Welcome to Positively Black in Southwestern Ontario

Who We Are

Positively Black in Southwestern Ontario (SWO) is a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) sponsored community-based research project working with an interdisciplinary team of Black scholars and different stakeholders across SWO.

This project collaboratively explores the unique and under-documented forms of marginalization negotiated by Black youth across five cities in Southwestern Ontario (SWO), namely London, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia, St. Thomas, and Windsor.

The team includes 13 University Researchers from Western University, King's University College at Western University, University of Windsor, Toronto Metropolitan University, and University of Toronto Scarborough. The team also includes 17 Advisory Committee members and seven Virtual Hub Support members dedicated to shaping the future of Black youth research in SWO.

Our Mission Statement

We are "Positively Black." Our overarching aim is to help raise the next generation of Black youths who are bold, confident, and ready to make an impact in their communities. Our core mission is to provide high-quality research using evidence-based strategic plans and policies to improve the holistic development of Black youth throughout Southwestern Ontario communities.

Our Vision Statement

To be the trusted leader and preferred information hub in projecting the positivity of Black youth and shaping Black youth research in Southwestern Ontario communities.

Our Core Values

Our ten guiding core values enhance our commitment to the project and deliver outstanding results:

Positivity, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Community Oriented, Innovation, Empathy, Trust, Impact, Integrity, and Empowerment.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN SDGs

Source: United Nations

We strive to incorporate seven of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals into our project's strategy to make it more innovative and positively support the development of Black youth in SWO. These include good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.

To learn more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals, visit their website.