Throughout the month of February, we will be sharing profiles of some of our Black students and faculty. Visit the African Heritage Month page to learn more about how we’re celebrating at Acadia, information on events and resources, and reflections from our community.

When you hear the theme “For Us, By Us: Celebrating Black Excellence,” what does it mean to you personally?

I see it as 'by us' then 'for us'. 'By us' means nurturing spaces cultivated by Black individuals; spaces we've claimed in a world where many didn't want us to exist, spaces we use to support those who come after us. 'By us' represents a foundation of strength built on Black people's unwavering ability to thrive. 'By us' also means something exists from the hands of people who persevered, who understand and connect with me. I see so much by us. Books, hairstyles, villages of love and care, bodily features bought by others but owned naturally by us. All the things we were shamed for, now trending everywhere, cultivated by us. And I see excellence by us too. Scholarships won, glass ceilings shattered, lives transformed, history re-written, by us. For hundreds of years, Black people have continuously broken barriers and persevered, proving that anything done by us will be done excellently.

'For us' means we've reframed segregation's constraints into opportunities for inclusivity. We've created safety nets, spaces, and tools for success. The love of our ancestors, the equity we fought for, the respect, is all for us. We never forget the fight made by us, for us, especially because we're still fighting it now.

Now I, a Black girl, get to be unapologetically excellent. I'm grateful to show that strength, poise, and compassion can all co-exist in Black women. I see the glass ceilings, but I've seen what can be done by us and I'm not afraid to shatter them. I am a Black girl from the Bahamas, a country filled with Black excellence, and I will always be grateful to be part of what is by us, for us.

What program are you currently studying, and what year did you begin your Acadia journey?

I arrived at Acadia in January 2023. I am a fourth-year Psychology major and Sociology minor.

Is there a place on campus (or in Wolfville) where you feel most grounded, affirmed, or like yourself? What makes it meaningful to you?

I feel most grounded at Just Us. I love it because I get to exist somewhere quiet. I can get my favourite drink and enjoy the jazz, or friends can join me. In that space, I'm just someone enjoying a good drink in a comfortable space. There is music made by Black artists playing on the stereo, with baristas that look like me, and patrons that look like me, and we all share that space, unknowingly setting the standards of comfort in belonging. There, I get to be everything that makes me, me, including my Blackness. There, I'm not the 'one Black girl in a class full of people that are white'. I'm just a customer, just like the other patrons.

What advice would you offer to a Black student starting their post-secondary education journey? Especially someone navigating a small, rural, or predominantly white campus for the first time?

Firstly, physically connect to your community. I found so much appreciation for myself and my Blackness by being in Black leadership spaces and representing Black excellence. Make friends that look like you and friends that don't. Network.

Always put yourself in a position to grow. Growth doesn't always mean late nights and stress; it also means rejuvenation, connection, and community. Recognizing your ability also highlights that of people who look like you, and it motivates your entire community. I didn't come to Acadia fully prepared or super confident. I tried things that interested me even when I felt like I wasn't good enough. I show up consistently even in discomfort. I give my mental health the love it deserves, and I seek supports and use every resource I find and need. Seek the resources you need and get help if you need it. These things transformed my thinking and my grades.

And know that your grades are important, but the real gain is the increased autonomy through wisdom and insight. Remain curious, but stay true to your core values.

I want to end by saying: my goal for this year is chasing rejection. I encourage everyone to explore what that means, and to do the same.

Are there Black role models who have shaped or inspired you? How have they influenced your path?

My mother is my biggest influence. She taught me how to be a strong independent woman, ready to take on any challenge. She not only taught me but modelled the way I should live. I watched my mom make sacrifices, care for the ill, and silence rooms with just her presence. I'd say the same for my grandfather, my mom's dad. His undeniable work ethic, his heart of forgiveness, and his charitable nature pushed me to work hard, be wise, and to care for others always. Though I lost my father at eight, I am grateful to have been brought up by a resilient Black mother, devoted Black grandparents, and other dignified family members. I've had invaluable mentors throughout my academic life, but the unwavering support of my family is what has encouraged me to persevere.

What is an accomplishment you’re especially proud of right now—big or small—and why does it matter to you?

I am proud of the 200+ hours of volunteering I’ve put in over the past two years. I've been active in clubs, church, and community, and I see the fruits of that. Those experiences have prepared me to be the Community Service Officer, Director of Student Affairs, Black Student engagement Intern, Club President, and many other titles, but most importantly, they prepared me to spread my love for God, through myself and throughout this world, through my service. I embody God's love through my service.