Black History Month Blog Series: Rys-Ann Whyne

Meet Rys-Ann (she/her), a proud graduate of the Social Work Program in 2020. Rys-Ann is from Jamaica, where she lived for 17 years. She then migrated to Canada in 2014 to attend Red Deer Polytechnic.

"When I hear Black Excellence, I think about achievements by people of colour being highlighted and negative stereotypes being challenged. Black Excellence speaks volumes and represents the triumph and talents of people of colour.

One prominently defining moment in Black History that I am proud of is the establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the early 1800s in the USA. Historically, people of colour were denied admission into post-secondary institutions. So, these Black Colleges allowed people of colour to be in safe/welcoming spaces while having minds nurtured and educated by people who shared the same experiences. When I think about this accomplishment, I am reminded of the courageousness in pursuing social justice and the right to education with the resilience to overcome racial injustices. 

I have experienced barriers of racism and discrimination in my journey. Despite that, I continue to be proud of who I am and what I have accomplished by earning my place in Social Work. My commitment is to walk alongside and empower other people of colour while helping them navigate systemic barriers as I share in their journey. 

My advice to anyone experiencing racism is to stay true to and proud of who you are. Find ways to remind yourself of your strength, always stay connected to your roots and take courage in the legacy of those who have come before us, who faced many adversities and still fought for equality and justice. And, allies have the responsibility to educate themselves on the injustices, provide a voice, and need to challenge bias, racism, and prejudice in the spaces they arise."