New Black Students’ Association formed in Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine

Founding members of the newly formed Black Students’ Association in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine: Aris Sobze, Eni Okelana, Semon Smartt, Lydia Aroge and Ibrahim Bakare. (Photos supplied.)

When Aris Sobze began the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine’s physical therapy program last September, he didn’t expect many students to look like him. “When I saw a few other Black students, I was a bit shocked,” he admits. “It got me asking why. Is it that we’re not applying? Is it something with admissions? Or do they know that this profession even exists?”

Growing up in Peace River, Alberta, Sobze never considered having a career in physical therapy. It wasn’t until his third year of a BSc program while researching career options that combined his interests — sports and science — that he stumbled upon a University of Alberta video about the physical therapy program on YouTube that sparked his imagination. 

Sobze’s mother — a nurse — arranged for him to job shadow a local physiotherapist and it had an impact. Being a social person who likes to help people, Sobze says, “It was actually something I could see myself doing.” 

Once in the program, Sobze learned of a Black student who didn’t apply because she didn’t see any Black representation. This inspired him to think about forming a Black Students’ Association. “Not only will it bring awareness to other Black students that there are actually Black students here,” says Sobze, “but it will also show them some different avenues for their careers.”

Eni Okelana, a second-year physical therapy student, remembers how confused she felt during orientation when she didn’t see any other Black students. “I questioned my decision to choose physical therapy as a career and debated whether to defer to the next year in hopes that there might be someone who looked like me in the upcoming class.”

In November, five students started connecting through a group chat. By March they had formed a BSA representing all areas of study in the faculty — physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and rehabilitation science.

In addition to bringing awareness to potential applicants, the group supports current students, who can sometimes feel isolated and lonely as the only Black person in a cohort. “It’s about bringing everybody in as a collective and showing them that we’re here to support you with anything you need,” says Sobze. “If you feel like you belong, then you belong.”

Okelana says that being part of the BSA has helped her gain confidence and has eased her mind about being the only Black person and having to represent a whole race of people. “It was great being able to share experiences in a safe environment and meet individuals from other disciplines,” she says. “I was also able to engage in some mentorship and give the first-year physical therapy students some tips on navigating the program.”

Another goal of the BSA is to create a mentorship program with Black professionals — physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists — in the community. “Anyone can be your mentor,” explains Sobze. “But I believe that people of different races and ethnicities feel a bit more comfortable with someone who may look like them.” 

Looking to the future, the group hopes to secure program seats for Black students. “It might help with the application process,” says Sobze, adding that if applicants see that four or five seats are available, they may feel they have more chance of getting into the competitive programs.

Sobze looks forward to reuniting with the BSA in September and seeing where it may lead. “I always say, dream big,” he says. “You never know where it’s going to take you, but keep pushing. I’m pretty optimistic that we can make some change and make a difference.”

For more information or to join the Black Students’ Association in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, contact: Aris Sobze, sobzeman@ualberta.ca or Eni Okelana, okelana@ualberta.ca