Representation was a central theme at the Faculty of Engineering’s Black History Month gathering on February 10, where students, faculty, staff and alumni came together to celebrate identity, belonging and community. The event centred on Rooted Beings, an exhibition honouring members of the Black engineering community whose stories showcase resilience, purpose and meaningful impact.
Aligned with McMaster’s 2026 Black History Month theme, Rooted: Our Legacy, Our Strength, Our Future, the exhibition explores what it means to stay grounded in one’s identity while shaping the future of engineering. The display features six individuals – two students, two faculty members and two alumni — selected by a committee of peers for their contributions to the Black community at McMaster and beyond. Learn about the six honourees below.
Jodi Buckley, Manager of the Office of Experience and Engagement in the Faculty’s Centre for Career Growth and Experience, opened the event by reflecting on her previous role as McMaster’s inaugural Black Career Advisor and the exceptional Black students who became part of her network. She shared that being rooted to her means remaining connected “to my past, my culture, my experiences, the elders in my community and allowing it to inform the way that I navigate the world around me.”
Speakers at the event also emphasized the importance of belonging. Halima Banuso, president of the McMaster Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), noted that the club’s most important role is building community for Black students in engineering. Assistant Professor Nana Ofori-Opoku featured in the exhibition, shared his experience of being one of only a few Black students throughout his undergraduate, master’s and PhD studies at McMaster and the positive change he’s seen since then. He encouraged current students to take up space, saying, “once you step into a space, know that you belong,” and called on those with privilege to help make room for others.
The exhibition was designed by Omoseke (Seke) Fowode, a visual and performing artist, Creative Lead on the Engineering Communications and Marketing team at McMaster, and a McMaster Master of Engineering Design graduate. Fowode described her intention to design a living, interactive experience where observers could “see themselves reflected with dignity.”
Guests enjoyed music, food from local restaurant Afrolicious, button‑making with samples of artwork from the exhibition and hair oil samples produced in past Black Outreach STEM Series workshops — award‑winning, culturally relevant programming for Black youth. Visitors were also invited to fill out a postcard with prompts that encouraging reflection on what rooted means to them and how they hope to shape the future.
Rooted Beings will remain on display in the John Hodgins Engineering Building lobby until Friday, February 20, after which it will travel to the Engineering Technology Building and other locations across campus.
Rooted Beings featured profiles
Jenna Harris
PhD student in Biomedical Engineering
IBET Momentum Fellow
“Being rooted means valuing my connection to those who came before me.”
Dr. Nana Ofori-Opoku
Three-time McMaster alumni
Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
“Being rooted means knowing where you come from, while still defining where you’re going.”
Deyontae (DJ) Patterson
Computer Engineering student and musician
“Being rooted is embodied by the principle of Sankofa — the wisdom of reaching back to retrieve that which was lost to move forward.”
Dr. Tom Wanyama
Associate Professor, W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
Director, Learning Factory
“Being rooted means staying grounded in lived experience, purpose and responsibility.”
Tolu Falade
Co-founder, NSBE McMaster
Global Sustainability Leader, Indeed
Chemical and Bioengineering ’13
“Being rooted means knowing where you come from — and using that foundation to grow toward where you’re going.”
Howard Shearer
President and CEO, Hitachi Canada Ltd.
Electrical Engineering ’77, Hon. Doctorate ’24
As President and CEO of Hitachi Canada, Howard became the company’s first non-Japanese president, leading across energy, technology and social infrastructure sectors. He has dedicated decades to public service, serving on boards, advisory councils and organizations committed to human rights and education.
