Violet King Engaged Scholar Award

The Violet King Engaged Scholar Award is named after Violet King, Alberta’s and Canada’s first Black woman lawyer. King was an exemplar of an engaged scholar, as an inspired student leader in high school, on campus at the University of Alberta, where she completed a BA in History in 1952 and an LLB in 1953, becoming the first Black person in the province to graduate with a law degree. After articling with the Calgary law firm of Edward J. McCormick, Q.C., King was called to the Alberta Bar on June 2, 1954, becoming the first Black person in Alberta, and the first Black woman in Canada, to become a lawyer.

King was a trailblazer. She was born in Calgary on October 18, 1929 and raised in the Hillhurst-Sunnyside community. As a student leader, she was an exemplar of the academically, socially, and community-engaged scholar in high school, and this continued into her university studies. King’s trailblazing accomplishments and student engagement were widely recognized by Alberta newspapers when she was called to the Alberta Bar. In one editorial, “A Dauntless Young Woman,” The Albertan reported the following:

“History of a constructive kind was made in Calgary last week when Miss Violet King, a young colored woman, was admitted to the bar of this province. Miss King, a native of Calgary, had a brilliant record in the city schools and at the University of Alberta. She has always fitted one hundred percent into social, student and community affairs. She has, in fact, usually been a leader. In choosing a career, she wasn’t daunted by the scarcity of either people of her color or women of any race in the legal profession.

Her admission to the Alberta bar is a tribute to the profession, to her race, to her teachers and professors, to those who have sponsored and assisted her, to her parents—and of course, to herself.” (The Albertan, June 8, 1954).

Jo-Anne Henry

Ms. Jo-Anne Henry is the daughter of Violent King Henry and Godfrey Henry, who were both attorneys and spectacular parents. Ms. Henry is currently the Director of LEAD Strategic Impact at the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C.. Previously she has been in leadership positions in: District of Columbia Public Schools; DC’s Child Welfare system; the state of Georgia’s Child Welfare system; Director of a community-based child abuse prevention strategy called “Community Partnerships for Protecting Children”; and one of the 1st lawyers at an environmental justice pro bono law organization called “Alternatives for Community & Environment” (ACE). 

Ms. Henry received her J.D. degree from University of California, Berkeley’s School of Law; and her M.A. from Georgetown University’s School of Business. She currently resides in Washington DC with her teacher husband and their teen daughter, who wants to be a child psychologist when she gets older. 

Ms. Henry is thrilled with the ways her mother Violet has been and continues to be honoured; how her legacy still inspires; and how Violet’s historic trailblazing has been recognized.

Cheryl Foggo 

Cheryl Foggo is a Calgary-based writer, historian, filmmaker, and playwright, celebrated for her work in uncovering and amplifying the histories of Black Canadians in the West. With a career spanning several decades, she has become a leading voice in sharing stories of Black history, identity, and resilience, particularly focusing on Alberta’s Black pioneers. 

Foggo is the author of Pourin’ Down Rain: A Black Woman Claims Her Place in the Canadian West, a powerful memoir that traces her family’s migration and settlement in Western Canada. Her works span various genres, including screenwriting, journalism, and children’s literature, consistently exploring themes of race, identity, and belonging. 

Her acclaimed 2020 documentary John Ware Reclaimed brought national attention to the life of John Ware, a legendary Black cowboy and rancher in 19th-century Alberta, challenging long-standing myths and shedding light on his achievements and struggles. 

In addition to her literary and film work, Foggo is a dedicated community advocate and has been involved in numerous projects that aim to preserve and promote Black history in Canada. She has been recognized with several awards, including the Governor General's History Award for Popular Media (Pierre Berton Award) for her outstanding contributions to bringing history to wider audiences. 

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Amanda Tamakloe

Amanda is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Digital Engineering.

Throughout her undergraduate journey, she has been involved in different ventures, from research to various extracurricular activities. Since her first year, Amanda has been involved in research into Engineering Pedagogy, most recently looking specifically into Diversity and the experiences of People of Colour in STEM fields in post-secondary institutions across Canada.

Besides this, Amanda has been involved in various extracurricular activities with an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity focus, such as executive roles in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), Uddering Engineers, and the Children's Cottage UCalgary. She recently registered Uddering Engineers, a podcast club, as a Students' Union Club on campus and supported the founding and launch of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) UCalgary Chapter. She previously volunteered with different clubs and offices on campus, including the International Student Services. She also currently serves as the Student’s Legislative Council Speaker of the Students’ Union, a member of the Vehicle Design team of the Hydrogen Ecocar Club, a Scholars’ Academy member, and the Secretary and Senator for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) UCalgary Chapter, amongst others.

Amanda is completing her Engineering Internship at Inter Pipeline Limited, where she serves as the Risk and Reliability Intern. After that, she will return to the University of Calgary for her final year.

Berncie Aladesemipe

A fourth-year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Biological Sciences, Bernice is deeply committed to advancing and celebrating excellence within the Black community. Her passion for this cause is not confined to the university, but extends to the wider community, where she has made a profound impact.

Throughout her undergraduate career, Bernice has been a driving force in elevating the Black community at the University of Calgary. As Vice President of Events and later Co-President of the Nigerian Student’s Association, she and her team launched multiple inaugural initiatives that seamlessly integrated purpose with celebration. Their work, which emphasized community, mentorship, and growth, left a lasting legacy of leadership and resilience, showcasing Bernice's ability to overcome barriers and inspire others.

Currently, Bernice serves as an undergraduate research assistant for the Black Youth Leadership and Mentorship Program, under the guidance of Dr. Oluwabukola Salami and in partnership with the O’Brien Institute for Public Health. In this role, she provides essential supervision and actionable guidance to Black high school students, helping them develop leadership skills, forge community connections, and achieve post-secondary success.

Bernice exemplifies leadership in both her professional and volunteer work, consistently highlighting the role of mentorship in academic and career development. She remains dedicated to using her leadership and mentorship skills to empower and guide future undergraduates in making informed and impactful decisions.

Betalihem Lemma

Betalihem is a passionate advocate, student, and avid trampoline jumper. Her journey began in a refugee camp in Kenya, where she was born and spent several years before immigrating to Calgary at a young age. These early experiences instilled in her a profound passion for providing healthcare to underserved communities.

With an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences, she is now a second-year medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine. Beyond her studies, Betalihem is committed to addressing systemic issues faced by Black individuals. Through her work with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO's Youth Advisory Group, she has contributed to initiatives that amplify the voices of Black Canadians and promote social justice. Her efforts include contributing as an author to the Halifax Declaration for the Eradication of Racial Discrimination with the Michaëlle Jean Foundation and participating in the UN’s Third Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Betalihem is an executive member of the University of Calgary’s Black Medical Students Association, where she collaborates with her classmates to reduce barriers for Black students and increase representation in medicine.

Breanna Fang

Breanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Math and Physics from the University of Alberta and is a current medical student at the University of Calgary. 

Breanna has had various teaching experiences, including being a Math instructor and a Physics teaching assistant. She has also had volunteer experiences ranging from delivering science presentations to tutoring students and working with organizations to increase accessibility to education. Her passions led her to develop a youth theatre program where she taught drama skills and helped youth produce a play, addressing the need for accessible arts education in her community.

Currently, she is a co-chair of the Support to Entry Program (STEP) at the University of Calgary. This student group aims to reduce barriers for students applying to medical school. Her involvement in STEP includes contributing to the inaugural MCAT preparation course as a Physics tutor and starting various initiatives, including an Application Support Panel and Mock MMI events to support students through the application process. 

Breanna is honoured to receive this award and aims to continue her work in teaching and to reduce barriers to education. 

Brittany Bitternose Piyêsîskâw iah-soopinêss ᐱᔦᓰᐢᑳᐤ Day Bird

Brittany is a proud member of George Gordon’s First Nation, Treaty 4. Having spent most of her life in Mohkinstsis, Treaty 7 Territory, she has been fortunate to experience rich cultural diversity and vibrant community spirit. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from the University of Calgary. She is preparing to embark on the next chapter of her academic career at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law.

Brittany has been an active volunteer with the Calgary Youth Justice Committee as a File Chair, conducting meetings with vulnerable youth of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. She works closely with them and their families to guide them toward a more positive path. This experience reinforced her belief in the power of community and restorative justice. As she prepares to enter law school, her passion for helping others and advocating for Indigenous issues remains at the forefront of her ambitions. Brittany is deeply committed to supporting and empowering Indigenous communities with her education and skills. She will strive to address the legal challenges Indigenous communities face and to work towards a more equitable society. This prestigious award is an honour and a testament to her efforts in her academic and community endeavours. She will be committed to honouring the legacy of Violet King as she continues her journey in law school and beyond, always striving to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Grace Kabengele 

Grace Kabengele, an upcoming 3L and first-generation law student of Congolese descent at the University of Calgary, is deeply committed to enhancing the student experience within her school and to bettering access to justice. This commitment has been a consistent thread throughout her academic journey, as she has actively engaged in community building, advocacy, and inclusivity efforts. 

Having completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Law and Society, Grace received recognition for her contributions to the Department of Sociology with the Undergraduate Special Recognition Award. She has actively promoted equity, diversity, and inclusion within academic and organizational settings, notably participating in the Equity and Inclusive Leadership (EIL) program and as a Student African Studies Program Administrator. Her contributions extend to expanding EDI's strategic planning and policy development, engagement in event planning and promotion, and advocating for marginalized communities’ access to justice and education through her involvement with the Pro-Bono Students Association and Student Legal Assistance. 

In addition to her academic pursuits, Grace has held leadership positions such as Vice-President Marketing for the University of Calgary's Society of Law Students, Executive Marketing Assistant for the Black Law Students’ Association and as a Western representative, and executive member-at-large for the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada. These roles have allowed her to develop and implement effective marketing strategies, promote events, and support initiatives to foster a more inclusive environment. 

Grace's diverse interests, such as engaging in visual arts, particularly mural painting, and participating in recreational activities like rollerblading and tennis, reflect her commitment to holistic personal growth and making impactful contributions to her community. These activities not only provide her with a well-rounded perspective but also serve as a source of inspiration for her academic and professional endeavors.