The Black Student Association at Wilfrid Laurier University hosted its “Beating the Odds” conference on Wednesday, aimed at showing high school students some of the career paths they can choose.
“Growing up, I’ve always been around white people and being the minority in groups,” said Grade 11 student Myles Wachina. “Being with people who you can relate to culturally is just a wonderful experience.”
Organizers said attendance at the conference nearly doubled from 250 students in 2024 to almost 500 this year.
“[We want] to encourage Black individuals, that post-secondary is an opportunity,” said Nia Bailey, the director for Beating the Odds 2025. “As someone who went to a Waterloo Region school, I went to this event. It really does make a difference [in terms of] this is something I can do. There are people here, a community that supports you. You have a school that’s supporting you, no matter where you decide to go.”
Information on scholarships, funding and programs offered at post-secondary institutions in Waterloo Region are also shared with students.
“I want to go into speaking publicly,” Wachina explained. “I don’t know if it’s maybe government work, being one of the leaders. I feel like being here inspired me to lead our people, and just to have a better community.”
Hassaan Algadi, a Grade 12 student, was also impressed.
“Seeing everybody here, networking, getting to know each other, all that stuff, is beautiful to see and it’s very awe inspiring.”
Guest speakers answered questions about their respective careers.
“If we can affect what they believe, we can affect how they will behave,” said Vicki Olatundun, the keynote speaker at BTO. “If we can affect how they behave, we can ultimately affect what they’re going to become. That’s why I tell them, ‘Believe, behave, become,’ and they will get to where they’re going.”
Olatundun is a motivational speaker and the executive director of Supporting Every Eve’s Daughter Safely, which helps survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. She said events like Beating the Odds are important because the students may not otherwise see people who look like them in leadership positions.
“To be able to help children, students today, stand on our shoulders,” Olatundun explained. “When we were growing up, we were the only ones. Today, there’s a lot more. But we need to continue to inspire them to be more. Not just show up, but to be more. To grow more. To dream bigger, be bigger.”
