Television network and streaming service OUTtv supports 2SLGBTQIA+ students through new Bachelor of Commerce award
Awards totalling $5,000 have been made available annually through a new gift from OUTtv for students in the UBC Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and have demonstrated an interest in community service and leadership.
The first OUTtv Award in Commerce will be available in September 2023 as the start of a five-year commitment.
Brad Danks is the CEO of OUTtv Network Inc. and OUTtv Media Global Inc. (collectively known as “OMG”), the world’s largest producer and aggregator of original 2SLGBTQIA+ film and television content. He is also a proud alum of the UBC Bachelor of Arts program.
For Danks, the announcement of the OUTtv Award in Commerce represents a full-circle moment. “You carry that feeling when you graduate that the school has given you something special. I always felt a sense of, ‘How do I give back to UBC? Is there a way I can maintain the relationship?’”
Cultivating leaders in the community
Danks says he hopes the new award will help students focus on their studies because money can often translate into the gift of time.
“We hope this award gives students the freedom to pursue their academics, whether that’s through a lack of loan debt, or not having to work the whole summer or every weekend,” says Danks. “It’s our way of letting members of the community know that there is somebody out there looking out for them.”
Leadership and community service are the two main criteria of the award, Danks says, because it’s all about offering financial support to students who want to make the world a better place.
“Nothing positive happens unless someone decides to take action. It is not always easy to be a leader and it takes time and energy to be involved in the community. We want to reward students who are demonstrating those qualities, doing interesting things, and who really stand out.”
A growing business eyeing talent from UBC Sauder
OUTtv first launched in 2001 but has experienced most of its growth since 2016 when the network pivoted to its subscriber-based streaming platform on OUTtv.com.
“Over the last 20 or 25 years, with the growing acceptance and the evolution of the community, our business opportunities have grown. A lot of the shows have crossed over to a mainstream audience. That creates a more compelling business case for the channel. There is a strong forward trajectory based on changes in attitudes and changes in society,” says Danks.
As the company looks to the future, Danks says the team is focused on hiring people with the skills to help elevate and grow the business. Marketing, data science, and management roles are a priority for their recruitment efforts and Danks sees there is high-quality talent coming out of UBC Sauder.
“Developing a relationship with UBC Sauder will help us communicate with students who may be interested in working in our industry.”
Danks is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria and a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at other academic institutions. He says one of his favourite things about interacting with students is sharing wisdom on career development and offering mentorship.
“Mentors save you time, they tell you where the potholes are in the road and the things to avoid. I’ve had a couple very special relationships, and I feel like it’s a part of life where I should pay it forward,” he says.
The Dhillon Centre Student Triumph Award: 2SLGBTQIA+
UBC Sauder has also created the Dhillon Centre Student Triumph Award: 2SLGBTQIA+ to offer further financial support to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The $1,000 award will be provided by the Dhillon Centre annually for an undergraduate UBC Sauder student who identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+. Consideration will be given to a student’s community contributions and demonstrations of leadership, barriers faced, and the potential impact of receiving the award. The award will be available as of the fall 2023 semester.
“We are grateful to OUTtv for their support of our students and we are excited to expand on the award offerings with the creation of the Dhillon Centre Student Triumph Award: 2SLGBTQIA+,” says Dr. Kate White, Senior Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability at UBC Sauder. "It is so important to support students who have been historically marginalized in different ways and I was actually surprised that UBC previously had no awards to support 2SLGBTQIA+ students. I am glad we are able to fill this need."
Commerce Undergraduate Society Community Icon Award: 2SLGBTQIA+
The Commerce Undergraduate Society has also created the Commerce Undergraduate Society Community Icon Award: 2SLGBTQIA+ to offer support and recognition to the community.
This $500 award will be provided by the Commerce Undergraduate Society for an undergraduate UBC Sauder student who identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+. Recognition is given based on community contributions, along with empowerment of both self and others. This award will be available starting in the fall 2023 semester.
Information on how to apply to all three awards will be released later this summer.