Two Winnipeg students are the first recipients under Defence Construction Canada’s (DCC) new bursary and mentorship program designed to empower the next generation of Black professionals.
Olaoluwa Omolewa, a second-year Bachelor of Science in Engineering student at the University of Manitoba, and Justice Wormenor, a Grade 12 student at École secondaire Sisler High School in Winnipeg, who plans to study Engineering, will each receive a $2,500 bursary, renewable for up to four years, along with access to mentorship opportunities through the BlackNorth Initiative and DCC.
The Defence Construction Canada and BlackNorth Initiative Bursary and Mentorship Program aims to support Black students pursuing careers in engineering, architecture, or finance through financial assistance and career-building mentorship.
“I find it interesting that I can build things,” says Olaoluwa, reflecting on his choice to go into engineering. “The BlackNorth Bursary can help me focus on my studies and not have to think about money-related things. It is also an amazing opportunity to be a mentor to other people.”
For Justice, the bursary will provide opportunities to develop leadership skills that he can apply both in his future career and on the soccer field. “Leadership to me looks less like being the boss and more like being a team manager and good communicator.” As an engineer, he hopes to be able to give back and “have a meaningful impact on the world.”
Learn more about these recipients in two short videos: