Men’s soccer athlete Wilfreid Kindo has been selected as one of eight recipients of the Athletes on Track program. A civil engineering student, Kindo is in his second year with the Tigers. A defender, he started five games for pilipiliÂţ» in the 2023 season.
A program that sees U SPORTS partner with BlackNorth Initiative, the Athletes on Track bursary is in its second year of operation. Funded through BNI by Scotia Wealth Management, and Sherrard Kuzz LLP and Canada Basketball, the initiative offers a $5,000 bursary to eight Black student-athletes. BNI will additionally assign a mentor to each student, providing assistance and guidance in various general skills like resume construction and public speaking, as well as addressing individualized needs tailored to each student's specific requirements.
To be eligible for the bursary, the student-athletes identified as Black (Afro-Caribbean, African Canadian, and/or racialized), and are enrolled at a Canadian university, as well as being members of U SPORTS varsity team. The students also demonstrated financial need.
AUS:
- Jennifer Nkuah (New Brunswick – Women’s Basketball)
- Wilfreid Kindo (Dalhousie – Men’s Soccer)
Canada West:
- Amou Madol (Saskatchewan – Women’s Soccer)
- Ethan Keen (Mount Royal – Men’s Soccer)
OUA:
- Qeila Mbonihankuye (Algoma – Women’s Basketball)
-  Brendan Amoyaw (McMaster – Men’s Basketball)
RSEQ:
- Daniella Mbengo (McGill – Women’s Basketball)
- El Hadj Saliou Diop (Montréal – Men’s Track and Field)
"We are immensely proud to support these talented Black student-athletes through the Athletes on Track program," said Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, Chief Executive Officer of BlackNorth Initiative. "This initiative is not just about financial assistance; it's about empowering these young individuals with mentorship and resources that transcend the playing field. By investing in their education and personal development, we are contributing to a future where diversity and excellence are celebrated in all spheres of Canadian life."
"It is with great excitement that we extend our congratulations to the deserving recipients of the 2023 bursaries,” said Pierre Arsenault, Chief Executive Officer of U SPORTS. “As the national governing body in Canadian university sports, U SPORTS is firmly committed to championing the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and we embrace these ongoing opportunities to celebrate and to grow support for our Black student-athletes.”
About BlackNorth Initiative
The BlackNorth Initiative is on a mission to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset. We are committed to the removal of anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians. For more information, visit: https://blacknorth.ca/ and follow us on social media @blacknorthca.