Since being named George Brown College’s director of anti-racism, equity, and human rights services, Jennifer Grant has spent the last four weeks transitioning part-time into her new position.

“I think the work that needs to be done when we’re thinking about anti-racism is always transformational work. We’re always looking at this journey towards a reimagined space and place that none of us have lived in,” says Grant.

The director of anti-racism, equity, and human rights services is a new position that was created in the summer of 2020 to meet objective two of GBC’s anti-racism strategy which involved increasing Black and Indigenous representation. Grant was motivated to apply as she wants to be involved in creating spaces where people feel like they belong.

“When I read the position, how it read to me, is a position that supports the college in creating a space where folks feel like they belong and I was drawn to that,” says Grant.

One of Grant’s main responsibilities will be heading the anti-racism and equity advisory committee. She attended her first meeting this week on March 24. At this meeting, they discussed the committee’s work and how they will be moving forward.

“The journey is long but when you have the kind of skill and enthusiasm, excitement that you see on the committee it feels like the journey will be constructive and positive,” says Grant.

Grant’s current objectives for this position are rooted in getting to know the priorities and needs of others, but she also hopes to be able to create positive spaces in the future where people know they can get the support they need.

“Right now, my focus is really building relationships, is understanding the needs of folks we are working for or servicing, and understanding how to build those into the priorities,” says Grant. “My goals are secondary to that. I might have my own wishes and dreams around what I want to see happen, but I don’t think that can hold priority.”

“I hope to create spaces where folks feel like they can walk in and again have that space where they can connect and feel supported and feel like they can get the right information at the right time and their needs met.”

Grant has been working in GBC’s child and youth care faculty for 14 years. She is hoping her expertise as a teacher and her connection to the student community will be beneficial to her work in her new role.

“I’m hoping that what I bring is a way to elevate the voice of students. I’ve worked with students. I’ve seen both their joy and what’s not working and bringing that mindfully into our planning is something that I think I can bring,” says Grant.

She is currently in the director position part-time, as she finishes up her teaching responsibilities. She is hoping to move into the director position in a full-time capacity come May.

“I’m finishing faculty work and then I’m taking a little bit of time off to do that necessary mental transition one makes between positions and then May I’ll be on board full time having left my faculty work behind,” says Grant.

“It’ll be nice to move into something new but, like anything, I’m saying goodbye to something I’ve been doing for a while,” says Grant.