[Jasmyne]

Something that I’ve noticed in professional spaces and personally while growing up as a Black female, is that the voices of Black people were not often included in the discussion about what Black young people need. If Black youth were included in the discussion, their voices weren’t seriously considered. It is hard to come up with programming that benefits or aims to improve outcomes for Black youth if Black youth voices aren’t heard.
I think that this is partially why many Black youths don’t feel comfortable utilizing services that are geared towards their demographic. Many approaches that some organizations use do not resonate with the experiences of Black youth. Additionally, some of these programs don’t consider the historical factors that are deeply embedded in the Black youth experience today. It is only recently that many companies and organizations have begun to adopt a framework that is mindful of the impacts of systemic racism, oppression, and ABR.

In the work that I do, I advocate for Black youth voices by speaking on their behalf and translating their thoughts and ideas to community spaces and forms. I think one way that I can enhance this work is by coaching and educating Black youth on how to advocate for themselves. Personally, I came from a family that was uncomfortable with and fearful of speaking out about some inequities that Black people experiences. Because of this sheltered approach, it took me a long time to truly understand what was going on around me and what I could to challenge these injustices. I think that through educating Black youth about how to use their voices in impactful ways, we can empower them to be confident leaders.

Of course, in educating Black youth about the different ways they can use their voices, we definitely need to construct safe spaces for them to use their voices. Again, because many forums geared towards Black youth aren’t operated by Black people, it steers Black youth away from using these resources, because they feel like they won’t be understood. The tables and spaces intended to help Black youth should be operated by people that look like them. Additionally, they need to be consulted when created these spaces if we want to ensure that we optimize the outcomes and opportunities available to them.

[Kristina]

This whole thread is really helpful – thanks for starting this conversation! I love the link between supporting the voice AND preparing space for that voice. So critical. We’ve been doing that background work of making sure our internal processes and spaces are safer when Black youth participate.

[Zarina]

I agree with you Jasmyne. As a youth worker that’s something I have learned through trail and error that not including black youth in this conversation will not create a space or program that will benefit them in the way they need.

As for my organization, I think it would also be important to highlight the significance of following the directives of black community members in creating safe spaces for them.

[Uzo]

So true, Jasmyne! Thank you. Making sure we center Black youth voice and leadership in the programs that are set up to serve them is legit important. YouthREX highlighted this as part of our Doing Right Together for Black Youth report in 2018. We created a fact sheet that summarized five ways to engage Black youth to hear their voices and learn from their experiences:

01. Nothing About Black Youth Without Black Youth

02. Communicate WITH Youth, Not AT Youth

03. Reduce Barriers & Provide Accessible Information

04. Create Opportunities for Storytelling & Representation

05. Prioritize Black Youth Voices and Develop Black Youth Partnerships

The factsheet is here: https://youthrex.com/factsheet/working-together-to-do-right-for-black-youth/

[Tricia]

Thank you for drawing my attention to this sheet! It will be shared with my team.

[Jasmyne]

Thanks for sharing this factsheet, Uzo!

[Jane]

I am not a clinician and don’t work directly with Black youth. I’m a communicator and a big thing that has stayed with me in this training is how we favour Eurocentric definitions of success, experience, family, etc. I am going to focus on making sure I am not promoting those assumptions and definitions in my writing and images. I am also committing to leaving space for other voices and committing to listening. I considered myself socially aware but this training has peeled back a lot of assumptions I didn’t know I had, like an onion. Thank you so much for this and for giving me a lot to think about and to challenge.

[Phillip]

Very well said! Leaving space for other voices and being attentive and letting them know they are heard and understood. I too considered myself as socially aware, but in the moment it is easy to forget this practice. Which is why being attentive and observant is so important to notice these situations. Thank you for sharing!

[Katarina]

Absolutely, allyship is critical! This reminds me of a factsheet we developed a couple of years ago, which lays out four practices for effective allyship: (1) listen more than you speak, (2) be receptive to feedback and criticism, (3) commit to ongoing learning, and (4) help amplify voices. Simple, but powerful. ✨

[Uzo]

Great observation, Jane! Yes, good allyship intentionally makes space for those that live the issues to have a voice. We all could do a better job of this. Thanks for the reminder 👍🏽