Two Western students launch podcast highlighting systemic inequities in Black health
The Black Aspiration Project podcast is part of a larger initiative highlighting racial disparities
Two students from Western University are at the forefront of a new podcast that gives a platform to Black health-care workers to share experiences and challenges faced by their communities in the industry.
Kaya Anderson and Ulrica Samuels are the hosts of the Black Aspiration Project podcast which started at the end of 2023. So far, they've released three episodes featuring interviews with prominent voices in Black health.
"I really wanted to get involved more with Black health advocacy, as health care is the route that I want to take after my undergrad," said Samuels, a fourth-year kinesiology student.
The Black Aspiration Project podcast is part of a larger academic series highlighting disparities in Black health that includes a virtual community forum and a keynote lecture happening in March at Western.
Representation in healthcare is important
For Samuels, working on the podcast opened her eyes to the many barriers Black people face in the health sector and why Black representation in the healthcare industry is important.
"I have learned a lot, especially within this field," Samuels told CBC London Morning's host Andrew Brown. "I think a lot of [Black] people do have that lack of trust, just from the ways in the past, and currently the way people have been treated in the healthcare system… It's important to have that representation so that we can start building back trust as well."
WATCH: Podcasters describe the guests and what they've learned
People often think of numbers when they research but sharing stories and experiences are equally important as well, Samuels said.
"A lot of research out there is focused on numbers and quantitative data. I think that this type of research is really important and even though it's not quantitative, it's something that people need to hear about and people need to read about."
Anderson became interested in learning more about Black health at a young age through her mother, a health-care provider, who has worked with many marginalized communities.
"[My mom] is a midwife who works in Toronto and works in an area of the city that has a lot of Black people, people of colour," said Anderson, a third-year student majoring in gender and women studies. "I grew up watching the work she does, so it really hit close to home."
Anderson learned about the systemic inequities the Black community continues to face and which route she wants to take after undergrad.
Prof is mentor
"I personally have struggled with what to do after undergrad so the podcast and the interviews have opened my eyes to a bunch of different people," said Anderson. "We work with people who are researchers, professors, healthcare providers so just seeing different opportunities and different things I can do after this degree."
The Black Aspiration Project was initiated by Western assistant professor Cornel Grey. Although the initiative is overseen by Grey, he wanted to give his students the opportunity to organize and host the podcast, knowing they would pursue the project creatively.
"I think of The Black Aspiration Project as very much a community initiative," said Grey. "I wanted talented, eager and enthusiastic students who would be able to bring a kind of creativity to the project or an insight to our perspective that I might not be able to offer."
He hopes the podcast will spark important conversations on providing support to the Black community.
"Hopefully it generates a conversation that's kicking tables about how might we better take care of Black folks," said Grey.
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.
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