is a student-run non-profit organization that aims to help Black youth and first-generation students realize their academic potential through creating engaging, restorative and Afrocentric educational programming and providing annual scholarships. Join us in our efforts to help shape community leaders and success stories of tomorrow as we push forward the movement for Black educational empowerment in Toronto!
This year, we awarded three scholarships to support students going into post-secondary education and had our 4th annual Afrocentric Summer Mentorship & Enrichment Program (ASMEP). With the success of the summer program, we introduced the Afrocentric Mentorship & Enrichment Program during the 2021-22 school year to support students year-round. Both programs build on Afrocentric principles from the Sisters of Nia Rites of Passage program. In the summer, we gathered each week from July to August, transitioning to once a month for the school year for a live virtual session. Each session we learned about a new principle and a corresponding academic discipline or life skill. It also featured a Black professional speaking on their experiences in relation to the theme of the week. Students were paired with a mentor to engage in fun activities and intriguing discussions allowing them to further understand the Afrocentric principles and academic disciplines. We also introduced a weekly virtual tutoring program for the school year. The tutoring program pairs students from grades 6 to 10 who need academic support in math, science and English with experienced tutors who help them with their homework or advance their learning in these subjects. We’re proud to be able to support students with these programs throughout the school year and to be able to assist them in their success.
We awarded two scholarships in addition to delivering our third annual free Afrocentric Summer Mentorship & Enrichment Program and a job shadowing initiative in partnership with Expedia Canada virtually due to the restrictions put in place because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. ASMEP’s focus this year was resilience, a principle and lifestyle that became increasingly relevant and necessary as each month of such an unpredictable and challenging year went by. Each week catered to a different Sisters of Nia African Principle and our discussion of each principle was grounded with in a unique academic discipline or life-skill. Our fantastic team of 29 mentors led 50 participants through fascinating discussions and activities through weekly live community sessions and midweek mentoring sessions. The generous and experienced staff at Expedia Toronto showcased their exciting career paths, highlighted the importance of education in helping them achieve their goals, and provided students with guidance and advice on their academic and professional journeys.
We administered two scholarships and ran our second annual free Afrocentric Summer Mentorship & Enrichment Program at the Rexdale Hub. We worked to increase the participants’ self-confidence and academic engagement so that they are more likely to act in accordance with high academic and professional goals. For each theme, a successful black professional/expert who was well-versed on the often-neglected African contributions in their discipline, spoke to the youth about their journey. Students were paired with mentors of colour who were current university (undergraduate and PhD), college, medical and law school students. Mentors walked students through fun, thought-provoking Afrocentric academic activities in each of the disciplines in addition to leading discussions on growth mindsets, goal-setting and overcoming barriers.
We administered one scholarship and ran our first annual free Afrocentric Summer Enrichment Program. For six Saturdays, students engaged in experiential learning modules that drew on African-centered sources of knowledge and perspectives to create a diverse educational experience on a wide range of disciplines. Our team of engaging and impactful speakers included an Olympic Gold Medallist, the award-winning director of a local recording studio, a neonatologist & assistant professor, a chemical engineer, a criminal lawyer, and an accountant. Our team of eight mentors led youth through hands-on activities in the afternoons, which allowed students to practice skills and complete challenges related to academic disciplines.
We administered one scholarship, began our first mentorship program in July called Reaching New Heights and partnered with For Youth Initiative (http://www.foryouth.ca/) to hold an educational community barbecue in August. Through our program launch in July, youth aged ten to fifteen learned how to maximize their educational opportunities and engage in their communities through fun activities and words from our keynote speaker TDSB Trustee Tiffany Ford. They were then paired with members of our mentor team- comprised of high school seniors and university students with a track record of academic excellence- by whom the were mentored for the rest of the summer online. The barbecue included networking sessions featuring leaders in entrepreneurship, community advocacy and the sports industry and increased our visibility in the community.
We administered two scholarships and held a conference through the Toronto District School Board that inspired 150 students from across the city by showing them their potential and giving them resources to help make their academic and professionals goals a reality. It included workshops, panel discussions and insightful speeches by motivational speakers and distinguished guests such as International Supermodel, Stacey McKenzie and TDSB Trustee, Chris Tonks. MP Ahmed Hussen awarded Find Your Path with a certificate of commendation for its work in empowering youth.
