Prior to enrolling in the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program, Joel Isu, a nursing student, expressed uncertainty about his future direction. Feeling somewhat adrift, Isu credits the program’s workshops and guidance for setting him on a more positive trajectory.
He emphasizes the importance of feeling secure within a space specifically tailored for Black youth.
Isu is among the numerous Black students in Alberta who have engaged with the program since its inception in 2020.
This grassroots initiative connects high school students entering Grades 11 and 12, as well as undergraduates, with mentors. It offers leadership workshops and opportunities to visit university campuses to explore academic and professional avenues.
High demand with limited capacity
Since its establishment, the program has mentored approximately 300 high school students and 35 undergraduates nationwide. Two years ago, it extended its reach to Calgary, impacting an additional 150 students. Graduates have pursued careers in medical school, postgraduate studies, and leadership positions, reflecting the program’s influence.
Despite this growth, the program faces overwhelming demand surpassing its capacity.
In 2024, the program catered to 44 students in Alberta—27 in Calgary, 12 in Edmonton, and five online. In 2025, over 180 students applied, but due to funding limitations, only 82 were accepted: 52 in Calgary, 19 in Edmonton, and 11 online.
The program aims not only to offer guidance but also to address the enduring impact of generational systemic anti-Black racism, a longstanding obstacle faced by many Black families.
Dr. Bukola Salami, the program’s founder and a University of Calgary professor, emphasizes the objective of ensuring that Black youth do not face the same limitations due to past experiences of racism encountered by their parents. The program equips young individuals with the tools needed for academic, social, and professional success.
Racism and its multifaceted repercussions
The program’s framework reflects the broader context where Black Canadians confront discrimination and barriers affecting personal, educational, and economic outcomes.
Statistics Canada reports data from 2021 to 2024 indicating that about 51% of racialized Canadians aged 15 and above reported experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment in the preceding five years, nearly double the rate for non-racialized individuals (27%). Discrimination based on race or skin color emerged as the primary driver of these encounters.
Dr. Salami asserts, “Anti-Black racism is a stark reality. It persists in the present, not just the past.”
