“Educate. Empower. Elevate.”
There are layers of meaning in the design of NAIT’s Black History Month hoodies, a project led by Ola Odanye, community and belonging specialist and chair of the NAIT Black Employee Excellence Network.
Learn more about Black History Month programs and events at NAIT
The words
First, there’s the slogan: “Educate. Empower. Elevate.”
“The slogan speaks to a lot of things,” says Odanye, who developed it in a collaboration with other staff and students from the Black community at the polytechnic.
“We need to educate people about experiences, Black experiences.”
We also need to ensure opportunities for underrepresented people, Odanye adds. Then we need to raise their voices up.
The colours
Accompanying the three words, in addition to black, are three colours.
“These colours are very symbolic,” says Odanye. They draw parallels to the pan-African flag.
Red stands for the bloodshed associated with liberation, he explains; green for the natural wealth of the continent; and yellow for justice and equality.
Taking (subtle) action
In promoting equality, “sometimes we cannot use our voices,” says Odanye.
“Sometimes we cannot use our words, or we cannot write.
"But we can take subtle action.”
That can include wearing something that shows support.
“I'm trying to pass along the message that NAIT is an inclusive place. This is for everybody, regardless of who you are or where you're from.”