There is a lot of work to do to ensure Black youth have equal and adequate entry to the workforce. They deserve to find meaningful employment with the opportunity to grow.
The Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity is proud to celebrate Black History Month – a time to acknowledge and applaud the immense contributions Black Canadians made, and continue to make, in every area of Canadian life.
We often hear about trailblazers like Willie O’Ree who was the first Black player in the NHL, Viola Desmond who was a businessperson and activist, and Jean Augustine who was the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons. These achievements are significant and impressive, particularly considering the racism and oppression present.
There are many others too whose names don’t necessarily get mentioned in media conferences, but whose accomplishments are also substantial.
Among these are organizations supporting Black youth in the workforce. Groups like the Africa Centre in Edmonton which “strives to create opportunities for full access and participation of all Albertans in all aspects of society, including economic …”
The CEE Centre For Young Black Professionals is “dedicated to addressing the economic and social barriers that affect Black youth.” And, the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC) provides innovative support to organizations and groups to strengthen their adaptive capacity to be effective participants and leaders in driving positive outcomes for Black communities locally, regionally, and nationally.
The list goes on and we commend your good work.
WATCH: CCYP Celebrates Black Excellence
At the same time, we’re keenly aware Black youth need more support to overcome systemic racism. It’s often thought this is only in the United States, where, yet again, we find ourselves outraged by the death of another Black man at the hands of police.
However, looking at the Black youth unemployment rate the problem in Canada is evident. In 2021 - the overall youth unemployment rate was 20%, while the Black youth unemployment rate was 27%. So, it’s clear just how far we have to go in equality and equity for Black youth.
There is a lot of work to do to ensure Black youth have equal and adequate entry to the workforce. They deserve to find meaningful employment with the opportunity to grow.
That’s why we created Black Seed, a culturally informed and culturally safe program to improve the experience of Black youth and ensure their success by supporting and equipping Black service providers. Through Black Seed, CCYP will champion the creation, implementation, and adoption of culturally relevant standards of practice for organizations that are Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving (B3). It’s based on authentic and credible research that centres on Black youth and their lived experiences.
Throughout Black History Month, and every day after, the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity is committed to addressing gaps preventing all young people living in Canada from working and living in purpose and prosperity. Our work is active, intentional and grounded in evidence. We invite other organizations in the workforce development ecosystem to join us. Connect at info@ccyp-ccpj.org.