and also tragically and disappointingly the same.

In recent days we have been confronted with a number of devastating outcomes of the longstanding systems of racism and oppression that exist in the US, Canada, and around the world. The names and faces are important: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others whose tales never find a platform. We are all complicit in their heartbreaking stories.

As educators, business leaders, community members, and students – the DeGroote School of Business stands firmly on the side of equality and justice.

It’s important to me that we give voice to individuals whose expertise or lived experiences can contribute meaningfully on this topic – people who can help us learn and grow.

Click to see messages from:

The African-Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster University

Mark Mason, CFO, Citigroup

Masai Ujiri, President, Toronto Raptors

Barack Obama

Canadians with Personal Stories about Racism in Canada

Kenneth Frazier, CEO, Merck

5 Canadian Artists Changing the Conversation about Race

McMaster President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community

10 Black Canadians on Life in Canada

Vanmala Subramaniam, Columnist, National Post

Desmond Cole, Journalist

Baratund Thurston, Deconstructing Racism One Headline at a Time

My thoughts this week are not about what we are currently doing to address the harmful discrimination that pervades all corners of our society. For all our efforts, it’s clear that it’s not enough. I’m thinking about what we can do differently and I encourage you to do the same.

Please reach out to my office at deanbus@mcmaster.ca to share your ideas for how we can do better together.