How Joy Kennedy-Udida rediscovered her purpose at George Brown College

A new passion unfolds

“I stumbled onto jewellery-making through a new friend and decided to give it a go,” Joy recalls. “Every time I did it, I felt more energetic and filled with a sense of purpose.”

What started as a hobby soon became a passion, with Joy diving headfirst into the craft. “It was just for fun initially, but then I realized I could actually make something out of it.” She put on her first exhibition with friends in 2014.

Despite her growing love for jewellery-making, Joy knew that being self-taught came with limitations. “No matter how many YouTube videos I watched, I couldn’t ask questions or see all the angles,” she explains. This realization led her to explore formal education in the trade, and after researching various options, she felt that George Brown College’s Jewellery Arts Program offered what she was looking for.

“I liked that I didn’t have to attend different workshops or hop from one school to another,” she explains. “At George Brown, everything I needed to hone my craft was available in one place,” Joy says. While some schools offered shorter, intensive programs, Joy sought something deeper and more comprehensive. She appreciated that a three-year program would give her the time and space to fully immerse herself in her craft and develop her skills at her own pace.

“For me, it wasn’t just about choosing a school, it was about finding a place that was the right fit for my life and my future in the jewellery arts,” she says. “George Brown has been exactly that.”

A scholarship provides support and a confidence boost

Joy’s journey to George Brown wasn’t easy. As a mother of three children and with her husband as the sole income earner, the cost of the program and transportation was a significant burden on her family. A two-hour commute each day compounded the stress, but in the spring of 2024, Joy found renewed motivation and support when she became the first recipient of the Michael Carter Memorial Scholarship.

“The scholarship helped financially, but it was about more than just money,” Joy says. “When I read about Michael Carter and the lives he impacted, it really strengthened me. I had this voice inside asking, ‘Do you really want to do this?’ But then I’d read about all the people he mentored and guided, and I’d think, ‘Yes, I can do this.’ It was really empowering.”

The impact of the scholarship was deeply emotional for Joy, who was honoured to be invited to a remembrance dinner with friends and family of the late Michael Carter. “It was very special to meet the people who had kept his name going,” she says. “I felt really touched that they wanted me there.”

Giving a speech at the event was a moment she will never forget. “It was a wonderful feeling, having them receive my words of appreciation,” she reflects. “They all had such encouraging words for me to keep going.”

Working hard and dreaming big

Since beginning her studies at George Brown, Joy has grown significantly as an artist. As a visual learner, she appreciates being able to observe her instructors and learn new tricks and tips. “It’s been a beautiful experience,” she says. “The professors are always there to guide and meet you where you are.”

For aspiring jewellery-makers looking to follow in her footsteps, Joy advises they get ready to put in the work. “The program is very demanding but so rewarding,” she says. “You see what you’re able to do after just one year in the program, and the difference is huge.”

Joy dreams of owning her own jewellery company and currently sells her products to mostly family and friends online as she continues to improve her skills. As for those hesitating to follow their dreams, Joy says it’s worth taking the risk.

“We all have that voice in our head trying to talk us down from starting something new,” she says. “If you don’t try, you’ll never know. Go for what you want, and remember—it’s never too late.”

Paying it forward

The Michael Carter Memorial Scholarship not only provided Joy with financial support but also inspired her to pursue her passion. Established through the collective generosity of Michael's friends and loved ones, the scholarship is a testament to his legacy of helping others succeed, and a powerful example of how a community can come together to make a lasting impact. By donating to the fund, supporters are paying it forward, ensuring that students like Joy can reach their full potential—just as Michael would have wanted.