Photography by Nigel Gablan/Marc Alolod
A simple idea third-year political science and public policy student Malika Derrell had last year has become a reality.
With the help of Trademark Licensing at Spaces & Experiences and the Black Student Engagement group at the University of Toronto Scarborough, she developed an apparel line that is now available at the U of T bookstores across all three campuses.
“With this particular collection, I wanted to let students who look like me know that they are represented here,” said Derrell, who is also the student lead on the Black Student Engagement team. “They belong here at this university.”
The collection consists of two T-shirts designed by S&E graphic designer David Cucullo with the quotes, “My Black is beautiful” and “Wherever you are, be great.”
The latter of the two is from Andria Lewis-Alexander, the lead coordinator of the University of Toronto Scarborough Black Student Engagement program – something she says to the students all the time.
“It’s humbling,” she said. “I never thought that something I said to my students impacted them in this way.”
“It’s a reminder of our power and our worth, and what we bring to the table,” said Derrell. “I also wanted to ensure that everyone was able to see a little bit of themselves in that shirt.”
For Lewis-Alexander, she didn’t realize what she said would resonate like this with her students. “For years I said it and never realized I said it, and my mantra to any student that I worked with was that ‘whatever you do and wherever you are be great.’”
“This meant for me that it does not matter what you don’t have, it does not matter where you are, always bring your best, do your best and you will shine. You are great and it is within you, so just “be” great.”
An exclusive shirt design was also made for the students from the Black Student Engagement program who will attend the yearly trip to Howard University, reading “Unapologetically Black at U of T”.
Ivan Canete, Trademark Licensing Manager at Spaces & Experiences, recounted when the bookstore approached him about a special line of T-shirts created out of U of T Scarborough. In the year prior, Canete collaborated with his counterparts at Howard University to make an exclusive crewneck for the BSE group visiting the Washington D.C. campus during Black History Month.
“We saw the 2025 collection as a great opportunity to make it a tri-campus initiative.”
After taking the design back to BSE and it being well-received, it was released across all three bookstores, with designs made for the Black community and allies alike.
Vice President of Retail and Distribution for the U of T Bookstore, Jason Farrell, said that the collection has provided a meaningful platform to showcase important discussions and ideas. “More than just retail spaces, our bookstores serve as gathering places where students, faculty, and the wider community come together to share perspectives and inspire change. We are eager to continue working with student groups and organizations that align with our mission to foster meaningful dialogue and drive positive impact.”
“Collaborating with Trademark Licensing, the U of T Scarborough marketing team, and UT Black Student Engagement program has been an inspiring experience, reaffirming our deep commitment to students and the community,” he added. “We look forward to building on these partnerships and creating more opportunities for engagement, connection, and progress.”
Lewis-Alexander hopes that this celebration will continue at U of T. “I hope that our existence at U of T will be felt positively, and that the pathway to the dream is felt equally by all students, staff, and faculty. Inclusivity is necessary, and black excellence is also part of the U of T legacy.”
“When you wear these shirts, you make a bold statement that we are unapologetically ourselves, we belong in institutions as prestigious as the University of Toronto and beyond, and we carry our greatness with power, and purpose,” said Derrell. “This apparel is more than just clothing; it represents unity, identity, and the strength of Black students on all three campuses.”
The collection is currently available at all three campuses: St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough and online.
