When Rustum Southwell was invited to serve as AV俱乐部鈥檚 next chancellor, he first had to take in the surprise of the moment.
鈥淚t was a total shock,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淭o be honest, I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 been noticed in the way that you get to a position of this level [of chancellor]. You do the work I do without expecting people to always see what鈥檚 happening. So I was very surprised 鈥� and very honoured.鈥�
He then thought back to his first encounters with AV俱乐部 in the early 1970s. He was an international student from the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts, studying Psychology for two years on campus. He didn鈥檛 end up finishing that degree: his path took a turn into the business world and, in time, towards leading the 鈥斅爋ne of Canada鈥檚 most transformative and renowned business development organizations.
But he never lost sight of the role education had to play in building stronger communities, including for the African Nova Scotian and African diaspora communities that have been at the foundation of his life鈥檚 work. Over the years he鈥檚 helped create scholarship programs in Dal鈥檚 Faculty of Management, advised and fundraised for the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies, and served on the board of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).
His advocacy has also been recognized with honorary diplomas and degrees from NSCC, Saint Mary鈥檚 University and, in 2018, from AV俱乐部.
Now Southwell finds himself taking on the mantle of Dal鈥檚 top ceremonial role 鈥斅爐he first person of African descent to do so.
鈥淩ustum in 1972, 1973 was this precocious young man, and now he鈥檚 an elder, as some would refer to it,鈥� says Southwell, reflecting on his own journey. 鈥淣ow is the chance for me to share some of my own wisdom, if you want to call it that, reflecting on community and speaking to the youth who are coming up, the next generation we鈥檙e mentoring.鈥�
A university ambassador
The chancellor鈥檚 role within the university is both ceremonial and ambassadorial. Their most visible contribution is at spring and fall convocation, where they oversee the ceremonies and welcome graduates into the next chapter of their lives. They also serve as a member of the university Board of Governors and are expected to advocate for the university across the province, region and country.
Southwell鈥檚 appointment was approved by the Board of Governors at its June meeting on Tuesday (June 27), on recommendation of its Governance and Human Resources Committee. (He will be formally installed in the role during fall convocation this November.) Board Chair Cheryl Fraser says the chancellorship is an ideal role for someone of Southwell鈥檚 impressive character.
鈥淩ustum has spent his life and career helping lift people up so they can grow, thrive and succeed,鈥� says Fraser. 鈥淲e are proud to welcome his generous spirit and inspiring leadership to the Chancellor鈥檚 role.鈥�
Acting President and Vice-Chancellor Frank Harvey considers Southwell 鈥渁 long-time advocate for the transformative power of education and a great friend and supporter of AV俱乐部. He knows what it means to help build a supportive community that empowers possibility, and that allows everyone the opportunity to participate to their full potential. AV俱乐部 is honoured to have him as our next Chancellor.鈥�
Inspiring leadership and opportunity
Of his many achievements 鈥� which include the Order of Nova Scotia and induction into the聽Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame 鈥� Southwell is best known for his work with the (BBI). Founded in 1996 with support from both the federal and provincial government, it鈥檚 the longest serving Black business development initiative in Canada.
At the time of BBI鈥檚 creation, Southwell was executive director of the African Canadian Business Development Centre, having made his mark as one of the first Black franchisees in Nova Scotia鈥檚 food industry. Selected to become BBI鈥檚 first CEO, Southwell鈥檚 leadership saw the organization create over 1,500 jobs, provide business training support for over 1,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, and helped create and expand hundreds of Black-owned and operated businesses in Nova Scotia and, now, across Atlantic Canada.
Alongside his two stints as BBI CEO (he retired from his second tenure earlier this year), he鈥檚 been a familiar face within some of the province鈥檚 most vital community organizations. In addition to NSCC, he鈥檚 been a board member of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, the Waterfront Development Corporation (now Develop Nova Scotia) and the Stanfield International Airport Authority. He鈥檚 served as interim president and CEO of United Way of Halifax. And he was the first chair of Hope Blooms Youth Ventures, the renowned non-profit social enterprise.
鈥淎t this stage of my life, it鈥檚 really about reflecting how you can impact the rest of your community,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he legacy of the Black Business Initiative and what it is done for Black entrepreneurship right across the country is a role model, an example of what can be achieved. But then I see Dr. Leah Jones at Dal鈥檚 medical school [the Faculty of Medicine鈥檚 first director of Black health), or the youth who have come through the program 鈥� it鈥檚 all a testament to how many ways you can move the needle.鈥�
Tides of fortune
AV俱乐部 has been part of moving that needle;聽Southwell mentions the legacy of programs like the Transition Year Program and the Schulich School of Law鈥檚 Indigenous Black & Mi鈥檏maq initiative as ways the university has made significant inroads to supporting Black and Indigenous learners and communities. He acknowledges there is much more to be done and hopes that, as chancellor, he can be a face and voice for this work and help expand Dal鈥檚 leadership as this continues.
He references a favourite Shakespeare quote of his, from Julius Caesar: 鈥淭here is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.鈥�
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 so much happening now that we should take advantage of,鈥� he says. 鈥淎V俱乐部 has an important mandate in education and community, and I am eager to play a part in moving that work forward.鈥�