International Journal on Homelessness (IJOH)’s Post

I'm deeply grateful for the recent opportunity to present at the International Journal On Homelessness (IJOH) conference in Santiago, Chile alongside my colleague Olawale Olubowale PhD. We shared our research on "Exploring the Experiences of Black Youth Navigating Homelessness in Canada" - a critical study for 360°kids, which examines the intersection of anti-Black racism, structural barriers and youth homelessness. Our presentation highlighted concerning statistics: while approximately 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness annually, there's been a stark gap in research specifically focusing on Black youth experiences. Our work aims to address this knowledge gap and inform the development of culturally relevant support services. What made this conference particularly meaningful was the chance to engage with international researchers and practitioners working to address homelessness through an equity lens. The discussions that followed our presentation reinforced the global importance of understanding how systemic racism and colonialism shape experiences of homelessness. Special thanks to International Journal on Homelessness (IJOH) for providing this platform to share our findings and contribute to the broader dialogue on creating more equitable solutions for youth experiencing homelessness. #HomelessnessResearch #SocialJustice #YouthAdvocacy #GlobalPerspectives #IJOH2024