To commemorate Black History Month, we will be celebrating the achievements of Black Varsity Blues athletes, highlighting their accomplishments, and showcasing their impact in shaping the history of U of T.

For Alicia and Lindsay Lashley, Black excellence is about more than their own achievements, but about how they can support others and build sustainability for those around them.

Alicia and Lindsay were members of the Varsity Blues women's soccer, with both earning OUA all-star honours as standout performers on the pitch.

Graduating from U of T with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, psychology and math, Alicia is now Manager of Sponsorship and Strategic Partnerships within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto.

Meanwhile, Lindsay has parlayed her Bachelor of Engineering from U of T into a professional engineering position working as a senior project manager for the high-speed rail project set to connect Ontario and Quebec.

These kinds of individual accomplishments can serve as inspiration on their own. Representation is a vital part of building a pathway for Black excellence, but it is not the only part.

Alicia identifies having that support and representation during her own assent at U of T.

"I was really spoiled as a Varsity Blue because I had my sister, but also there were at least three other Black people on the team, there were five or six black people on the men's team and there were a few coaches and trainers in both programs. That was a big difference for me because growing up I almost never played with black athletes, coaches or trainers. I had some really challenging experiences growing up playing youth soccer and not having anyone that looked like me around besides my family. As someone that grew up in a very white world, it's such a breath of air to be at U of T which is a very diverse space in comparison."

And while the athletic space of Varsity Blues teams portrayed a world more familiar, Lindsay also shares about growth in representation that was still needed.

"Representation of Black students in Engineering was limited, and while the Varsity Blues felt more diverse, that lack of representation became more visible in leadership roles. At the time, it didn't affect me deeply, I had grown up in environments where underrepresentation was common. However, as I progressed into my professional career, I became more aware of how this lack of representation extends into corporate culture and leadership, shaping my perspective on mentorship and inclusion today. That awareness has shaped my commitment to giving back."

This is what drives the sisters to elevate their own contribution to be more than representation. To being proactive and building access-points for those following in their footsteps.

Alicia served as the communications co-lead on the Board of Directors for The Canadian Black Standard, a non-profit organization that promotes Black excellence and community building. She is also the founder and business consultant of Camaraderie Lifestyle, a lifestyle consulting firm that specializes in securing funding through grant applications for small businesses.

Lindsay serves on the Board of Directors for Black Engineers of Canada, whose mandate is to enable clear and sustainable pathways for Black engineers to achieve excellence.

No longer is representation enough. Now, more than ever, there is an ability to make an impact through action. Finding ways to support others and build sustainable pathways to success.

In her role within Varsity Blues Athletics, Alicia shares her excitement in seeing this same kind of proactive contribution being displayed by future University of Toronto graduates.

"The Varsity Blues community means everything to me. I bring my kids to games every week and my one-year-old already cheers - Let's Go T.O. I love watching women play sports at a high level. I love seeing the athletes training at Goldring. But my favourite moments are seeing the work of the student-athletes on Varsity Board and the BVA (BIPOC Varsity Association). This work the students are doing to build community across teams means everything to me because I know they're building skills for life."

"To me, Black excellence is less about external labels and more about mindset, confidence, and sustainability." noted Lindsay. "My advice to young Black student-athletes is to invest in both your development and your well-being, build confidence, seek mentorship, and remember that excellence is a long game, not a sprint."

Together, Alicia and Lindsay Lashley exemplify how Black excellence is not only achieved — it is nurtured, protected, and passed forward.