Joel Isu, a nursing student, shared his journey of uncertainty before enrolling in the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program. He expressed feeling adrift but credited the program’s workshops and guidance with setting him on a more promising path. Isu emphasized the importance of being in a supportive environment tailored for Black youth.
The program, established in 2020, has benefitted numerous Black students in Alberta, including Isu, by connecting them with mentors, offering leadership workshops, and exposing them to academic and professional opportunities on university campuses. Over the years, around 300 high school students and 35 undergraduates have been mentored, with an additional 150 students in Calgary alone. Former participants have successfully pursued medical school, graduate studies, and leadership positions, showcasing the program’s impact.
Despite its growth and popularity, the program faces challenges due to overwhelming demand surpassing its capacity. In recent years, the program has experienced a surge in applications, yet limited funding resulted in only a fraction of applicants being accepted. The initiative aims not only to guide students but also to combat the enduring effects of systemic anti-Black racism that have hindered Black families for generations.
Dr. Bukola Salami, the program’s founder and a University of Calgary professor, highlighted the program’s goal of equipping young individuals with the tools to excel academically, socially, and professionally, breaking the cycle of anti-Black racism faced by previous generations. The program’s design aligns with the broader context of discrimination and barriers faced by Black Canadians, impacting various aspects of their lives.
Statistics Canada data from 2021 to 2024 revealed that a significant percentage of racialized Canadians, particularly Canadian-born Black individuals, reported experiencing discrimination. This underscores the ongoing challenges Black youth encounter in different spheres, emphasizing the necessity for robust support systems to foster confidence, skills, and opportunities.
The program structure includes workshops, mentorship, and campus experiences tailored to high school students and undergraduates. Participants engage in academic planning, leadership development, and career exploration, with mentors offering guidance on university life and early career decisions. The mentorship model aims to develop both technical and interpersonal skills, empowering students to advocate for themselves in academic and professional settings.
Beluchi Okeke, now studying global health and bioethics at the University of Toronto, credited the program for empowering her to lead initiatives addressing anti-racism and vaccine hesitancy. Okeke highlighted the program’s lasting impact on her life, emphasizing the concrete and long-term benefits of participation.
Dr. Salami stressed the importance of sustained investment from government and private sectors to expand the program and cater to the increasing demand. She emphasized the transformative role of mentorship in providing structured support to students, offering them the opportunity to thrive. Applications for the upcoming cohort are open, with selected participants receiving financial assistance upon program completion.
As discrimination and bias persist in society, mentorship programs like this play a crucial role in offering structured guidance and opportunities to Alberta’s Black youth. Isu encouraged resilience, stating, “It’s never too late to pick yourself up and move forward.”