[avetro]

Looking at this from a Youth Engagement lens, my initial response to this question is to amplify Black youth voice and carry the mentality “nothing for Black youth (and families) without Black youth (and families)”. To engage in co-development and partnership would be key in designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector. This means that service providers welcome and encourage youth to work together in developing different services, or processes that impact them. It’s not enough to just say that we care about Black youth voice, simply for the sake of saying it (this is tokenism!), but rather, we must build authentic relationships with Black youth and ensure that youth expertise is respected and valued. Let Black youth and families be the leaders in their care. As the module taught: Listen, listen, listen.

[Tarin]

I think one of the biggest ways to do this is through co-design. Co-design youth services with members of the Black community, Black service providers, Black youth and their families. Prioritizing funding for services, education and access to care is crucial as well. Getting buy-in and engagement from members of the community who have the power and privilege to sustain services that benefit and invest in black youth and their future.

[Julia]

I, too, agree with many of the points that have posted. I feel like there are a plethora of ways to move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps to designing pathways to inclusion of Black youth. As many have said already, community engagement and representation would be essential to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces, such as in schools, workplaces, programming and more. “Nothing about us, without us”. We need to listen to and centre Black voices and know when privileged folks need to step back. Someone else mentioned celebrating Black youth as a pathways to inclusion. Creating spaces where, not only are Black youth are welcomed, but also celebrated and recognized in culturally responsive ways could definitely be a pathways to inclusion. It makes me think of spaces that have wide reach such as through art and film.

[Salma]

I agree with a lot of points mentioned in the posts, in order to help identify service needs for Black youths, we have to look at some of the concerns and issues that the Black community has to face on the regular basis. Once we hear what they have to say about their experiences, we should start being proactive in designing pathways and programs for professionals, listen to their other people’s views and help young people overcome barriers. Programs and training should be held in a variety of settings including schools, community organizations and agencies. There should also be more Anti-Black Racism and DEI policies in place at workplaces.

[Rose]

Thank you for all the thoughtful responses here. Black youth, families, community members must be the leaders of all parts of this process and be well compensated for their time and expertise, and have the programs and services developed be fully and continually funded. -RS

[James]

Within my organization, we need to develop ways to safely and meaningfully uplift the voices and experiences of black youth. This will require thought, planning, engaging with the community, and identifying how we can move beyond a tokenistic approach to inclusion to a more meaningful way to capture the lived experience of black youth. This will require buy-in from front line staff and leadership, with a focus on how we can move towards more meaningful outcomes rather than just checking a box to say that feedback was gathered or that the community was consulted.

[Joshua]

I believe that moving toward programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti- Black racism, would include reassessing the understanding of “power and opportunity,” within agencies.

Representation Matters

Healthy Black representation would be present at every level of the agency. Healthy Black representation would be supported by the broader agency and an intricate part of leading the overall direction. It would be essential that this happen without the expectation of Western assimilation, and without being labeled a “Black organization” due to the presence of Black leadership. Additionally, Black youth/ individuals would be meaningfully credited and compensated for their contributions, as appose to being expected to provide free consultation work.

Furthermore, Black centered supports and programs that include credible academic and business advancement opportunities, as well as quality mentorship for success would be made available, and effectively/ appropriately communicated.

[Helena]

The forefront of inclusive and pro-active programming is funding and equitable access. Pathways must be drawn with the consideration of barriers to accessing these programs including poverty, transportation, and overall accessibility. Furthermore, program development should be addressed with an all-encompassing lens allowing broader contributions in activity, art, education, and other forefronts of programming; to be inclusive of different narratives, histories, perspectives, approaches, and skillsets instead of focusing on program material which is white-washed and westernized. Proactive programming would be engaging, available, inclusive, and considerate of its desired consumer.

[Michelle]

I agree that engagement of Black youth and their families is crucial to moving toward building informed and relevant pathways and services to meet their needs, however, when seeking to engage it is important to meet them where they are. In an effort to engage and gain perspectives, we (agencies/organizations) invite youth and families to take part in a predetermined focus group, or feedback session, often at our own sites. My suggestion would be to ask Black youth and their families to inform the how/where/when; so that they may feel heard and show us what feels safe for them. Once the information has been gathered; invite the youth and families in on the process of creating and establishing those processes. I believe it is also important to have Black youth and their families as part of the oversight body which follows the planned strategies and services through implementation, evaluation and check/adjust phases. This would help ensure agency/organization/community partner follow through and accountability.

[Selena]

Student engagement from Black youth is crucial in working towards identifying the services needs and gaps Black youth face. Engagement with Black youth, families, and workers in community mental health and beyond are important. If the pathways, services, and gaps are not culturally responsive, they will not meet the needs of Black youth, and therefore addressing the gaps and needs will be ineffective if Black youth are not actively participating in the programs that were designed. Community/student engagement also strengthens and builds more connections and relationships, trust, and inclusivity. Having Black youth and/or workers lead the development of of program design and implementation also provides a space for empowerment.

[Sherri]

In an effort to move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, it is crucial to seek out and listen to the voices of black children, youth and families, and ensure practitioners are educated in fostering pathways to inclusion in youth services. It is important to ensure that services are culturally responsive and designed to meet the mental health needs of Black youth. Practitioners learning should begin at the onset of the academic pursuits and continue throughout their career in order to effectively respond to the mental health needs of Black youth, and to actively participate in identifying and addressing needs and gaps.

[Lisa]

I have been to art galleries and other Arts-related events around the globe and have learned that the Arts can be more than pretty pictures and songs. Many times, the Arts communicate mental healing and political events. Therefore, I think that using the Arts is a great way to engage Black youth. Providing opportunities (as done throughout the YouthRex course that I just took) for youth to speak through the Visual Arts, literature, plays, and music. We could provide topics such as current events, famous leaders, historical events, or grief to help guide the discussion around the Art event. However, an even better idea would be for the youth to come up with a topic and let them create to communicate.

[Samantha]

I think community engagement is a key aspect of designing pathways to inclusion. Directly engaging with youth and their communities, to continue to build last connections and relationships. Additionally, providing the space to empower youth to actively participate in leadership roles, and program design/implementation.

[Siobhan]

As mentioned in another post, I think the best way to ensure we are moving past identifying gaps and actively designing programs that centre and celebrate Black youth, we must ensure Black youth are integral in designing the programs. At the organization I work for, this would look like hiring Black youth to design and implement the programs we run. We can also uplift Black culture throughout the programs by supporting Black owned businesses for gifts, etc.

[Katie]

I think the best way to go about designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector for Black youth is to actively include Black youth and their families in the designing process of these programs, and not just in a superficial way that checks off a box. Black youth and their families need to be surveyed and consulted every step of the way. Truly, I think it would be best for people to leverage their own access to the system in order to ally with Black youth and their families and help them to design the pathways that they need. I think this because the only people that can truly understand the gaps and services Black youth and their families require, as well as how best to address those needs ARE Black youth and their families. So often, I feel like the system and organizations and their programs are “done to” so many minorities who need to conform to them in order to access services or benefits. They should be built and created for all people. This being said, I know that this is an ideal that I don’t know is possible, given how deeply rooted white supremacy is. I think there is room for hope, though. As long as we keep learning, growing, listening to Black voices and believing them.

Clearly, I am struggling to put thoughts together cohesively in this reflection. I think the biggest thing that this course has done for me this far is truly open my eyes and make me uncomfortable with what I thought I knew. As a white person, there are a lot of ways of life and perspectives that I either never thought of or didn’t think to question, and so I am in a phase of instability (the best way to describe it) right now. Processing, learning and growing.

[Kayleigh]

In a world where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism, I think that organizations would seek out to collaborate with Black youth in developing programs and services that match their interests and allow them the pathways and opportunities to develop and nurture them. As I was thinking of an answer to this question, it struck me that a lot of the ideas I was having, such as programs that are geared towards engaging Black youth in community and leadership opportunities that interest them, is that a lot of these ideas and opportunities are not broadly practiced because there is a limited conception of what Black youth need, and this failure to imagine that they could want or need something beyond the gaps and inequities created by anti-Black racism means that Black youth are denied opportunities and pathways that go beyond addressing ABR. To be clear, I don’t think the solution is to stop identifying service needs and gaps, however, I do think that in order to serve Black youth, we need to be thinking beyond serving immediate needs and providing services and opportunities that are more holistic in approach.

Out of all questions I’ve had to answer so far, this to me has the most emotional impact. On one hand, this question is about imagining a better future, but to me, it also comes with this devastating conclusion that the services that many (though not all) organizations are developing for Black youth address needs and gaps, perhaps at the expense of developing programs that would go beyond ensuring the basics to participate. It reminded me of the lecture “Strengthening Engagement with Families and Black Youth,” because I think a lot of organizations underestimate Black youth and all the intellectual and creative talents they possess. So, there is now a sadness and devastation inside of me that I now have to sit with and work through, which I think is what I needed.

[Rachel]

After completing this module and taking some time to reflect on this question I believe that there are various ways we can pro-actively design pathways to inclusion in the youth sector. A few of these ways include the involvement and input of black youth in the development of programs and services, cultural competency training, and organizational accountability. Firstly, the active involvement of the black youth that would be participating in the youth sector is crucial as we would be ensuring that their unique lived experiences and barriers are taken into consideration when creating programs and services, ensuring the most culturally relevant and effective programming possible. Additionally, the collaboration with black youth would aid in assisting the trust and bond building needed for successful programs and services to take place. Secondly, every organization that works with black youth should be mandatorily required to complete cultural competency training to ensure they understand the historical and social context that racism and discrimination have on black youth and families. Also, cultural competency training would benefit anyone working with black youth as they would be able to provide a more inclusive, welcoming, and safe space for black youth. Lastly, accountability within each organization would be crucial to make sure that the programs and services being offered to black youth are truly anti-oppressive and anti-racist and are actually benefiting and positively impacting black youth. This can be done by self-reflection, group reflection, consulting with black youth, and consulting with black-led organizations.

[Michael]

Envisioning a future where Black youth are free from anti-Black racism requires proactive strategies within youth programs and services. Culturally competent training for staff, representation that mirrors the community, and safe spaces for expression are essential elements. Education on the history and impact of racism, community engagement for tailored program development, and intersectional approaches acknowledging various identities further contribute to inclusion. Advocacy for systemic change, robust evaluation mechanisms, and youth empowerment initiatives are crucial for sustained impact. By celebrating diversity, fostering mentorship, and actively involving Black community leaders, these programs can create environments that not only address the service needs and gaps faced by Black youth but also actively dismantle the barriers of discrimination and inequality.

[Alexandra]

I don’t think this is something that will be something that will every be done easily. I think it comes down to education, but also a willingness from those in power to change. Pathways towards inclusion will require the re-structuring of current systems. More self and critical awareness and built infrastructure of laws and policies to enforce these ideas. I thought the notion of building statistics to enforce how filling those service gaps and creating inclusion in systems is more likely to create policy change. If you can demonstrate to governing bodies how they may make more money and build more power by buying into these changes, I think they will happen. Until then, it is just a grass roots movement, but so was recycling, so there is still hope out there.

[Charlotte]

I think one of the actions we can take proactively is to build partnerships between schools, community centers and business corporations to create a supportive network when it comes to designing pathways to inclusion in the black youth sector. For example, facilitating networking events or activities can connect black youth with professionals and mentors from various fields to embrace diversity, foster connections and promote dialogue.

[Marie-Eve]

As I reflect through the information I’ve learned in this module, I kept going back to our understanding of Black youth disengagement as an organization. We’ll often develop media and outreach campaigns to engage Black youth and their families in our programming. When these efforts do not yield the desired result, I’ve seen my organization draw conclusions without acknowledging the barriers faced by Black youth.

When considering why Black youth and their families are not willing or not ready to engage with our organization, we must reevaluate the lens through which we arrive at conclusions by ensuring to consider personal and intergenerational factors that may impact engagement. As an organization, we can ensure to offer programming that reflects and celebrate Black excellence, we can ensure that our leadership team includes members of the Black community, we can consult with community partners that can help inform best practices … but we must respect boundaries and provide space and time for trust to be built and engagement to flourish. That does not mean taking a passive approach, but rather modifying our approaches when it comes to Black youth to ensure they are feeling safe, included, and celebrated.

[Diana]

I think the most important thing to consider when we are designing pathways of inclusion for all is prevention and early intervention in a culturally sensitive way. Right now, many of the interventions and services used are from a colonial and White method, which is can be not only ineffective, but can be damaging to Black Youth and Families. By offering more tailored and holistic early interventions and prevention methods, we will be able to work towards inclusion and success for everyone. It is necessary to include a tailored approach due to the different and multi-layered problems that Black Youth face.

[Elah]

I think proactively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector means collaboration and cooperation. It is crucial to collaborate with Black youth who will be participating in services to make sure that their voices and perspectives are heard and understood. This means service providers must proactively go out of their way to seek input and feedback from youth on how they are receiving services. Understanding ways in which services could improve or change in order to meet the needs of more youth or more specific groups. This would actually help youth be an equal voice of their services or treatment delivery they are receiving and would give some agency and autonomy back to them. There is an inherent power imbalance between service users and service providers and to give voice to those who use services would put them in the driver’s seat of their own care.

[Alison]

This is absolutely powerful. What better way to create something for a group of people when its created WITH that same group of people. It only makes sense to involve the people who it will directly have an impact on. Great sentiments!

[Mehreen]

Firstly, involving Black youth in the assessment and planning stages of initiatives and service delivery is vitally important. Only by engaging them from the initial stages of planning initiatives that are proactively inclusive will programs be successful in being respectfully diverse and inclusive. Creating spaces where black youth feel welcome to share their ideas without criticism is important in order to hear their voice.

[Helori]

Involving Black youth and their communities is a crucial step towards designing and implementing services in order to co-create a more inclusive space. Their input is essential to create programs that are culturally relevant and effective. Another important element to consider is creating safe spaces for Black youth to voice and express any concerns or experiences without fear of jugement. Finally, advocacy and awareness helps encourage all folks (Black youth and beyond) to engage in advocacy and raise awareness about issues related to anti-Black racism and inclusion, but also to bring awareness to others who might not understand the complexities Black youth face.

[Jewelle]

Investing in services designed by black youth and black people is a proactive way to develop relevant and tailored supports. Black youth need to be consulted at the inception stage rather than as a consultation to see if the work done so far sounds good to them. This means using evidence to articulate the efficiency and cost savings of designing good, well informed programing in the first place, rather than trying to fix program/service issues down the line. If black youth continue to be integrated into white spaces, there will always be major issues down the line.

[Sivakaami]

The most important step is to include Black voices throughout the entire process. Host forums with Black members of the community, with a specific focus on the voices of Black youths. Ask them for their opinions on the proposed program ideas, have them bring up suggestions of programs they would like to see and be a part of etc. This would ensure that the program development process includes the perspective of those it is intended to help as opposed to being developed based on the assumptions made by folks from other communities.

[Rolland]

I think that designing pathways to inclusion for Black youth in the youth sector while addressing anti-Black racism requires a holistic approach. Here are some ideas:

– Involve Black youth in decision-making, ensuring their voices guide program and service development.

– Provide cultural competency training for professionals to foster a deeper understanding of Black youth’s diverse experiences.

– Advocate for equity-centered policies and funding to allocate resources effectively.

– Establish mentorship programs, holistic support services, and culturally sensitive education to cater to their unique needs.

– Collaborate with Black community organizations, implement anti-racism training, and prioritize data-driven evaluations for effective, inclusive solutions.

What do you think?

[Alison]

Great points on cultural competency and data driven decisions. It is important for staff to be aware of different cultures so as to desensitize themselves before delving deeper. Having data and making decisions based on that is the key to long lasting solutions.

[Sean]

I agree, and I wish holistic leadership was actually encouraged/promoted at the top of all the non-profits because it would really benefit a lot of communities, not just the black community and or black youth programs/services.

[Keer]

I have been engaging with youth in past years on daily bases whether in School or sports centre. Once upon a time, I went to school to support one of the newcomer families with their child who has been registered in public school. However, during the recess one of the associated school counselors refused for the student not to participate in the practices at last to finish his assignment.

To me, that was the eyes below that the school counselors engage in sports practices and refused for the student not to participate. So emotional that the student was very affected physiologically and that is proof of reinforcing white supremacy and dehumanizing Black students. Further, school counselors may also contribute to the ways that the basic and unique needs of Black students are overlooked, leading to the continued systemic of Black students. What is needed is a radical imagination of school counseling, which centers on the home place as the foundation in order to engage in freedom dreaming.

[Laura]

I think that an important first step in this process will be to hold consultations with Black youth to determine what types of programs, activities etc will be meaningful to them. It is important as service providers that we do not impose our ideas of what type of programs are best for Black youth, especially if we are not from the Black community ourselves.