YELLOW HOUSE NEWSLETTER
Dedicated to empowering QTBIPoC students on campus with stories from the community, resources and important updates.
Happy Holidays! We know prepping for exams and finals can be stressful times and the pandemic doesn't make it easier for many. We've gathered some gems that are meant to bring you a slice of joy for your next study break! We are also giving you a peek at our events and programming coming up next term. You've got this! Looking forward to connecting with you in 2022!
THINGS TO READ AND LISTEN TO THIS BREAK
Books: I Hope we Choose Love: A Trans Girl's Notes from the End of the World by Kai Cheng Thom. This is the Queen's Reads book this year! We highly recommend. Click here to download the E-book! Learn more about the Queen's Reads program.

Wind down: If you're just trying to get through your finals, take a moment to de-stress with this guided meditation!

Dance Break: Take a 15 minute dance break and get down with this Afrobeats dance class!
MEET OUR NEW STUDENT STAFF!
We welcomed three new students to the Yellow House this term! Meet our new additions to the team and learn why they are excited about working with us:

Meet Reception Student Assistant, Vipushan Raveenthiranathan (he/him/his):
Vipushan is a first year Health Sciences student. He says, "Yellow House, to me, represents a truly safe space that does not make me feel like I need to separate parts of my identity from each other."


Meet Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Student Assistant, Jaida Egboye (she/her/hers): 
Jaida is a third year student who is majoring in sociology, minoring in philosophy and taking the law certificate. She says, "As a black woman who goes to a predominately white institution, Yellow Houses gives me a sense of comfort and belonging. It can be very easy to feel isolated in such a large institution, but Yellow House has shown me that there are likeminded individuals who also have the same passions and interest as me. Yellow House is extremely important to me as it shows how Queen’s is taking a step in the right direction to forge change and make campus a more inclusive space"


Meet Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Student Assistant: Karen Guan (she/her/hers): 
Karen is a first year Commerce student. She says, "Coming into Queen's University, I was eager to extend my social justice works and past experiences. After learning about the struggles on campus, I knew that there was a need for a collective space where underrepresented students can come, celebrate, and build off of one another's lived experiences and goals. To me, the Yellow House has been and continues to be a safe space that values and upholds that sense of community for underrepresented students. Through the various events and initiatives that the Yellow House sets up, I am optimistic that QTBIPOC students will achieve a greater sense of self, belonging, and empowerment through the similarities we all share."
WANT TO WORK WITH US THIS SUMMER?
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Do you have an interest in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and initiatives in relation to the student experience? Are you interested in strengthening your writing and communication skills? We might have an opportunity for you!

There are two SWEP positions up on MyCareer you might be interested in!

Student Assistant, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Programming #121338: This position will work closely with staff and student clubs in the Yellow House to develop and execute communication, programming and event plans that engage racialized students in initiatives that foster an inclusive campus culture, with a special focus on engaging peers in a hybrid in-person/remote environment. The successful candidate will learn about strategic communications, writing for web and social media forums, marketing, event planning and a variety of topics related to student equity, diversity and inclusion. The Student Assistant will support communication strategies and networking that helps build trust and recognition of the Yellow House as a safe, accountable, engaging and positive space for QTBIPoC students.
  • Note: In order to address the unique needs and concerns of BIPoC student communities, this opportunity is open only to qualified individuals who self-identify as, Black, Indigenous and/or person of colour. This initiative follows the provisions of a special program and special employment as outlined by the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Student Assistant, Sexual and Gender Diversity Programming #121371:
The Student Assistant, Sexual and Gender Diversity Programming: This position will work closely with staff and student clubs in the Yellow House to develop and execute programming, event plans and communications that engage 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer) students in initiatives that foster an inclusive campus culture, with a special focus on engaging peers in a hybrid in-person/remote environment. The successful candidate will learn about strategic communications, writing for web and social media forums, marketing, event planning and a variety of topics related to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The Student Assistant will support communication strategies and networking that help build trust and recognition of the Yellow House as a safer, accountable, engaging and positive space for QTBIPoC students.
  • Note: In order to address the unique needs and concerns of 2SLGBTQ+ student communities, this opportunity is open only to qualified individuals who self-identify as 2SLGBTQ+ (which does not include allies at this time). This initiative follows the provisions of a special program as outlined by the Ontario Human Rights Commission: 
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We have been hard at work developing a 2SLGBTQ+ programming plan for the upcoming semesters and we are excited to share our ideas with you. If you are interested in learning about our programming and providing feedback, please register for a session with the Sexual and Gender Diversity Advisor, Kel Martin, on Wednesday, January 26, 4:30-5:30. Link to sign up.
WINTER PROGRAMMING
TO LOOK FORWARD TO FROM YELLOW HOUSE
Music Therapy with E.L. Adams for BIPoC Students
We will have a music therapy session for BIPoC students in mid-January. Keep an eye out for registration on our Instagram the first week you are back!
ART Hive Pop Ups: Empowerment Theme February and March
We will have two events next term in collaboration with the Agnes Art Hive! One in February specifically for Black students virtually on Empowerment. The other will be in-person for QTBIPoC students on March 24th 7-8:30pm. Registration pages coming soon. Keep an eye out on our Instagram!
Loving Our Skin - February
10, 2021 - Registration Available
The founders of skincare Black-owned company, Afiya Beauty, will join us to talk about all of the ways we can love the skin we are in. This talk will be filled with empowerment for our Black students as well as self care tips to keep glowing all winter long. Sign up here!
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
We post all of our event details as well as other fun content on our Instagram!
FOR US BY US TOOLKIT: NEW RESOURCE ALERT!
Black Hair Resources
We know it can be very hard to find stylists who can manage Black hair in Kingston! So we've compiled this list of local Black braiders, barbers, stylists. This resource also includes tutorials for passion twists, braiding and crotchet braids. Click here to download the Black hair resource list. Check out the rest of the toolkit content here!
Yellow House Study Playlist

We asked you on instagram which songs you listen to to study! This list includes your favourite tunes.

"Yellow House, to me, represents a truly safe space that does not make me feel like I need to separate parts of my identity from each other."
- Vipushan Raveenthiranathan,
Yellow House Reception Student Assistant
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