Delores Mullings talks to Herstory host Nicole Obiodiaka.

The University should be a place of inclusion. Delores Mullings is working on this and has accepted a new position as Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at MUN (Memorial University of Newfoundland) in August 2022. She brings to the position decades of experience in human rights and a particular focus on anti-Black racism.

She is charged with leading change on the University’s campuses to make them places where everyone feels accepted and can thrive, regardless of who they are, their race or sexual orientation.

In the fourth episode of Herstory: Inspiring Black Women in N.L., Nicole Obiodiaka, president of the Black Student Association at Memorial University, tells Mullings that she was born for this job and had been preparing for it all her life.

Making a difference

Previously, Mulling has had extensive experience in the anti-violence movement. She has worked in a sexual assault centre with children and adults who have suffered sexual trauma, abuse, etc. 

She also experienced racism when she moved to Canada with her daughter in her personal life. Settling in was not easy. And as a black mother, she decided to take responsibility for making a difference.

In her late thirties, she had to go back to school to achieve these goals. She wanted to learn how to influence policy. “I realised that this is how I could help people, especially people in my community,” she explains. It wasn’t an easy choice, but following her ambitions was worth it. 

She also shares strong advice: “If you have a goal, if you have a vision: stay the course! Network, and make sure you don’t isolate yourself. If people don’t like what you do, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. You must have a clear vision of your plan”.

You can watch their conversation in the video. 

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.