Virtual Café by YouthREX | Mitch Chai | Activity

Mitch replied to the discussion Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 14:36:48 -0400

Reply to Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario?

I agree with much of what has been shared here so far and don’t have anything new to add. I am curious about the increase in public white-supremacist hate both propaganda and individual acts of violence on this and the other side of the border. I feel that political inaction and collusion in many cases have given rise to ABR and legitimizes ABR…

Mitch replied to the discussion Centering Black Youth Wellbeing Spotify Playlist in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:56:46 -0400

Reply to Centering Black Youth Wellbeing Spotify Playlist

My faves are: If I have a son, Preach, Brown Skin Girl, and Rise Up!

Mitch replied to the discussion Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:57:44 -0400

Reply to Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector?

I think it’s important for us to share our own stories. So you can’t ask youth to be vulnerable, or to feel safe to share their stories if the folx in leadership are tight lipped and ‘perfect’ seeming (so, having had no struggles) – I feel like this is why it’s so important for things to be peer led and for those peers to be mentored by folx…

Mitch replied to the discussion Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:51:25 -0400

Thank you for sharing this resource!

Mitch replied to the discussion Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:49:55 -0400

Yes, agreed. And we need to support and advocate for Black youth in leadership places that are supported by funding that values their time and expertise.

Mitch replied to the discussion What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:45:50 -0400

Reply to What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing?

Thank you for sharing this. I agree and I would add – listen more carefully, more intently to really hear what Black youth are saying. I’ve also learned to listen sideways – and what I mean by that is to step back and leave space for youth testing the climate they have just stepped into. I have learned that on first, or second, or third…

Mitch replied to the discussion What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:27:30 -0400

Reply to What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing?

Thank you for the recommendation. I attended that session and I was quite moved and inspired by the film. I also attended From Trauma Informed to Healing Centered Youthwork and I am so grateful for the work you are doing at YouthRex and the knowledge you are sharing. It is improving the way I work and how I advocate at my centre.

Mitch replied to the discussion How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 19:41:08 -0400

Reply to How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families?

I am curious about what kind of research can be done to help validate the experiences of the youth so that a case might be made to invest in communities differently? I also wonder if working in a college may position you uniquely to listen to the stories of Black youth there and where you might be able to support a research based…

Mitch replied to the discussion Centering Black Youth Wellbeing Spotify Playlist in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 19:17:52 -0400

Reply to Centering Black Youth Wellbeing Spotify Playlist

Really appreciate the range on this playlist. It is a great reminder of the diversity that exists among Black musicians and artists and an important teaching that a wide range of music can be featured and celebrated in youth meetings and programming spaces.

This range when shared also makes it possible for Black youth in programming spaces to…

Mitch replied to the discussion Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:32:33 -0400

Reply to Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario?

I think anti-Black racism is still a problem in Ontario/Canada because ABR is deeply seated in our institutions and social practices. I also think race and class go hand in hand and so the politics of poverty are also nourished by anti-Black racism. I believe that due to systemic erasure of canada’s history of slavery, anti-Black racist…

Mitch replied to the discussion What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:10:49 -0400

Reply to What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing?

I can create more space and make room for the diverse stories and experiences of Black youth. In the work I do around masculinities a lot of care and intention is taken to prepare our space where participants authentic selves are welcome. It means being more intentional of naming and invoking the importance of Black experiences in our spaces,…