'My Black is beautiful': U of T student celebrates Black excellence with apparel line

Malika Derrell, a third-year political science and public policy student at the University of Toronto, has brought her idea to life: an apparel line celebrating Black excellence.

The collection – created with the help of Trademark Licensing at Spaces & Experiences and the Black Student Engagement (BSE) program at U of T Scarborough – consists of two T-shirts with the quotes, “My Black is beautiful” and “Wherever you are, be great.”

Designed by S&E graphic designer David Cucullo, the clothing is available at U of T Bookstore locations on all three campuses and online.

“With this particular collection, I wanted to let students who look like me know that they are represented here,” said Derrell, who is also BSE’s student lead. “They belong here at this university.”

One of the quotes – “Wherever you are, be great” – is from Andria Lewis-Alexander, lead coordinator of the BSE program: it’s something she says to her students all the time.

“It’s humbling. I never thought that something I said to my students impacted them in this way,” she said. “For years I said it and never realized I said it, and my mantra to any student that I worked with was, ‘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.”

A third design was also made exclusively for BSE students attending the program’s annual trip to Howard University in Washington, D.C., reading “Unapologetically Black at U of T.”

Ivan Canete, trademark licensing manager at Spaces & Experiences, previously collaborated with his counterparts at Howard to make an exclusive crewneck for BSE members visiting the campus during Black History Month 2024 – so when the U of T Bookstore approached him about a special line of t-shirts, he saw a chance to expand on the prior year’s offering.

“We saw the 2025 collection as a great opportunity to make it a tri-campus initiative,” he said.

The collection has provided a meaningful platform to showcase important ideas and discussions, said Jason Farrell, vice-president of retail and distribution at U of T Press, which runs the U of T Bookstores. “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…” Farrell said. “Collaborating with Trademark Licensing, the U of T Scarborough marketing team and [the] Black Student Engagement program has been an inspiring experience, reaffirming our deep commitment to students and the community.”

Derrell, who first thought of the idea for the clothing line in 2024, said the collection encourages members of the Black community and allies alike to spread messages of inclusivity, empowerment and pride.

“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.”