For Black History Month, patient partners, community actors, academics, and clinicians gathered at The Institute to address racism

SOURCE: The Institute
March 4, 2025

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the invaluable contributions of Black communities to society and to address the systemic inequities that persist in many fields —including research and healthcare. In recognition of this month of reflection, resilience, and celebration, the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) hosted a special event on February 21, 2025, bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, students, and community members for a day of discussion and reflection on equity in research and healthcare.

Organized by The Institute’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Office, in collaboration with the Social Accountability and Community Engagement (SACE) Office of McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Black Community Resource Centre (BCRC), the event fostered meaningful dialogue on dismantling barriers and building a more inclusive research landscape.

Addressing Systemic Barriers in Research

The event opened with remarks from Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer at The Institute. “Equity is in our DNA—making research more equitable is at the core of what we do,” said Dr. Touyz. She commended the organizing teams for creating a thoughtful and engaging space to celebrate Black History Month while tackling critical issues in research.

Community leader Yvonne Sam then delivered a powerful call to action: “Behind the scenes, there is no real change. I encourage you all to engage deeply, change assumptions, and build an ethical and just research landscape. We can do it—today is the beginning of that road.”

Unpacking the legacy of racial injustices in research

The keynote address was delivered by Bukola Salami, RN, MN, PhD, Canada Research Chair Tier 1 in Black and Racialized Peoples' Health and Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. Prof. Salami provided a historical overview of research injustices affecting Black communities, underscoring their lasting impact on trust in healthcare and scientific institutions. She reminded the audience of the harm caused by unethical medical experiments, from early gynecological procedures performed on Black women without anesthesia to the lack of informed consent by parents of Black children in early polio vaccine trials. She emphasized how these historical violations have contributed to deep-rooted mistrust while also underscoring the urgent need for intentional, ethical and community centred research practices today.

Prof. Salami encouraged a strengths-based approach to research that prioritizes community partnership and long-term engagement. She challenged attendees to critically assess their work:

• Who benefits from this research?
• How are Black voices integrated into study design?
• Are Black trainees being mentored and supported?

She emphasized the importance of culturally responsive outreach, addressing language barriers, and, most critically, ensuring that Black communities are valued as equal partners in research, not just participants.

Reflecting on Henrietta Lacks’ Legacy

Following Prof. Salami’s presentation, attendees watched The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a poignant film recounting the story of a Black woman whose cells were taken without her consent in the 1950s United States. These cells, known as HeLa cells, went on to revolutionize medical research, but her family was never informed or given a voice in decisions about their use. The film served as a compelling reminder of the ethical responsibility to obtain informed consent and engage research participants with dignity and respect.

The screening set the stage for a thought-provoking panel discussion on medical consent and systemic inequities in research. The panel featured a diverse group of experts—including academics, patient advocates, and community leaders—who shared their perspectives on health equity and social justice, including:

• Bélinda Bah, PhD – Director of the Observatoire des communautés noires du Québec
• Sylvain Beaudry – Outreach worker in Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI) at Tiohtià:ke Indigenous Health Centre with 18 years in HIV prevention, research, and community support
• John Davids – PhD candidate in Experimental Psychology, McGill University, researching belonging and political engagement among minority populations.
• Eduardo Franco, DrPH, James McGill Professor, Departments of Oncology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University
• Pascaline Kegne Talla, PhD – Assistant Professor, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University
• Édouard Kouassi, PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal
• Audrey Sika Mvibudulu – Master’s student in Educational Leadership at McGill, with a background in teaching, EDI outreach, and community advocacy.
• Diane States – Patient advocate dedicated to disability rights, co-chair of the Lethbridge Leighton Mackay Rehabilitation Centre Users Committee, and involved in various patient advisory roles at the McGill University Health Centre.

Prof. Kouassi opened the discussion with legal insights, emphasizing that medical consent does not automatically extend to research: “When patients arrive in critical situations, they consent to care—not to the use of their biological material for research.” Diane States underscored the gap between legal frameworks and lived experiences, highlighting how systemic inequities persist, even in the presence of formal protections: “There is a law, but in reality, when you’re Black or Indigenous, the rules don’t always apply the same way.”

Challenging Racism in Academia

The conversation expanded to examine systemic racism within academic institutions and the barriers faced by Black scholars. Audrey Sika shared her personal experience of navigating academia as a Black researcher, describing the challenges of being perceived as a “diversity hire” rather than being recognized for her expertise: “People dismissed me as just a ‘DEI hire… Eventually, I left—I didn’t want to keep fighting for recognition.”

John Davids stressed that addressing racism requires more than just acknowledging its existence – it demands open, often uncomfortable conversations: “A lot of people talk about it and face retaliation from the media and politics. Discussing racism is not passive—it needs to be emphasized, even though it’s uncomfortable.”

An audience member echoed this sentiment, reflecting on their own experiences of racism in research over the past decade: “Talking about racism and barriers is uncomfortable, but it’s necessary. Otherwise, people remain unaware, and those who experience discrimination feel alone.”

Eduardo Franco emphasized that concrete actions are essential for systemic change. He pointed to initiatives such as increasing Black scholars’ representation on journal editorial boards to ensure that academic publishing reflects a diversity of voices and perspectives.

Driving Institutional Change

As the event concluded, panelists and participants emphasized the need for concrete institutional reforms to advance equity in research. Key recommendations included:

• Broadening diversity within ethics committees to ensure research is patient-centered and culturally responsive
• Expanding mentorship opportunities to support and retain Black researchers
• Increasing Black representation in leadership roles, including on journal editorial boards
• Addressing biases in funding decisions and recognizing diverse academic pathways
• Establishing Black-led academic spaces to foster community and innovation

A participant underscored the urgency of moving from awareness to action: “Black History Month should not just be about repeating the same problems—we need to talk about solutions and celebrate progress.”

The event acknowledged systemic inequities while serving as an inspiring call to action. Whether attending in person or online, participants left with a renewed commitment to fostering anti-racist research environments—ensuring that Black voices are not only heard, but valued and empowered.

Related news

Panel: Briser les barrières, bâtir des ponts / Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges (YouTube)

Webinar: Pratiques antiracistes en laboratoires/ Anti-Racist Practices in Research Labs (YouTube)

"We will no longer take it": The need for transparency and informed consent in research (CityNews Montreal)

An opportunity to learn, celebrate and connect during Black History Month at the RI-MUHC (2024)

Eight RI-MUHC trainees earn 2024 EDI award for academic excellence