SFU Beedie professor to advise SFU President on anti-racism

Dr. June Francis, Associate Professor of Marketing in SFU’s Beedie School of Business, has been appointed to serve as the Special Advisor to SFU President Joy Johnson on Anti-Racism

Dr. June Francis, Associate Professor of Marketing in SFU’s Beedie School of Business, has been appointed to serve as the Special Advisor to SFU President Joy Johnson on Anti-Racism. In this newly-created position, Francis will advise Johnson on matters of anti-racism and institutional change with a focus on anti-Black racism as well as equity, diversity and inclusion.

“Working toward a more inclusive SFU is one of my priorities as president, and I rely on experts such as June to help identify the path forward and hold me accountable to progress,” says Johnson. “I extend my gratitude to June for accepting this commitment and for the lasting impact she continues to have both within SFU and within the broader community.”

In her role at SFU Beedie, Francis co-founded The Co-Laboratorio project, which works to strengthen cross-sector collaboration, learning and innovation for more inclusive resilient solutions in governance, policies and industry practice. She is also Director of the Institute for Diaspora Research and Engagement at SFU.

Outside SFU, Francis is currently chair of the board of the Hogan’s Alley Society whose mission is to advance the social, political, economic and cultural well-being of people of African descent through the delivery of housing, built spaces and programming. Francis is well-known in the SFU community and beyond for her deep expertise in race, racism, and diversity, and is a frequent commentator in media stories around these subjects.

Internationally, she has worked in China, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe to strengthen governance and create inclusion for racialized minority groups. Francis has been recognized by the Province of British Columbia and the National Congress of Black Women as a Trailblazer. The City of Vancouver recognized her for her contributions to education and to the City, and she is also the recipient of the 2021 Rosemary Brown Award for her exemplary work to bring equality for girls and women both nationally and intentionally, and received the Service Award from the Beedie School of Business for her contributions to the community among other accolades. Francis serves as an advisor on an extensive range of racial equity initiatives including as a member of The Black North Initiative Education Committee.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to contribute to reimagining SFU as a university community where Black, Indigenous, and other racialized students, scholars, administrators, and staff can truly flourish,” says Francis. “Becoming anti-racist requires that we all take active steps to address institutional racism and power equities while creating opportunities to amplify the representation, worldview, ingenuity, and talents of those most often excluded. I am honoured to be part of this movement for change.”