Out of Many, One

Empowering Black entrepreneurs and artists; igniting systemic transformation

Think "corporate," and what comes to mind? Black and white, the epitome of professionalism, right? Well, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. We partnered with the University of Toronto Scarborough to shake up their BRIDGE Finance and Data Lab, usually characterized by Euro-centric aesthetics. Proudly introducing the Out of Many, One mural, a vibrant creation by Black artists.

Out of Many, One Mural

The catalyst for this project was the existing partnership between Nobellum, University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC) and the Ubuntu Creative Arts Project (UCAP), an organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting Jamaican youth in the arts.

UTSC’s commitment to our mandate of supporting the startup of 100 black-owned businesses in STEM by 2025. Through this partnership, members in the UofT chapter of the Nobellum Innovator Program gain access to spaces and resources at the UTSC such as The BRIDGE Finance & Data Lab and it is important that these spaces create a sense of belonging not just for our entrepreneurs but also the Black students, faculty and staff who use these spaces.

People engaging in conversation at a networking event in a modern indoor space with a large glass wall and a sign reading 'BRIDGE' in the background.

“Out of Many, One” is paradoxically simple yet exceptional. Simple in that it’s a mural birthed by the tripartite partnership of the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), the Ubuntu Creative Art project (UCAP) & Nobellum Enterprise.

Exceptional in that it exceedingly goes beyond its physical properties. How so?

A woman holding a microphone and a man pointing towards the camera, standing on stage with a white background.

If you guessed that the artwork champions inclusion and multicultural collaboration, just pat yourself on the back ‘cause you’re spot on! The project marks UTSC’s commitment to inclusivity and anti-racism in academic spaces especially in the fields of finance, STEM and entrepreneurship.

Thirdly, the innovative mural is not only symbolic of a sense of belonging for racialized faculty, staff and students pursuing futures in finance, STEM and entrepreneurship, it signifies the advent of

Two people chatting in a computer lab with multiple screens, artwork on the walls, and other individuals working or talking in the background.

More mentorship opportunities for black artists in Scarborough.

Five women standing together in front of a colorful mural featuring a silhouette of a person pointing upward towards a flowering tree and geometric patterns.

More equitable engagement and reciprocal knowledge exchange between Black communities and UTSC’s Department of Management.

Group of five diverse adults engaged in a discussion in a bright office space with large windows.

More commissioned artwork from black Scarborough communities.

We welcome incoming cohorts into the Nobellum Innovator program, and as our entrepreneurs continue to leverage resources like the BRIDGE Finance & Data Lab, it is imperative that they feel a sense of belonging

Six women in black and beige outfits are gathered in a modern room with blue curtains, sitting and standing around a gray sofa, using laptops and a tablet.

The cornerstone of the project was Community. The name “Out of Many, One” pulls inspiration from the Jamaican Motto “Outta Many, One People” which speaks to a melting pot of people coming together to create one body.

Three women in a room with a large monitor, discussing a presentation. One woman is standing, two are seated at a table, with the monitor showing text and images about Claire Browne.

True to the community-centric theme, the Jury made up of (Dwayne Morgan, Sandy Saad, Sapphira Charles, Kathryn Lawrence, and Lauraine Ramazani) curated to select the artists represented Black and BIPOC members of the Scarborough and wider Toronto Arts community.

A diverse group of people attending a meeting or workshop in a modern conference room with large windows, whiteboards, and screens, seated around a long table with snacks and drinks.

Additionally, throughout the project, members from the UTSC Community (students, faculty and staff were engaged in multiple community engagement sessions that allowed them to voice their opinions and co-create the art pieces with the selected artists, Claire Brown and Elicser Elliot. 

However, we didn’t stop there! The project was unveiled on April 29, 2023. In preparation for the mural unveiling we engaged with one of our community partners, Roundtable Records, to work with the University of Toronto Scarborough’s Arts, Culture and Media Department on a Work Integrated Learning piece that performed the day of the event. 

Two women and one man participating in a brainstorming session or interview at a whiteboard in a conference room. The women are standing and sitting, the man is sitting, writing with a marker. The conference room has chairs, a large table, and a TV mounted on the wall.
A classroom or meeting room with whiteboards filled with notes and a woman with curly blonde hair, wearing a brown shirt, sitting at the table. There are cups and supplies on the table, and a television monitor on the wall behind her.
A diverse group of young people standing and discussing around a whiteboard in a conference room. Four women and one man are present, with some holding markers or phones. There is a large display screen with the text 'Group Discussions' visible in the background.
Whiteboard with the phrase 'Out of many, one community' and a drawing of Snoopy from Peanuts cartoon, surrounded by black office chairs and a table with a drink, a can, and some paper.

The mural unveiling event was a melting pot of communities coming together to celebrate Inclusive Excellence. From the music, to the food and of course the art. Students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders stood in awe as the blinds rolled up to unveil the work of two extremely talented Black artists.

Two smiling women and a smiling man sitting at a table. The woman on the right has short hair, glasses, and a beige cardigan. The man on the left has a beard, glasses, and is wearing a red beanie and dark jacket. On the table are a beige purse, a paper cup, a juice box, and some papers. In the background, a whiteboard with sketches and notes is visible.
Two women are standing and engaging in conversation in a classroom or conference room. One woman has long braids and is holding a phone; the other woman has curly hair and is holding a coffee cup. There is a whiteboard with notes on the wall behind them.
Three people, two women and one man, smiling and posing for a photo in an art gallery or office space, standing in front of colorful paintings. The woman on the left has curly hair and wears a beige outfit, the man in the middle is bald and dressed in a dark suit, and the woman on the right has long curly hair and wears black. There is a computer and chairs in the background.
Two men and three women seated and engaged in conversation in an indoor setting, with a large window behind them.
Two individuals sitting at a table engaged in conversation, one holding a green marker, in an indoor setting with chairs in the background.

Today, the award winning “Out of Many, One” mural project stands as a symbol of cultural disruption, creating a sense of belonging for Black and diverse students, faculty, staff, and entrepreneurs.

Through this project, we have not only shaken things up but made history at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus with this mural being the first ever commissioned piece by the University to celebrate Black entrepreneurship.

Don’t just take our word for it… the records are there! Check out this award-winning video documenting the project’s journey for starters!

Meet the Artists

Meet the Artists

A man with glasses, a beard, and dreadlocks, wearing a dark blazer, speaking into a microphone.

Elicser Elliot

Elicser Elliott is a Canadian visual artist who has been making his mark in building Toronto’s street art scene. Since graduating from Sheridan College’s animation program, he has amassed a vast collection of murals and public artworks around the city.

He describes his work as highly improvised collages of soft characters and organic shapes, layered and blended through transparencies. Inspirations for his characters often stem from his own past relationships and experiences. Coupled with drawing likenesses from passersby on the street, he combines the two to bring his community-based murals to life.

Apart from his renowned murals seen widely across the streets of Toronto, Elliott has also illustrated and produced a small run of books titled Know Love. He has previously exhibited at the Art Gallery ofOntario, The Royal Ontario Museum and LE Gallery. He was also an arts educator with the AGO’s “Free After Three” youth arts program and the Toronto Jazz Festival, teaching youth aerosol paint techniques.

A woman with curly hair holding a microphone and smiling, wearing a white blouse and checkered pants, standing against a black background.

Claire Browne

Claire Browne is an emerging artist living and working in the Toronto area. She graduated from OCAD University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree specializing in drawing and painting.

Her art practice focuses on the themes of self-identity and heritage. She is particularly interested in landscape and the deep connection that people have between land and self-identity.

Her own family’s stories consist of travel, displacement and adapting to new lands and cultural spaces. Through painting the Caribbean country St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where her paternal family originates, Claire attempts to navigate the cultural spaces and stories of her childhood allowing for new narratives to appear.