Becoming a trailblazer: How Justice Studies alum Tenisha Noel is empowering Black youth

It was a Wednesday in August when University of Guelph-Humber Justice Studies alum (class of 2024) Tenisha Noel was studying for her Master of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law School when she got a call in a moment that she described as “profound.” Someone from the Ontario government was calling to let her know that she would be receiving the prestigious 2025 Lieutenant Governor's Lincoln M. Alexander Award for being a fierce advocate for justice, inclusion, and empowering Black youth.  

She was stunned – and then came the tears of joy. Tenisha knew this award was not hers alone; it belonged just as much to the communities she serves. 

“I would say the legacy of Lincoln Alexander represents courage, integrity, and the power of leadership and service. He was truly a pioneer in the legal field. He broke so many racial barriers in Canadian history in his life,” Tenisha said of the award’s namesake, who was a prominent Black Canadian lawyer and politician (the first Black Canadian to be a member of Parliament in the House of Commons). “[Leadership is only] truly impactful when you create the pathway for others.” 

Her journey to becoming a “trailblazer” – the activities and initiatives she participated in that led her to being honoured with this award – began during her time at the University of Guelph-Humber. 

As a student, she always knew she wanted to create ripples of positive social change, taking inspiration from her lived experiences. Growing up in the Eglinton West community, she said she witnessed how systemic barriers can limit opportunities for marginalized people who lack access and representation. Seeing this ignited her passion for justice and inclusion, and the desire to change the narrative.  

At Guelph-Humber, Tenisha wasn’t afraid to harness each opportunity to build the necessary skills she’d need to be successful to achieve her goals. She participated in various endeavours. To hone leadership skills, she was a Senior First Year Experience leader, and program liaison for Black Student Support and Engagement. To build on her in-class learning, she conducted research about restorative justice with U of GH’s Dr. Laura MacDiarmid (and presented it in Chicago), as well as held a research assistant position with the Soka Education Research Centre on Global Citizenship (SERC-GC) that brought her to Japan, broadening cultural perspectives. She also built connections with peers as an academic program representative for the Humber Polytechnic/Guelph-Humber student union IGNITE, and served as the vice president of activities at U of GH’s Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honour Society. Additionally, Tenisha was named a 2024 Guelph-Humber Woman of Distinction during the inaugural recognition ceremony on International Women’s Day.  

But it’s the work she’s doing outside the University, impacting the community at large, that led to her being honoured with the Lieutenant Governor's Lincoln M. Alexander Award – as well as being listed on the Canada International Black Women Excellence 2025 Top 100 Black Women to Watch List and being a recipient of the 2025 Black North Youth Leadership Award. 

Tenisha believes that many people undermine the power of youth; but the power is always within them and is unleashed when they’re given the tools to succeed. Helping racialized youth find their power is her passion, and she’s doing this through working with numerous initiatives/groups, like with ONE City Scholarship Fund (this is also the group that nominated her for the Lieutenant Governor's Lincoln M. Alexander Award), Afrika Outbound, and Girl Impact. This work includes mentoring youth. 

“I recognized professional development is sometimes hard for youth, especially youth from the Black community or marginalized youth, especially if you grow up in a lower income area… I want to help create systems and spaces where everyone has a fair opportunity to thrive,” she explained. “I’m able to teach and use the skills that I’ve learned to develop myself professionally so I could help youth become trailblazers in their own field.”  

Moreover, when learning that she was named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch this year, Tenisha said this highlighted the value of women celebrating other women, adding that it was an “amazing feeling” to be honoured with so many stellar Black women. As someone who regularly mentors youth, this was a valuable chance to meet other women who could be her mentor. 

“To hear their stories and how inspiring they are, and being able to gain new mentors, to learn from them, to be part of this group now, there’s a strength in sisterhood,” Tenisha said of being part of the list.  

As Tenisha continues to carve new pathways out for herself and others and work towards earning her Master of Laws, she will always cherish the time she spent as a Guelph-Humber student. Her message to current students is to take advantage of every opportunity they come across at U of GH because four years flies by.  

“I'm always thankful for the experiences that Guelph-Humber has given me to become a trailblazer and be able to become a mentor and a leader,” Tenisha said, reminiscing.  

Looking to blaze your own trail? Justice Studies is one of seven programs at the University of Guelph-Humber that will open doors. Learn more here.

And come visit our campus during our Fall Open House on November 22, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to discover what Guelph-Humber has to offer! Click here.