Tackling Systemic Barriers through FYI’s Black Youth Leadership Program
Leadership skills are important in many aspects of life, including fighting for social justice and the right to equitable and fair treatment, respect, and opportunities. It’s for this reason that FYI partnered with the Institute for Change Leaders (ICL) to deliver the Black Youth Leadership Program (BYLP). The Institute for Change Leaders (ICL) teaches the skills that organizers, activists and campaigners need to create social change. Their core curriculum comes from Marshall Ganz, a Harvard professor who codified the relationship-building organizational framework. ICL offers the first accredited Marshal Ganz-based community organizing course in Canada.
The Black Youth Leadership Program (BYLP) uses an anti-racist approach to promote the involvement of Black youth in creating meaningful and positive change, both systemically and within their communities. By teaching Black youth how to be leaders, this program ensures that the voices of Black youth are heard, recognized, and their stories and experiences are validated.
The program launched in 2019 by delivering 3 two-day workshops to a total of 49 youth participants in York South Weston, an area that has faced barriers due to low education attainment and high levels of youth poverty as compared to the rest of Toronto. The program teaches leadership skills, such as public speaking, communication, and confidence, that young people can apply widely as young changemakers. Since its launch, BYLP has engaged over 200 Black Youth in leadership programming between the ages of 15-24. Twelve youth participants entered leadership roles as consultants, facilitators and event planners. By teaching Black youth how to be leaders, this program ensures that Black youth have the tools and support to become meaningfully involved in their communities
Two program participants, Luqman and Hiqman, organized students attending George Harvey Collegiate Institute to challenge a ban on wearing du-rags in school. ICL and For Youth Initiative worked with these students to develop the skills they needed to organize their classmates to work towards a common goal. Thanks to their campaign, the principal changed the dress code to allow du-rags in school, recognizing it as a culturally relevant dress for Black youth.
Luqman and Hiqman received the 2019 ICL Alumni Association Youth for Change Award for youth (under the age of 19) who organized and brought people together to achieve change in the face of uncertainty.
The BYLP intended to achieve the following outcomes:
• Help Black youth, especially those involved in the justice system and education system, build leadership skills so that they can successfully advocate for themselves within systems
• Train Black youth to become leaders in both the program and in their communities to act as mentors for their peers and advocate for systemic change in their communities
• Give Black youth an increased sense of belonging
• Empower Black youth to have increased community connections and networking between Black youth and their peers, community leaders/part
Another BYLP participant, Elijah, went on to become a Youth Facilitator. “My involvement with the Black Youth Leadership Program has been a refuge for me amidst the global pandemic,” says Elijah, “it has given me a feeling of belonging with aspiring change-makers. A main aspect of the program, aside from learning how to fight injustices and gathering resources, was understanding the importance of storytelling. In learning the fundamentals of connecting to people through a story, we can not only recruit others but build meaningful bonds to eventually unite to make a difference.”
For Youth Initiative works to engage youth in community leadership roles where possible to develop transferable skills for the future. Register for the next BYLP co-hort now!
Learn more about the program and read our report.
If you would like to support the BYLP with a donation please contact FYI’s Manager, Communications & External Relations at sahar@foryouth.ca