Virtual Café by YouthREX | Alyssa Vernon | Activity

Alyssa replied to the discussion Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:50:13 -0400

Reply to Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector?

When I dream of programs for Black youth, I dream of hope and resistance. I dream of educating Black students on their right to freedom. I dream of creating art, music, and poetry that exudes Black joy and resistance. I dream of my queer Black students finding themselves and living in their truth. I dream of a programming that is accepting of…

Alyssa replied to the discussion Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:47:37 -0400

Reply to Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario?

Anti-Black racism is still a problem in Ontario because a lot of white folks and/or administration in schools for example, believe that acts of racism are “isolated incidents”. Black folks know, however, that anti-Black racism is embedded in the fabric of Canadian society, and anti-Black racism in schools is not “isolated incidents” but rather…

Alyssa replied to the discussion What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:42:19 -0400

Reply to What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing?

One simple thing I can do to center Black youth and wellbeing is to have a meaningful conversation with each one of my Black youth, asking them how they are doing and what is going on in their lives. Often, Black youth are silenced or looked over, so I want to be there and show them that I care about what goes on in their lives, and hopefully…

Alyssa replied to the discussion How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:22:47 -0400

Reply to How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families?

I had the pleasure to help in a research study on anti-black racism in TDSB schools, learning how to create programming that is intersectional and addresses oppressive systems. We gathered data from the students and teachers involved, and such data will be used to help determine how teachers should be teaching anti-oppressive topics to…