In partnership with the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, the University of Waterloo Archives (UWA) conducted a series of interviews to capture the voices of Black students, faculty and staff connected to the University of Waterloo. The goal for the Black Oral Histories project was to preserve histories in a way that is familiar to Black identity and Blackness as the African diaspora has a deeply embedded oral history culture.

Interviewees were selected by members of an advisory committee that was struck to ensure the project captured a cross-selection of individuals from the Waterloo community. Working with Jermal Jones, Associate Director, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access, Library, six people were interviewed.

The interviewees include:

• 1. Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae, artist, poet, and associate professor in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Waterloo

• 2. Darrell Adams, Head Coach for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and formerly the Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Waterloo men's football team

• 3. Lannois Carroll-Woolery, Manager of Data Analytics & Reporting for the Department of Institutional Analysis & Planning at the University of Waterloo, and current President of the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR)

• 4. Dr. Murchison Callender, Professor Emeritus, School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo

• 5. Samantha Lange, student studying physics in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo

• 6. Dr. Vershawn Young, an artist, actor, diversity consultant and joint appointed professor in Communications Arts and English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo where he has been the director of Waterloo's Black Studies program since its launch in 2022

The collection contains the audio recordings and transcripts for each of the interviews.

The University of Waterloo Archives (UWA) conducted an oral history pilot project in 2022 to actively document the University’s history through the lived experiences of staff, faculty, and students. This project took place to ensure that the perspectives of the interviewees are incorporated into the archival memory.

Interviewees were selected by members of an advisory committee that was struck to ensure the project captured a cross-selection of individuals from the Waterloo community. Working with historian Dr. Anne Millar, several staff, faculty, and students were interviewed.

The interviewees include:

• Aaron Francis, PhD candidate, Balsillie School of International Affairs

• Professor Anita Layton, Canada 150 Chair in Mathematical Biology and Medicine

• Brandon Sweet, Associate Director, Internal and Leadership Communications, University Relations

• Camille Huo, student, School of Pharmacy

• Professor Don Cowan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Cheriton School of Computer Science

• Jacky Beckford-Henriques, Swimming Head Coach, Athletics

• Jennifer Shousterman, Executive Assistant, Office of the President

• Judi Jewinski, retired Administrative Dean, Renison University College

The interviews include discussions about the interviewees family background, their decision to come to Waterloo and the path that brought them there, as well as their thoughts about the institution and where it will be at 100 years old, in 2057.