The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) Scholarship Program launched in the fall of 2021.  Applications will be accepted from September 1^st to October 31^st of each year.   Awards will be given to individuals who self-identify as African, Caribbean or Black (ACB) students wishing to attend College or University or enroll in a Red Seal Program in Canada.

The GBHS hopes to promote academic excellence, leadership skills, and encourage community involvement amongst our youth. The goal of GBHS Scholarship Program is to foster excellence within the ACB community via financial support prior to their post-secondary education.

• Three (3) scholarships will be awarded at a value of $1,000 each. One (1) scholarship will be awarded in each of these categories:
  • Information Technology and Skilled Trades
  • Arts and Black Studies
  • Business and Science

Scholarship Awards:

• The Norwood E. Francis Memorial Scholarship recognises an outstanding student embarking on post-secondary education in the field of technology or the skilled trades.
• The Kween Company Award recognises an outstanding student hoping to earn a degree, diploma or certificate in the field of arts or Black studies.
• The DL Francis Dream Makers Award recognises an outstanding student hoping to earn a degree, diploma or certificate in the field of science or business.

The scholarships will be awarded at the Guelph Black Heritage Society event held in December of the academic year in which the student applied.

Link to our Application form

1. Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
2. Self-identifies as African, Caribbean or Black (ACB).
3. Must be a currently enrolled post-secondary student or a graduated high school student accepted for study towards a diploma, degree, certificate or a Red Seal Program.
4. Must be studying at any accredited College or University or Red Seal Program.
5. If a graduating high school student, the applicant must have already completed high school at the time of completing their application.
6. The scholarships will be granted to an individual(s) who may not have outstanding academic achievements but have demonstrated outstanding talent in either the Arts, Black Studies, Technology or Skilled Trades discipline.
7. Priority will be given to a student who has demonstrated high community engagement through volunteer work.

All applications will be evaluated by the Scholarship Committee and will be based on the standard criteria:

1. Academic Achievement: This is based on your academic transcript, and by testimony to your scholarly excellence that is provided by a letter of recommendation by a teacher.
2. Financial need.  This is based on information provided by your letters of reference, plus any reinforcing narrative you provide in your essay.
3. Recognized contribution to the African, Caribbean & Black (ACB) community.  This is based on information presented in your letters of reference, plus any reinforcing narrative you provide in your essay.

1. Completed applications must be submitted by the deadline of October 31st
2. Two (2) references must be provided who can speak to your community involvement and/or your achievements/commitment in respective fields of study. One may be a teacher from your school, college or University. The other must be from an individual (other than teachers or family members) who is familiar with you and can attest to your community service.
3. Provide a one-page essay explaining why the scholarship should be awarded to you.
4. Provide proof of acceptance or confirmation of enrollment from the institution you plan to attend.
5. An up-to-date transcript from the institution you are currently attending or last attended.

1. Application is submitted in full before deadline of October 31st.
2. All areas of application are completed in full and checked for grammar and spelling.
3. Ensure to attach: Two (2) references, one-page essay, transcript and proof of acceptance.

Applicants should go to our website and complete the application online

Alternatively, applications can be printed and mailed to:

Attention: Scholarship Program

Guelph Black Heritage Society
3-304 Stone Road West, Suite 214
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 4W4

• Scholarship winner/s will be notified   no later than December 1st.
• The scholarships will be awarded at the Guelph Black Heritage Society event held in December of the academic year in which the student applied.

Norwood Francis Memorial Scholarship
Norwood Francis was a proud Jamaican who migrated to Canada in 1967 and moved to Guelph in 1979.  He was a dedicated employee of ITT AC-Pump in Guelph as a systems analyst.  In retirement he enjoyed spending time in Jamaica and was a volunteer at the Guelph Black Heritage Society.

The Kween Company
The Kween Company is a one stop hub for marketing, social media and branding for BIPOC owned and operated businesses. It also supports BIPOC creatives in the dance and artist space while offering education and awareness in activism, allyship and on political issues. It takes us all to do the hard work to educate, facilitate and celebrate BIPOC lives.TKC believes in more advancement in anti-racism and diversity awareness. Because now is not the time to get complacent. The goals of The Kween Company are mandated to ensure support and guidance to the BIPOC community. The Kween Company believes that everyone is royalty!

Denise L. Francis Dream Makers Award
Denise is a founding GBHS board member and has also served as President, Treasurer, Secretary, Chair of the Programming Committee and on the Building Committee.  In 2016, Denise was a recipient of the City of Guelph Mayor’s Award. The Mayor’s Awards honour Guelph’s difference makers – people who make our city a better place through volunteer service.  In 2021 she was awarded a Community Leadership Award from the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards which honours exemplary leadership, commitment, creativity, positive impact and demonstrations of best practices in conservation.  Denise was also recognised as one of the 100 Black Women to watch in Canada 2022 by the Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE).