Qy'Darrius McEachern
Qy'Darrius McEachern
Qy'Darrius Z. McEachern is a Black, able-bodied, cisgender man from a low-income background who has committed himself to researching & educating people on the systemic oppressions impacting us every single day through an antiracist lens.
Qy'Darrius Z. McEachern is a Black, able-bodied, cisgender man from a low-income background who has committed himself to researching & educating people on the systemic oppressions impacting us every single day through an antiracist lens.
He earned his Bachelors’ degree in Psychology with minors in Social and Economic Justice and Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and attended Texas State University to earn his Master’s degree in Higher Education. He is also a PROUD member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
Qy’Darrius is a national speaker + consultant who strives to support offices, organizations, workplaces, schools, and more in an effort to create equitable spaces and innovate justice for individuals of color.
He aims to move people from “listening & learning” to ACTION & CHANGE.
PROGRAMS
It Takes a Village
Keynote | Workshop | Virtual | Retreat
We all can pinpoint specific moments in our lives where we reach a stark pivot point in our journey. Like where we think about life before and life after that specific moment.
Like before you met your lifelong best friend, and life after.
Like before Beyoncè released Lemonade, the visual album, and life after.
Like before March 2020, and life after March 2020.
For Q, he had a few of those moments in college. The unexpected loss of his father and grandmother within 8 months of each other sent him into a spiral filled with depression, anxiety, and difficulty. In those worst times, it wasn’t “the grind,” his coursework, or his responsibilities as a student leader that helped him find peace again.
It was his village.
The village of people around him who helped him pick up the pieces and become whole again.
But this program isn’t about Q’s village only…
It’s about yours!
This keynote focuses on acknowledging the importance of our support systems, the power in connection, and ensuring that we are pouring into those who pour into us. Because we need each other more than we think we do sometimes.
Audience members will…
Understand the importance of guidance, advocacy, and asking for help when things get hard.
Process through their connections and relationship, who is a part of their own “village”, and whose support system are they a part of.
Explore strategies for building connections at their college with peers, faculty, and staff as means of encouraging success as student leaders.
Ideal Audiences
- Orientation/First Year Experience
- Leadership Development
- Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Mental Health/Wellness
- Student Success
More Than Black Boxes: The Negative Impacts of Performative Activism on Real People
Keynote | Workshop | Virtual | Retreat
Remember that day everyone’s Instagram feed turned black? June 2, 2020 was called #BlackOutTuesday and it has been described as one of the most-widespread demonstrations of protest in the history of social media.
It made a lot of people feel good and like they were engaging in true activism.
Qy’Darrius (Q) reflects on this day and subsequent examples of online activism in this signature program and asks, “what if it was more important for Black people to be liberated from anti-Black racism than it is for you to be perceived as a good person?”
This question gets to the heart of a core issue of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; the appearance of allyship without true advocacy is hollow, dangerous, and creates toxic spaces for Black students, faculty, and staff.
This dynamic program is intended to challenge and inspire those who want to do good to truly do better.
Audience members will…
Explore examples of performative allyship
Identify ways in which people of good intention can fall into the trap of slacktivism
Consider the short- and long-term impacts of performance on Black students, faculty, and staff
Develop strategies to move from performative actions to true activism for justice
Ideal Audiences
- Fraternity and Sorority Life
- Residence Life
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Initiatives
- Community Colleges
[micro]AGGRESSIONS: A Discussion on Power, Privilege, and Culture
Workshop | Virtual | Retreat
There’s nothing small about microaggressions. Their impact and cumulative weight are more than any individual can and should endure. For too long these words and phrases have been used without considering their harm.
In this thought-provoking and interactive program, Q helps audience members to develop a deeper understanding of how language matters related to inclusivity. In doing so, he guides a dialogue on the dynamics of power and privilege through the lens of language, and how word choice can influence group dynamics. Through powerful activities and dialogue, attendees will better understand how to foster inclusivity and challenge themselves to lead and support students authentically.
Ideal Audiences
- Fraternity and Sorority Life
- Residence Life
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Initiatives
- Professional Development
- Community Colleges
Audience members will…
Explore the concept of microaggressions and how it impacts individuals and groups
Dialogue about how language is a manifestation of power dynamics
Develop strategies related to fostering inclusivity and respect through the minimization and elimination of microaggressions
