FAQ

Those applying to the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program in the year 2021 must meet the following requirements:

• Identify as a Black youth
• Be in Grade 10 or 11 at the time of application (Applicants in University are not eligible to be in the program)
• Able to attend all days of the mentorship program full time in the summer 2021 and 3 hours a month in Winter 2021
• Reside in Edmonton and/or surrounding areas
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or refugee claimant
• Have parents consent to participate in the mentorship program

Youths in Grade 10 and 11 are eligible to apply for the mentorship program.  Generally, youths in the mentorship program are between the ages of 16 and 21.  We focus more on the applicants being in high school (grades 10 and 11) regardless of their age.

The Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program seeks to socially and economically empower Black youths to contribute meaningfully to the society.  Participants in the program must identify as a Black youth.  Black populations in Canada include members of historical black communities, African immigrants, Caribbean immigrants, African/Black Americans and Blacks from other countries (such as South America).

The program is only open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and refugee claimants.

Applicants to the program must submit an essay and complete an application form. Two reviewers independently score these materials prior to acceptance into the program. We are looking for applicants who are motivated and committed to complete the mentorship program and who are most likely to benefit from mentorship. The admissions committee will discuss the applications based on ratings of two reviewers on documents submitted and performance during interviews.

We will identify successful candidates for interviews in May 2021.  Those who are interviewed will know by late May if they are accepted into the program. You will receive all information by email

The BYMLP will run from July 05, 2021 to August 13, 2021. You will also attend monthly workshops in the Winter on weekends.

Each student will be paired with either a university professor, or another professional in from a private company, the public sector, or a community organization. You will also have a graduate or undergraduate student mentor you on the project you will complete for the program.

We will assign you to a mentor who works in the career that you listed as your main career interest in your application.

You will spend 3 days a week engaged in individual mentorship with a professional, faculty and/or graduate student and gain practical experience.  Students will also engage in a group mentorship experience one day a week with a senior undergraduate or graduate student while also completing a group project. Students will spend one day a week engaging in workshops. To further improve outcomes, students will attend mentorship-related activities once a month (around 3 hours a month) on weekends from September to December 2021.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the program will be offered online over the summer.  At the current moment, we are unsure if the Fall workshops will be offered online or in person.

You should expect to spend 35 hours a week during the summer months (July and August) and 3 hours a month during the Winter on program activities.

We are currently in the process of arranging for students to receive high school credit for participating in the program.

Grades are not used to determine who gets into the program.  However, we require your transcript to track your progress.

The program will require full-time attendance 5 days per week from July 13, 2021, to August 13, 2021.

Information on last year's program is available here. Information on this year's program will be available on e-class upon admission.

The program contributed to improving the economic outcomes and community belonging of youths last year. Last year's report is available here.

If you have a question that is not listed above please email bymp@ualberta.ca