YAIJ Team Supporters

I love roller skating, camping, hiking, and all things tennis. 

I'm a mom, author, educator, Registered Nurse, and education researcher. 

I'm also a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in the lower mainland. My area of research is special education. My PhD thesis examines how race and dis/ability impact teacher practice. 

I like a little good trouble (thanks civil rights activist John Lewis!).

When I'm not trying to solve mystery novels or devouring any form of potato, I love spending time with my fluffy dog, Marlowe, and my husband, Jamil. 

I teach high school English in British Columbia on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam Nations. 

In addition to being a teacher, I recently graduated with my Master’s degree in Education from Simon Fraser University. 

I'm passionate about social justice and work hard to better understand how I can help to make systemic changes in the education system.

HI, my name is Muna and I am currently finishing up my Ph.D. in Gender Studies at Queen’s University, where I also completed my M.A. My research interests pertain to Black feminist literary production, archives, and contemporary Black print counter-publics in the Atlantic world. Outside of my professional interests, I also spend my days enjoying quality time with my family and friends, watching reality tv and making way too many playlists. I am so excited to be joining the team and hopefully contributing to the meaningful work YAIJ does around racial (and) disability justice. 

  Hi, my name is George and I am a 12th-grade high school student in Ontario. I am very interested in coding, sleeping, robotics, sports(soccer, basketball, boxing), music( rap, pop, jazz and a bit of classical music), math, and creative writing. I am currently in grade 12 but on the side, I am both writing a book and playing two instruments: the clarinet and violin. 

I have also created a self-driving car model for a science fair project and competed in the Alice Munro Short Story Festival. I have finished writing my first-ever book, which has been my passion project since I was 7. 

One thing I don't often share is that I am autistic, though I have never met other neurodiverse youth like myself. I am excited to be part of something that works with people similar to me and helps unify people of all different types of backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities. 

I am a sustainability researcher who firmly believes social equity is crucial for environmental sustainability. My research on food security in remote islands and mental health in racialized groups has revolutionized my perception of health and wellness. Since then, I’ve become a passionate health equity advocate and have made it my life’s mission to decolonize health research and destigmatize mental health within marginalized communities.

I’m the co-founder of neurokin – a platform committed to creating a safer and more inclusive space for folks of colour to bridge the gap to ADHD/autism diagnosis and care.

Despite often feeling like an outsider since moving to Canada from Bangladesh three years ago, I find a deep sense of belonging among neurodivergent youth and those working to dismantle oppressive systems. I love going on long walks while plotting to disrupt the status quo.

I love getting out on the track to race karts and cars. My favorite season is summer - I can work out outside, enjoy the sun and go camping. 

I'm finishing up high school, which was difficult. I plan on going to college (Mohawk) to study automotive technology. 

YAIJ is important to me because I matter, youth like me matter, and we should be able to feel safe, accepted and feel like we belong. Being invisible and rejected is not ok. I'm ready to make waves to get justice for youth like me. 

 Hi, I'm Shane.

I'm in high school in Toronto and would like to work as a plumber, or an uber driver when I graduate (maybe I'll do both).

I love everything related to cars. That's my hobby. 

I want people to see me for who I am and not my labels. 

I'm friendly, and like to meet new people.

Please listen carefully to what I have to say.

 Hi I'm a full-stack software engineer and a Mental Health Studies specialist student at the University of Toronto Scarborough. I'm also the co-founder & CEO of Neurokin, a platform for marginalized neurodivergent folks to find an inclusive space to bridge the gap to ADHD & Autism assessment and diagnosis and discover their full potential !

Hi I'm Aaron, I live on unceded territory of the Musqueam and Coast Salish People in BC, where I grew up. And I teach science in secondary school in unceded Squamish territory.

I like being active, but I also like relaxing. I’m into cooking, listening to podcasts about music and movies, and hiking with my wife. In my twenties I lived in Japan for 6 years. That’s where I met my wife and became fluent in Japanese. To this day, I love travelling.

I am a lifelong student with three degrees; a Bachelor of Science with a major in Marine Biology from UBC, a Bachelor of Education with a specialization in secondary science from UBC, and a Master of Education with a specialization in Equity Studies from Simon Fraser.

Hi! I am a passionate advocate for accessibility, anti-racism and mental health and I serve as an active and socially conscious member of the community in various roles. I hope to learn from and contribute to the improvement and development of YAIJ and its mandates by drawing on my lived experiences and perspectives as a black,  neurodiverse woman. West coast based in So-called Vancouver.