Research Project
The point of our research to to fully understand issues in various areas and what can be done to improve the Black experience in these areas. The UN has put attention on Canada to address anti-Black racism. Our experts in these fields will help us understand the problems and create action items to create policy changes and a clear path forward for Canadian culture.
Education
Racism is a current barrier in the experience of Black youths in the education system. This barrier can cause issues with education early in life as well as future financial problems. Lack of awareness about the African-Canadian experience mixed with negative views of Black students can lead to lower student engagement, higher expulsion rates of Black students and less Black students pursuing postsecondary education.
Earlier research has found that supports such as parent engagement help to combat the racism present in the education system. Our research hopes to expand on this to find more ways to make the educational system work for Black youth.
Child Welfare
Black children are overrepresented in the child welfare system. Black children in Toronto were five times as likely to be investigated for maltreatment reports. Gender, race, class, and lack of cultural awareness from educators and service providers come together to form the experience of Black youth in the welfare system. Hence, it is important for the child welfare system to understand the Black community as to properly fulfil its role for Black people in Canada.
Health
Following the University of Calgary plan on Child Health and Wellness, this project will advance knowledge about the health and well-being of Black Canadian youth using intersectionality. This research is being done in efforts to reach the goal of removing inequities in child health. Many members of the team have expertise in health fields. By doing this research, we are increasing the body of literature about Black children’s health not only for policymakers but also for future researchers. All the research is done using a community-centred approach.
Settlement
Black migrant youths in Canada face settlement issues. Our research helps to identify the problems with settlement so we can improve the well-being of Black Canadians. The traumas before during and after migration can stay with youths and make their settlement and integration experiences more difficult. Changes in socioeconomic status, especially when parents are not qualified for the same job as they had before, can be a further hinderance to integration. Cultural and language barriers stand in the way of access to available services. Our researchers want to collaborate with these Black youths to find solutions that work.
Criminal Justice
There are several junctions in the criminal justice system biased against Black people: stop, arrest, prosecution, and sentencing. Statistically, Black youth are twice as likely to be stopped and less likely to receive a warning when stopped. Bail for Black youths usually has more conditions and they are less likely to be released on parole. Our work aims to reduce crime rates and other sources of Black overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.
