Tianna Edwards grew up in Kingston. She knows what it’s like to be the only Black person in a classroom.
So back in 2020, when she started working at the Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion, she was passionate about helping Black students find a deeper sense of belonging on campus.
“I always say, ‘I’m the person I would have wanted if I had done my undergrad at ϳܱ’s,’” says Edwards, who went to the University of Guelph-Humber for a diploma in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in media studies. She later completed a master’s degree in cultural studies at ϳܱ’s.
Edwards is now the equity, diversity, and inclusion coordinator at Yellow House, a place for students at ϳܱ’s who identify as Queer and/or Trans and/or Black and/or Indigenous and/or People of Colour (QTBIPoC) to find community, to celebrate their identity, and to flourish.
ϳܱ’s became a signatory of the Scarborough Charter in 2021, an initiative that prioritizes Black inclusion in post-secondary institutions. This gave Edwards an opportunity to consult directly with Black students, staff, and faculty. This process helped inform the design of the Black at ϳܱ’s program, a series of initiatives tailored specifically for Black students, by Black students to thrive and find community and a sense of belonging.
We recently caught up with Edwards to learn more about Black at ϳܱ’s, why it’s important, and how alumni can get involved. Here is what she told us.
Why is the Black at ϳܱ’s program needed?
It fills that hole of representation. And when students come to Black at ϳܱ’s programming, they know that they’re going to be surrounded by people who look like them, who have similar experiences as them. I often have students who come to my office just to sit down, and they’ll say, “Today, I was in class and there were 150 people, and I was the only Black person. I need to sit beside a Black person right now just to feel affirmed.” That’s what Black at ϳܱ’s programming is really about. We connect students to Black community members, faculty, and staff. It’s not just about peer representation, it’s important to connect students with folks who have been here for a long time to get a better understanding of what that feels like. It helps to create a sense of hopefulness.
Can you give us an example of how Black at ϳܱ’s connects Black students to one another, and to Black folks in the wider community?
Black Swims is a great example, which we launched last September. There is deep context to this program with many cultural and historic reasons why some Black folks don’t swim or feel comfortable in water. We do these weekly swims at ϳܱ’s Athletic and Recreation Centre, where free lessons are available if students want them. It’s open to Black students, staff, faculty, and community members. At a swim, you can have a ϳܱ’s prof and a teacher from Kingston and a biology student swimming together. It's amazing. We’ve also hosted the Black Welcome for two years now. It’s a culturally affirming event that brings Black students, staff, and faculty together at the beginning of the school year.
So when a student goes to a swim, an event, or engages in any other Black at ϳܱ’s programming, what do you hope they take away from the experience?
I want them to feel that they belong, that they’re not isolated, and that we recognize the nuances to being Black on campus. Students show up to programming with varying positionalities. Regardless of how they show up, I want them to feel a stronger sense of connection. Black folks are so rich with nuance, and that’s what we try to recognize. I just love the idea of Black folks coming to Yellow House and knowing that they’re going to be seen for exactly who they are. I really hope they feel that.
How can alumni support your work?
I love seeing and hearing from alumni. For alumni who have really made something of themselves or discovered career or life hacks over time, it would be amazing for them to give back through Yellow House any way they can. I am always open to that. And there are always students I have in mind who I know would really benefit by connecting with Black alumni. If there are Black alumni who are interested in the work we’re doing and curious about contributing, please reach out and email us. We’d love to hear from you.
Head to queensu.ca/yellow-house for more information about Yellow House and how to connect with the team.
