Lily PolenchukThe Black Youth for Social Innovation (BYSI) program aims to support the professional development of Black students through mentorship and internship opportunities. Launched by the University of Alberta in spring 2024, the program offers Black students various research, leadership, and mentorship opportunities.
“The purpose of our project is to provide the resources students need to turn their ideas into actions,” associate director of BYSI and political science PhD student Sewordor Toklo said. The program seeks to address a lack of research and leadership opportunities for Black students, according to Toklo.
BYSI differs from other mentorship programs in that it is student-led, Toklo explained. “Mentorship should be driven by the youth themselves,” he said.
The program “seeks to challenge the dominant idea that mentors transfer knowledge to young people,” he said. “BYSI allows students to drive this initiative themselves.”
Student perspectives are central to BYSI as students were involved with the creation of the program’s strategic plan, Toklo said. “We operate in an environment where all our voices are fairly represented.”
Students interested in research are paired with faculty members in areas of their interest. The professional development aspect of the program focuses on developing students’ leadership skills and confidence through work experience.
School of Public Health graduate student Habeebah Adeladan said she values the program’s student-led nature. BYSI is “for us, by us,” Adeladan said.
As an intern, Adeladan matched with Elizabeth Onyango to work on a project addressing cultural food insecurity in Alberta. Adeladan said she enjoyed the opportunity to connect with her community through her work.
“We want to reach a point where we do not even need a specific program for Black people or other minority groups,” Toklo says
Toklo was introduced to the program by associate dean of graduate studies and political science professor Jared Wesley. He said he quickly became interested due to the program’s commitment to authenticity in its professional environment.
“People can come with their true selves. They don’t need to hide who they are,” Toklo said.
Undergraduate student Iveren Abeghe was also drawn to the program for this reason. As a research assistant and program developer, it was rewarding to create spaces “where students could be themselves without needing to change certain aspects of their physical appearance to be deemed more professional,” she said.
Going forward, Tolko hopes to secure more resources in order to expand the program and its impact, he said.
“Our main objective for this project is that we want to empower Black youth to lead a pluralistic society. We want to reach a point where we do not even need a specific program for Black people or other minority groups,” Toklo added. “We want to leave a lasting legacy that goes beyond us.”
