Lesra Martin Student Changemaker Award

FacetDescription
Student Category

Returning and graduating students

Application Required

Yes. See the Lesra Martin Student Changemaker Award application. This application is typically available by February with a due date of mid-April.

Number of Recipients

One (or possibly multiple)

Decisions and Payment Timing

Decisions are made in the spring and award is paid in the summer (for graduating students) and fall (for returning students). 

Award Value (Based on Previous Values)

Approximately $1,000

Grades Considered In good standing
Financial Need

No

Leadership Yes
OtherSubmitted creative and innovative scholarship and/or co-curricular activity
Award Conditions

The Lesra Martin Award at Innis College will be awarded annually to an outstanding full- or part-time Innis College undergraduate student enrolled in the Faculty of Arts & Science. To receive the award, the recipient can be either a returning or a graduating Innis College student.

The award is premised on the understanding that access to education is the key to legal, legislative, and social change to improve Black lives. Recipients are those who effect change for Black lives using creative and innovative scholarship and/or co-curricular activity. Examples of scholarship could include digital social media projects, academic submissions, artistic installations, music compositions, and films. Examples of co-curricular activity could be the formation of a club, student programming initiatives, and/or equity and outreach efforts. The award is designed to recognize student efforts that aim for: a shift in the public dialogue about productive ways to further inclusion; enhanced understanding of the dynamic dimensions of lived Black experience; expanding knowledge of how to address systemic barriers; and perhaps even recommendations for legislative or legal changes to guard against systemic barriers to Black lives.

Recipients must be In Good Standing (CGPA of 1.5+). The award is open to international and domestic students.  The same student(s) cannot receive the award in multiple years. Strong preference will be given to Black student applicants.