The Black Youth Visionary Program: Empowering Black Youth with Aaliyah Hinds

Aaliyah Hinds, Black Youth Visionary Program Coordinator, is also a PhD student in Public Health Sciences focused on Black Canadians with disabilities, blending her academic journey with a passion for helping Black youth. At Ontario Tech University, she plays a key role in the Black Youth Visionary Program (BYVP), an initiative dedicated to equipping the next generation of leaders with the tools they need to thrive. In this interview, we explore Aaliyah’s academic background, her research’s intersection with the BYVP, and how her work is shaping Black youth student empowerment. 

What is your role at Ontario Tech—What inspired you to become part of the university? 

My name is Aaliyah Hinds, and I am the coordinator of the new Black Youth Visionary Program at Ontario Tech. What inspired me to become a part of the university is that, based on my own experiences in higher education, I've seen the impact of not having adequate support for Black students to succeed. This role gives me the opportunity to work one-on-one with and support Black students, which is exciting to me. That's what drew me in, along with the fact that Ontario Tech is a smaller university. I feel like there are more opportunities for me to make an impact here.

Tell us about your academic background and what you’re currently studying. 

I did my undergrad at Queen's University in Psychology and French Studies, and then I completed my master's at UofT in Developmental Psychology and Education. Currently, I am completing my PhD at UofT in Public Health Sciences, specifically Social and Behavioural Health Sciences. The research that I’m planning to do will hopefully be used to develop a theory to explain why Black Canadians with disabilities don’t seek or access disability support services. 

What is the Black Youth Visionary Program (BYVP)? 

The Black Youth Visionary Program is a brand-new initiative being funded by a generous $500,000 gift from Scotiabank to develop a program for Black students at the university. Through this program, our goal is to help Black students at Ontario Tech become aware of and know how to access the various wrap-around supports that are available to them as students. The idea is to provide Black students with as many tools as possible to ensure their success both during their time at the university and beyond. We do that by connecting students with mentorship and leadership opportunities, career planning resources, and networking sessions. We also provide access to alumni and professionals who can offer inspiration and guidance. We direct students to the different on-campus services that support skill development and overall success. 

What makes the BYVP unique among other student-centred initiatives at Ontario Tech? 

I think what makes this program unique is that it was built and developed based on the needs of the students. When the program was being developed, Yasmin, the program manager, met with Black Students on campus and held focus groups to determine what specific supports they were looking for. Having that direct input from students really influenced the way that the program was developed and helped ensure that it accurately meets their needs. 

What aspects of the BYVP resonated with your academic and professional goals as a PhD student 

I would say the one thing that I've noticed, especially as a student, is that once you get into a university, there is just so much information and it’s oftentimes hard to grasp what information is relevant to you, how to use it, where to go, and what people to talk to. The Black Youth Visionary Program is intended to provide personalized recommendations to students, give them information that is specific to their needs and alleviate the stress that comes with having so much information and feeling overwhelmed. What particularly resonates with me about this program is that Black students on campus have that person they can turn to, me, who can provide them with personalized recommendations and relevant information specifically for them. This helps cut through the noise of information coming from multiple sources about what's available and contributes to their academic and personal success. 

How does your PhD research (Public Health - focus on Black Canadians with Disabilities) intersect with your work with the BYVP? 

From personal experience and the research I’ve done, I’ve witnessed the ways in which academic systems historically have not been designed for Black students to succeed. I’ve experienced this firsthand, from my undergrad through to the PhD program. This is especially true for Black students with disabilities or those navigating the complexities of the academic system—it’s not always easy. This has made me hyper-aware that Black students may not always feel willing to or feel comfortable using the services available on campus. Often, they’re skeptical about whether these services are intended for them and whether they’ll benefit them. This awareness has helped me understand that this skepticism is one of the major barriers preventing Black students from achieving success. It has helped me shape my approach, giving me a specific lens that’s crucial when engaging with Black students. My goal is to ensure they feel safe, seen and confident enough to access different supports and services on campus. 

In what ways has your involvement in the BYVP expanded your understanding of equity and Black youth empowerment? 

I've seen firsthand the importance of having Black mentors—someone who understands your experiences in a cultural context and truly knows where you're coming from. Having someone like that to support you in your academic journey, whether by guiding you in the right direction or simply offering advice, can make a significant difference. I can see the potential impact that I can have in my role by providing guidance and mentorship to Black students because I've seen the meaningful impact it's had on me in the past.

How do you envision your engagement with the BYVP influencing your long-term career path? 

Coming into this role, I was still uncertain about what I wanted to do professionally once I finished my PhD. This experience has shown me that I like the face-to-face aspect that comes with supporting students. I love research, I love theory and I love all of the behind-the-scenes work, but this program has shown me the importance of those personal connections and building those relationships to serve as a mentor or support for Black students. So I think this role has shifted my career goals toward a more people-focused path, where I can provide direct, on-the-ground support. 

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