Empowering Black Youth: Overcoming Barriers through Mentorship and Leadership

By Victoria Fajenyo, Research Assistant (Cumming School of Medicine), Research Coordinator (Department of Pediatrics) University of Calgary; and Professor Oluwabukola Salami, Full Professor, Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada Research Chair (CIHR) Tier 1 in Black and Racialized Peoples' Health      

Quick Facts

Population of interest:
Black youth in high school (Grades 10 and 11)

Location:
University of Calgary, Alberta

The need:
Research indicates that Black youth in Canada are less likely to attain post-secondary qualifications, significantly impacting their career prospects, economic stability, and overall well-being. According to Statistics Canada (2024), working-age Black and Latin American Canadians have lower educational attainment compared to their White counterparts. These disparities arise from systemic barriers such as limited access to academic support, implicit and explicit teacher biases, and the streaming of Black students into lower educational tracks, reducing their opportunities for success.

Another pressing issue is the lack of career guidance and professional development. Many Black youth have limited access to university admissions resources, scholarships, and career pathways in competitive fields such as medicine, engineering, and law. Additionally, the absence of Black role models in professional spaces can hinder aspirations and self-confidence, further limiting their potential.

About the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program

The Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program (BYMLP) was created to address social, economic, and educational inequities faced by Black youth in Canada. Mentorship is a proven tool for youth development, particularly in marginalized communities, as research has shown its positive effects on academic performance, leadership skills, social-emotional well-being, and resilience (White et al., 2021). BYMLP offers a structured mentorship framework that connects youth with successful Black professionals who provide academic, social, and career guidance.

These relationships help mentees develop essential skills, increase motivation for higher education, and prepare for future leadership roles.

Over the years, BYMLP has expanded through strategic partnerships, successfully supporting close to 200 students.

BYMLP provides a diverse range of workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences to equip participants with skills for higher education and the workforce.

Through career panels, faculty mentorship, and project-based learning, mentees gain exposure to various professional fields and build confidence in their aspirations. These efforts help counteract the negative effects of racism and discrimination, ultimately improving academic performance and mental well-being.

Opportunities for Mentees (Grades 10 & 11)

Participants can:

• Attend in-person or online
• Work on a faculty-supervised research project
• Participate in workshops, mentorship sessions, and professional shadowing
• Receive a stipend for participation
• Earn high school credit (optional)

Mentorship Opportunities
Mentors support the program in two ways:

1. Project-Based Mentorship:

   Provide a project for mentees to work on 3–5 days per week (July–August 2025)

2. Community Mentorship:

   Dedicate 1 hour per week for mentorship sessions throughout the program

The Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program will return in summer 2025, running from July 2 - August 9, 2025. This initiative remains committed to empowering Black youth in Canada through meaningful mentorship and leadership opportunities.

Feedback from Mentees

The program has been well received, and youths shared that it helped them gain clarity on their future career goals.

• "I liked the career panel because I learned more about the courses I want to take in university, and I had many of my questions answered."
• "The awards, scholarships, and financing workshop was really useful. I want to be a doctor, but I also want to graduate with manageable expenses."

Mentees also found value in discussions on racism and discrimination and how these challenges impact Black youth.

• "My favorite part of the workshop was hearing about my peers' experiences. It helped me understand the struggles Black youth face and the emotions these challenges create."
• "Before this program, I thought racial inequality was a minor issue today. Now, I understand that it still exists in many areas like education and healthcare. I've changed my perspective and will work to be more involved in my community."

Conclusion

The Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program (BYMLP) has played a vital role in enhancing the confidence, academic engagement, and career aspirations of Black youth.

The program plans to expand its reach and develop a more sustainable approach to mentorship and leadership training. Future efforts will focus on strengthening community partnerships, securing long-term funding, and integrating more hands-on experiential learning opportunities to further equip Black youth with the tools they need to thrive.

By broadening access to mentorship, and ensuring continued engagement with alumni and leaders, BYMLP hopes to create lasting, systemic change that empowers even more Black youth across Canada. The program’s ultimate goal is to build a self-sustaining model of mentorship and leadership that continues to uplift generations of Black leaders, encouraging a more inclusive and equitable future.

References

Statistics Canada. (2024, February 28). High school graduation and postsecondary enrolment of Black, Latin American and other population groups: What explains the differences? https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2024002/article/00003-eng.htm

White, A. E., Lincoln, B., Liang, B., Sepulveda, J., Matyjaszczyk, V., Kupersmith, C., Hill, N. E., & Perella, J. (2021). “My Mentor Thinks That I can Be Someone Amazing”: Drawing Out Youths’ Passions and Purpose. Journal of Adolescent Research, 36(1), 98–123. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558420942481