Building Black Youth Future Resilience Project
The goal of the BBYFR project is to ensure that Black children and youth have the tools they need to succeed in education and the job market of tomorrow via technical skills development and unique growth opportunities.
BBYFR Program Overview
The BBYFR project is an initiative to support economically disadvantaged Black youth in Ottawa. It was introduced by the Ontario Trillium Foundation in November of 2022. The Somali Centre for Family Services has received a 2-year funding agreement for the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Project. BBYFR aims to help guide Black youth secure employment in STEM fields.
Our Goals
The Building Black Youth Future Resilience Project offers age-appropriate STEM activities and workshops.
BBYFR provides a 10-week employment readiness program that focuses on career navigation, resume-building, interview preparedness, email etiquette and positive work relationship development techniques.
BBYFR also supports goal-setting via financial literacy workshops and academic coaching.
The project is facilitated by Black instructors and professionals from various STEM fields.
Program Outcome & Strategic Plan (2 Years)
Offers weekly trauma-informed training and support for Black youth
Youth Education
The project offers weekly trauma-informed training and support for Black youth, facilitated by local Black professionals. The training covers
- Life skills
- Employment skills
- Opportunities
- Justice education
- Financial literacy
Youth Employability
This project offers a 5-day training program covering skills, career guidance, CV and cover letter preparation, interview preparation, mentorship, networking, job seeker database access, job search tools, and job/internship placement assistance.
Youth Empowerment
This project empowers youth through summer camps, workshops, clubs, and community outreach, offering mentorship, STEM training, and activities to support their pursuit of employment opportunities.
BBYFR Committee
Offering weekly basketball, soccer, camps, and ski trips.
Chanda Jones
Chanda Jones is the Founder and CEO of Future Paths Network, a grassroot non-profit dedicated to supporting black youth transitioning from foster care. As an ambassador of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, she is an advocate for positive change. Chanda’s passion lies in offering mentorship and creating nurturing environments for young individuals in entrepreneurship, entertainment, and culture. As a youth program consultant, she helps organizations achieve effective engagement, contributing to the prosperity of black youth and fostering community connections. Chanda’s impactful work centers on bridging pathways to new opportunities and creating a brighter future for the youth she serves.
Tolorunlogo Akinrinola
Tolorunlogo Akinrinola is a Nigerian-born Canadian passionate about combating racial inequalities through education, art, and community building.
Tolorunlogo is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Masters of Education program, as well as a graduate of the third cohort of the Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today Black Diplomats Academy (BDA Academy) – where he was selected as a delegate to the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. He won the Rising Star award at BDA Academy. Tolorunlogo is also an artist who has had his work featured at the Ottawa Art Gallery and in exhibitions in London and Toronto.
Tolorunlogo is an up-and-coming policy analyst looking to dismantle the School-to-Prison pipeline that disproportionally affects youth of African descent. Currently, he is the Director of Future Paths Network and an Executive Board Member of Minds-On, both grassroots non-profit organizations that aim to shape an equitable future for Black and racialized youth. On his ‘off days’, Tolorunlogo enjoys various hobbies, such as diverse cuisines, music, poetry, writing, origami, basketball, and reading.
Samira Awad
Samira is currently a fourth-year Science student at the University of Ottawa. Samira is excited to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and to be able to help Black youths succeed in their education and secure a job.
Ahmed Awad
Ahmed is a 5th year student studying at Western University in the Medical Sciences program. Ahmed is thrilled to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and look forward to helping Black youth explore the many opportunities in the STEM fields.
Nicole Greaves
Nicole is a community leader and advocate with a message of collaboration and positive engagement that facilitate individual and community well-being. She is a Holistic Care Consultant and Registered Nurse with many years of experience in the health and wellness sector.
Nicole is intentional about volunteering, mentoring and learning with families, seniors and youths from diverse communities. She is also the founding Director of “Ubuntu ConneXions Community Inc. with the vision of promoting and embodying community unity, collaborative works and caring to make a difference in our lifes’ journey.
She believes that self-care is a necessary investment plan for the mind and body. Her self-care investment portfolio includes rest, physical movement and spending time with family and friends embracing grace and gratitude.
Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee.
Hedaia Leandre
Hedaia is a 22 year old who is simultaneously studying Business Administration at Algonquin College and Medical Office Assistant at ABM College. She is passionate about community building, social inclusion and finding ways to be sustainable. She is also someone who loves to learn and research about the origins of certain topics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, dancing and baking sweets.
Hedaia decided to join the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee because she wants to contribute to the knowledge-development of the Black youths in our community. She believes that she will also have the opportunity to learn new skills and meet like-minded folks.
Trisha Islam
Trisha Islam is the Director of All That Kids Can Be at United Way East Ontario (UWEO). Trisha focuses on bringing together people and resources to ensure children, youth, and families are ready for school, have safe and stable housing, and are supported to navigate mental health, substance use, and addictions challenges.
She is a Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant and hopes for communities across East Ontario to be places where children and youth feel safe and seen, can be themselves, and have access to whatever they need to reach their dreams. Trisha brings knowledge and experience from working alongside youth-led collective impact initiatives across Canada, community and international development, social policy, food security, and financial empowerment.
Olantu Nini
Olantu Nini is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the vibrant capital city. Currently, a Grade 11 student at Immaculata High School. Alongside her academic pursuits, Olantu serves as one of the co-leads of the black student association at Immaculata. Her passion for inclusivity and fairness led her to join the BBYF committee.
Olantu believes in championing youth empowerment within her community and beyond. Leveraging her leadership role at school, she has worked diligently to foster awareness and facilitate open dialogues, particularly on accessing employment opportunities.
This year, Olantu’s focus for the Job Fair was amplifying the voices and experiences of Black students, a cause close to her heart. Beyond her school and BBYF commitments, Olantu indulges in photography and reading, two hobbies that fuel my creativity and curiosity. She is very enthusiastic about engaging in discussions centered on fairness and equality. Through her involvement with BBYF, she aspires to collaborate with like-minded individuals, fostering a thriving community where everyone’s unique contributions are valued and respected.
Upcoming training sessions
To register for an upcoming BBYFR training session, you can register using the button below.
BBYFR is Recruiting
BBYFR is seeking youth who are interested in joining its Youth Economic Equity Advisory Project Committee from January 2023 – January 2025. Recruitment is ongoing. If you want to get involved with the steering committee, follow this link.
