Meet Activate TU’s presidential candidate: Tyrell Mann-Barnes

Tyrell is a junior, double-majored in English and biology at Temple University, but that’s only the beginning.

He not only advocates for meaningful change, he actively pursues it as Activate TU’s presidential candidate for Temple Student Government.

“Being committed to creating meaningful change is something I’ve done throughout my life. I’ll continue that passion for the rest of it,” said Tyrell.

“Activate TU is built around fostering inclusion and creating space in which diversity can thrive,” he explained. Activate TU’s three pillars are as follows: “Reform What Exists, Engage all Voices, and Activate Relationships.”

He firmly believes in the importance of having inclusive conversations and creating purposeful and meaningful relationships in order for all voices to be heard in those conversations.

Photo by Shefa Ahsan

Tyrell has known he wanted to be involved in this sort of position since before he even became a Temple Owl.

“When I stepped foot onto this campus at orientation in 2014, I knew that I wanted to get involved and to make a difference. As a result, I made sure to be present in every space with the intention of learning and growing.”

The three pillars of Activate TU desire to create change through active inclusiveness for all, something Tyrell passionately advocates for.

“I strongly believe that it is my purpose in life to be an agent of change and by being a part of Activate TU, I am around people who are also passionate about being an agent of change who also have the experience in doing so.”

Activate’s three running candidates in order: Kayla Martin, Tyrell Mann-Barnes, and Paige Hill (Photo: Shefa Ahsan)

Tyrell wears many hats on Temple’s campus. Besides running for student office, Tyrell is a resident assistant, an Owl Ambassador, the director of Campus Life and Diversity for TSG, and the vice president of Student Activist Against Sexual Assault (SAASA).

Tyrell spreads his love for Temple through his positions as an RA and Owl Ambassador.  As an RA, Tyrell views his role as being an important resource to his residents. He works hard to create safe spaces that encourage dialogue around identity, sexuality, and personality.

“It is my philosophy that if you lead as an individual, you can inspire other people to fully own, love, and be themselves.”

As an Owl Ambassador, Tyrell gives tours to prospective Temple students and their families. Tyrell knew he was fit for this job the moment he toured Temple for the first time.

“My favorite moments are when giving a group tour to a group of high school students and seeing them get so excited about Temple by the end of my tour,” he said.

As the director of Campus Life and Diversity, he explained he has learned so much about advocacy, diversity, inclusion, and execution of policies and initiatives.

In this role he has developed several forums in order to create a space to discuss various topics. These forums include a police brutality panel and an immigration forum.

Among the many things Tyrell has helped coordinate for SAASA as the vice president, he helped plan the WalkTU. He hosted and lead WalkTU, describing it as one of his favorite moments as a Temple Owl.

“I am very passionate about ending sexual violence both on and off our campus,” he said. “To see an estimate of 400 people in the walk, I was moved and overwhelmed with so much emotion. Together, we are so powerful and I know that power can be utilized in a meaningful and purposeful way to make a positive change in our community.”

Tyrell doesn’t have time to dream about change when he knows he can activate it. A mantra Tyrell lives by is “not everything that I face can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

He has incorporated this into the mission of Activate TU, aiming to include every voice to foster a diverse community that is inclusive. “I have always been an agent of change and person who intends to serve the world in which I live, even after graduating Temple, I will continue to bring that passion forth into everything that I do.”

Don’t forget to vote, today April 4th-5th right here for the campaign you want to represent us in the 2017-2018 year.