Three Concordia undergraduate students are among the 2021 recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal. The award recognizes the involvement and determination of Quebecers who have had a positive influence in their own community or throughout Quebec.
“I would like to congratulate our three outstanding Concordians on earning this prestigious award,” says Concordia President Graham Carr. “They are exceptional leaders who are committed to tackling critical issues that matter both locally and globally.”
The Honourable J. Michel Doyon recognized Camina Harrison-Chéry, Celeste-Melize Ferrus and Isaiah Joyner for their hard work and dedication.
Meet the winners
Camina Harrison-Chéry
Communication Studies, Faculty of Arts and Science
For the past two years, Camina Harrison-Chéry has put her multidisciplinary skills to work facilitating international community development through the student-run organization Community Empowerment Education Development Concordia. In her role as outreach coordinator, she was responsible for recruiting and training Concordians to intern with partner community organizations in Gulu, Uganda.
Harrison-Chéry has also been an outspoken advocate for Black students and the marginalization they continue to face. Her multimedia work “Beyond the Margins,” which was a part of the SPARK! Depictions of Engagement exhibition at 4TH SPACE in fall 2020, attempted to position the audience in the role of an incoming Black student in a predominantly white institution. While juggling her studies and community leadership roles, she has also found the time to establish UrbanWrapper, a startup selling handmade head wraps and celebrating Black culture.