From my early 20s onwards, the question I was most often asked by strangers was neither related to my career aspirations nor my educational experience, as was common for my peers as we entered the working world. Instead, people wanted to know, “Where are you from?”
While I was one of few minorities among my friends growing up, I was surrounded by family of various colours and race. Both my mother and father immigrated to Canada from Spain and India, respectively. Their circle of friends — strong women, specifically — whom I call family, originated from Peru, the Philippines, South Korea and elsewhere.
With age I became more acutely aware — thanks to what others thought was an innocuous question — that I didn’t “look” Canadian. (To respond, I was born and raised in Canada and I speak both of our official languages, as well as Spanish.)
Today, as the new editor of Concordia University Magazine, I’m immensely proud to see our 220,000 alumni reflect the diversity I’ve grown up believing makes Canada a beautiful place.
Our fall 2020 issue, in particular, features strong leaders of diverse backgrounds. From Annick Maugile Flavien, BSc 13, GrDip 15, MA 18, who co-founded Concordia’s Black Perspectives Initiative, to Yinka Ibukun, BA 07, West Africa bureau chief for Bloomberg News, and Helen Antoniou, new chair of Concordia’s Board of Governors, it’s clear our demographics are changing.
The pandemic, of course, remains a challenge to our ways of living. I am confident that our community will continue to rise to its demands. Our cover story highlights Concordia’s next-gen researchers as they pivot to focus on new ways of thinking, doing and adapting during these times.
I remain optimistic for what’s ahead and look forward to working closely with Ian Harrison, BComm 01, who joins me as associate editor of the magazine, and who co-edited this edition. I take pride knowing we’ll help tell the stories of our extraordinary and diverse community in a way that’s reflective of our changing realities.
Until the next issue, happy reading!
I wish you and your loved ones the very best.
