The typical expectation of an individual from the age of 5, is that if they attend school, do well and gain admission to university, they will be on their way to a respectable job and happy life. Furthermore, the education system promises an ideology that if a person works hard in school, then they will be rewarded with in their adult life as if that were true.

Now, the deeper you examine, the more this promise appears to be fiction. No one can deny the value of education, but it is just some people find it simpler to succeed and grow than others. People of colour encounter impediments to achievement daily, beginning at an early age, that White individuals never have to consider, let alone worry about. To be more specific, Black youths. They are faced with many obstacles which hold them back from educational achievement as well as future career opportunity.

So, to build diligent and resilient individuals, programs that motivate and support Black youth are well needed to ensure that there is a chance of hope in the future of the adolescents. The kinds that increase the chance of engagement in social activities meanwhile decreasing the likelihood of students taking part in at risk behaviours. The ‘Realize Your Potential Youth Society’ has already taken a step towards the development of the Black community by supplying a variety of common skills. With this multimedia project, a glance at the kind of impact a positive program for Black youths will be shown.

Negative Experiences with Education in the Black Community?

Black youth represent one of many vulnerable groups across the educational system. The encounter with racial discrimination begins as early as elementary school and, disturbingly, well into and after high school.

As a student of the Black community, education is important for me to be able to take part in civic life. However, I find it funny how realistic the statement above is for I lived through it and still do to this present day. I have been a student of the education system in Canada since the age of 5 and not a moment passes me by when I do not rethink all the obstacles I had to overcome.

Students from Black communities are associated with poor education rates, 64% of which in the United States have parents whose education level is less than high school.Other challenges

Black youth face that affects their hope for success in school include harsh disciplinary actions, lack of a support system, self-confidence, motivation and acceptance.

Challenges faced by Black youths:

1. The typical non-white school district receives $2,226 less per enrolled student.
2. Only two thirds of Black students ages 14-21 who served under the ‘Individuals with Disabilities Educations Act (IDEA) graduated with a regular high school diploma.
3. In the United States Black individuals ages 18-24 were neither enrolled in school nor work.
4. In 2017-18, only 7% of public-school teachers and 11% of public-school principals were Black.
5. In 2018, 15.1% of all undergraduate college students were Black.
6. In 2018-19, 16% of Black students were served under the IDEA, but only 7% of them served under the services for emotional disturbances.
7. In 2019, 11.7% of staff members working at college counselling centres were Black.

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New Hope for the future of Black youths

In this multimedia project, I want to introduce an organization that supplies hope to Black youths. This subject is quite significant to me, being that I am a member of this particular community.

Today, the youth of the Black community in Alberta is introduced to the Realize Your Potential Youth Society. A non-profit organization developed by Sharon Cornwall alongside a group of her determined co-founders.

This organization is a mentorship and educational endeavour for descendants of the African diaspora. It provides a sense of hope to in terms of supplying a support system that allows for members to learn resilience, emotional regulation, and valuable life and career skills. The organization also prides itself on providing a safe haven where members can cultivate relationships, overcome challenges, acquire confidence and gain opportunities.

Interview with Desiree Henry

Desiree Henry is the co-founder/programs manager of the organization and in this interview, she shares insight into what it is like to be a part of a program that works on the educational, mental and personal growth of black youth as well as how it helps them gain hope.

Personal Reflection:

As a Black student, I believe this organization will impact Black youths positively. It will help open doors for students and provide them with core values that will improve their personal and educational well being. I admire the main focus on particular skills that help members, cultivate positive emotions, enhance personal resilience, promote mindfulness and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, as a member of the African Diaspora, I am grateful that this organization will mold confident, intelligent and diligent Black men and women of the future.