Brittany Andrew-Amofah

I get a lot of inquiries — questions from the public about who I am. These questions often revolve around my age; where I went to school; or how I got involved in my line of work. Although these questions sound pretty standard, still, nine times out of 10, my response is met with a gasp of shock or a look of confusion.

I have always welcomed this sort of curiosity about myself. As a Black woman who dabbles in policy, politics and media, many probably wonder how I made it happen. I wasn't raised in a political family, nor did I grow up being politically active. I went to college before I went to university, and up until a few years ago, I didn't know where to properly place a semicolon.

What you are about to read is a just a glimpse into my story: what I have learned during my short time on this planet, and how Brittany Andrew-Amofah came to be.

I have not always been political, even though political decisions have dictated almost every aspect of my life. My relationship with politics grew out of my experiences living in social housing. From the age of three, I grew up in Toronto Community Housing complex, which was situated on the borders of pre-amalgamated Toronto. While I technically resided in North York, I attended East York schools as a child and played at my local park in Scarborough. Almost every morning when I was young, I would look out my window, wishing that the borders that prevented me from going to the school across the street would disappear.

I always make a point to tell this aspect about my life. The inexplicable connection I have to Toronto runs between boroughs and across subway lines. It was due to the complexities of my geographical location and my relationship to place, space and belonging, that sparked my then-budding passion for municipal governance.

It was then at the age of 15, where I learnt the art and value of advocacy. In 2005, my basement began being flooded with feces and urine. The smell was so awful that we had to open up the windows just to stay in the house. The dark tinted liquid would line the floor of my basement, cutting off access to our laundry facilites and back door. For months, the flooding was on and off, and for months my mother would call and report it. It wasn't until she wrote a letter to management when they transferred us. Our move was only possibly because my mother decided to not let the situation go. Although we were poor, she knew and fought for our right to live somewhere safe.

It is no coincidence that I gravitated towards social policy and political advocacy. Housing, childcare, transit and safe communities were all areas that deeply affected my life and mobility as a Black woman in Toronto. In order to make things better, my work is centered on my personal recipe for creating social change: policy, politics and media.

Policy

Learning how policies are introduced, formulated and implemented is essential to creating long-lasting change within our governance and our political system. Policies govern our lives and relationship to our world; if we can change and influence policies, we can unlock the potential for future generations to come.

Political Advocacy

I didn't have somewhat of an understanding of our political system until my early 20s and didn't have an accurate understanding of it until I went to graduate school. My work is now grounded in encouraging and supporting Black progressive candidates and/or ideas. Political literacy and advocacy among the Black community can foster a sense of belonging and desire to not only fight for change, but to incite motivation upon seeing positive results.

Media

Learning how and when to use the media, whether that be TV, podcasting, radio or YouTube to communicate a message is essential for reaching a broader audience—primarily those who don't share your opinion. For social change to occur, we need to reach the minds of those beyond our sphere, and enter into the spaces of those we would never normally meet. I hosted a small community radio show at 26; a year later, a column I wrote was broadcasted on national TV.

As a Black woman navigating through these spaces, I've not only had to fight for respect from my peers and colleagues, but I also had to convince myself that I deserved to be there. Building confidence and self-esteem around my knowledge, skills and ability took time. It took self-reflection, separating myself from those who didn't respect my work and resilience to kee me going.

It also took me understanding that, as Black people, we must honour a recognize our ancestors, and those that have helped reinforce our purpose. Here, I'd like to thank Kike Ojo (a brilliant anti-racism educator), Nana Yanful (the first Black lawyer I ever met) and Priscilla Andrew (my mother and the strongest woman I know), for showing me that what we may think is the impossible can actually be done.

In case you were wondering here are the answers to the questions above: My name is Brittany Andrew-Amofah, I'm 27 years old; I did my Master's in Political Management at Carleton University; and this work is simply my calling.

Brittany is a public affairs commentator, community organizer and advocate for diverse representation in our political system. Her work has been featured in the CBC, TVO, Globe and Mail, NOW Toronto and more. Brittany's work focuses on bridging the world of politics, policy and social justice with a specific emphasis on race, gender and class. She is currently completing her Master's in Political Management at Carleton University and working in the field of social policy.