Downsview Advocacy: Exploring the experiences of Black mothers with children in childcare settings

BY: Sarosh Sawani

Janelle Brady, (She/her) is an Anti-Racist Educator, Activist-Researcher and Community Organizer. She is also a co-founder and Director of a social enterprise, the Downsview Advocate, a local newspaper in Toronto’s north end. In a recent interview, she expressed her passion and commitment to exploring the experiences of Black mothers with children in childcare settings.

When asked what is her current research project and how she thinks it will help the community, she said:

Currently I am working alongside Dr. Rachel Berman on a research project that explores the experiences of Black mothers with children in childcare settings which is funded by the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University. I think it might support the community by amplifying the significant and often understudied roles that Black mothers play in system navigation. It can also support the community by highlighting the recommendations and ideas that Black mothers have which can lead to more transformative spaces within and beyond childcare.

I also asked her what outcomes she is hoping for through her research project.

A possible outcome would be to have more opportunities where Black mothers can share their ideas, experiences, and thoughts. Rather than taking a colour-blind approach, this can lead to the centering of stories, thoughts and initiatives that help create change. It is more widely understood now that when we talk about our differences we can find our similarities. Through narratives, meaningful connections can be made. By addressing and confronting anti-Black racism from early on, communities can support challenging all forms of social exclusion. Another possible outcome would be a wider understanding of how anti-Black racism shows up in early childhood contexts but not simply left there but rather challenged through collective change.

Due to her dynamic advocacy role, when asked what her future research projects focus would be and the rationale behind choosing them, she said:

In future, I would like to explore some of the past anti-racism initiatives as led by Black Elders and how these translated to policy in early childhood and care in Toronto. I hope to better understand where some of these initiatives are today and why some halted suddenly in the 1990s. I think this is important because understanding history helps provide important lessons for today and in future. As well, I would like to understand the experiences of Black Early Childhood Educators and how they support the children, families, and communities that they work with because Black ECEs often play important roles behind the scenes to not only do their job but also challenge anti-Black racism and other systemic barriers.

Lastly, she shared how community members can also get involved in her research project.

Members of the community can feel free to reach out to our research team to offer their insights and or to sign up to future project recruitment efforts. The email address to get in touch is ecs.blackstudies@torontomu.ca.