Honors Student Uses Mindfulness to Combat the Stigma of Mental Health

Queens University’s proximity to Charlotte has allowed Ryan Byrd ‘24 to cultivate an intense passion for mindfulness and yoga that has blossomed during his time as a Royal. Thanks to his unique academic experience as a human services studies major and the close connections he has made with faculty, staff, and fellow students, Byrd has big aspirations of combatting the stigma of mental health in Black and brown communities with mindfulness—and he is already making strides in this effort through his leadership roles on campus.

The Durham-native’s decision to attend Queens was made clear from his initial interactions with the university.

“Everything about the application process at Queens flowed really abundantly for me,” Byrd explained. “I applied to the honors program and was accepted. Then, I received a generous scholarship offer that helped solidify my decision to become a Royal.”

Although he began his undergraduate studies as a business major, he soon discovered that he was searching for something different. He switched to human services studies and added a minor in philosophy to encompass a wider range of his interests.

“Changing gears and getting really involved with different leadership opportunities shaped me into who I am today,” said Byrd. “I am really interested in wellness and the mindfulness sector and am finetuning ways to use my own passions for yoga and breath work to serve the Black and brown communities—who I feel haven’t always had access and visual representation to these ancient and beautiful practices.”

After working at a YMCA during high school, Byrd decided to get involved at the Dowd YMCA in South End to build deeper connections with the Charlotte community. With Queens being just minutes up the road from the center of the city, he was grateful that he could learn about the practice of yoga while being immersed in a diverse, multigenerational and multicultural community center.

“Queens’ curriculum and amazing community of people have created a space for me to grow in ways I could have never imagined,” Byrd said. “I have been able to conduct research about topics that interest me with intentional guidance from faculty. The support of staff and faculty is unmatched.”

When asked about who has impacted him most during his time as a student, Byrd expressed that it is so hard to narrow it down because of the long list of individuals who have influenced him at Queens. He expresses gratitude for the guidance of Darryl White Sr., assistant dean of diversity, inclusion and community engagement, as well as LaDarius Thompson, Ed.D., director of the center for academic community engagement.

“Mr. White serves as a father-figure to many on campus and is always quick to lend an ear or offer wisdom,” said Byrd. “I am also grateful to Dr. Thompson. He inspires me by always being unapologetically himself. He was the person who really saw potential in my mindfulness practice and invested in my collection of singing bowls so I could share this practice with the Queens community.”

Byrd has held various mentorship roles on campus and currently serves as the president of the Black Student Union. He has hosted various sound meditations in partnerships with departments across campus to encourage mental health and well-being.

Currently, he is completing an internship sponsored by GardHouse with a Charlotte-based mindfulness and leadership organization called Messy Roots. He hopes to acquire mindfulness and yoga teaching certifications in the season to come and is considering furthering his education to become a counselor after he graduates in May of 2024.

“Queens has prepared me for my future in ways I am so grateful for,” Byrd said. “I have discovered things about myself during my time here that will forever change how I engage the world around me.”