The Queen’s Black Academic Society (QBAS) is rolling out a new annual scholarship for Black students.
Coined the “Chabikuli-Linton Unity & Excellence Scholarship,” the name pays homage to QBAS’s current co-presidents Ismael Linton and Kiana Chabikuli, both ArtSci ’27. The club announced their new $1,000 scholarship on Feb. 6, noting it will be awarded to one self-identifying Black undergraduate student at Queen’s who demonstrates strong leadership.
In an interview with The Journal, the co-presidents said the scholarship was shaped by their own experiences navigating Queen’s as Black students.
“Coming to the University, one thing that we realized is that oftentimes it’s Black students, or students of color, that bear the burden of creating those spaces that are welcoming for Black students,” Linton said. “Obviously, Queen’s University is a primarily white institution, and so coming in, there are a lot of barriers that students have to face. I mean, we did too in our first year.”
Both credit former QBAS leaders for helping them find a sense of community. The scholarship, they said, is intended to recognize students who take on similar work—often without formal recognition.
“Us creating this award wasn’t necessarily a critique of the awards that already exist,” Chabikuli said, referencing the Robert Sutherland Prize. “[It’s] adding on to what has already been put in place that fits broader categories.”
He added that many Black students contribute in ways that don’t always align with traditional award criteria, noting the Robert Sutherland Prize focuses specifically on advancing anti-racism and anti-oppression work at Queen’s.
Chabikuli said there are also students making meaningful contributions through photography, coding, or launching their own nonprofits. The new scholarship, he explained, is intended to recognize those unique skill sets and broader records of achievement that may otherwise go unrecognized.
Overall, the scholarship places emphasis on “impact over intent,” a phrase Chabikuli said guided its development.
“A lot of people can join clubs and obtain a title,” he said. “But it’s really what you’re doing with that role.”
Funding for the scholarship is tied in part to QBAS’s successful referendum campaign, which increased the club’s fee from $0.50 to $1.10. However, according to Linton, the primary goal of the referendum was to expand free programming.
“It’s one thing to create these events and have it available, but it’s another thing to make it free and make sure that students are able to attend no matter their financial concerns.”
To minimize bias in the selection process, QBAS has established a committee that includes students, staff, faculty, and an administrator. In addition to the current co-presidents, the selection panel will include the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator at the Yellow House, Tianna Edwards, Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) Stephanie Simpson, and Professor Joseph Kangmennaang from the Black Studies department.
QBAS executive members are ineligible for the award, and committee members are expected to recuse themselves in cases of conflict of interest.
The recipient will be announced in April, with a formal recognition ceremony planned for the annual Black Welcome—an annual event aimed at connecting Black students over cultural food and music—which will take place at the beginning of the next academic year.
Looking ahead, both co-presidents said they hope the scholarship continues to build momentum and support future generations of Black students.
“In a couple of years, I would love to see the various winners of this award serving to grow and flourish the Black population at Queen’s,” Linton said. “I want people to know that Queen’s is a space to go if you’re Black and want to succeed.”
Nominations for the award have been open since its announcement on Feb. 6 and close on March 6 at 11:59 p.m.
Tags
black history month, Black scholarship, QBAS
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