Black Youth Justice Program

Level’s Black Youth Justice Program (BYJP) is an innovative justice education and mentorship program for Black youth aged 11 - 18.

Increases students' knowledge of the legal system and legal issues facing Black youth

Builds positive relations between Black youth and the legal sector

Imparts important leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking skills

Enhances accessibility to the Canadian legal system via legal education and mentorship

Sparks interest in careers within and beyond the justice sector

Celebrates Black-Canadian heritage, cultures, narratives, and legal systems

About the Program

  • BYJP focuses on culturally-relevant programming for Black youth aged 11-18 years in Canada

  • BYJP is delivered by Black identifying program facilitators who work or study within the legal field

  • BYJP administers justice-based lessons and activities which may include discussion circles, worksheets, mock trials, lawyer visitations, and field trips

  • BYJP includes mentorship by Black identifying lawyers and law students

  • BYJP enhances students' leadership, critical thinking skills, public speaking, and cultural pride

Black youth are disproportionately represented in every aspect of the Canadian criminal justice system. For instance, the rate of incarceration of Black Canadians is approximately three times their proportion of the general Canadian population. In addition to being overrepresented at every stage of the justice system, Black people are also underrepresented in administering justice. The Law Society of Ontario is the largest self-governing legal body in Canada with more than 55,000 lawyers and 9,000 paralegals as members. Only 29.3% of Ontario’s lawyers in 2018 identified as racialized. This points to a need for preventative justice programming that tackles the overrepresentation of Black youth in the justice system and the underrepresentation of Black people in administering justice.

Program Rationale

  • "My experience with the Black Youth Justice Program highlighted the immense potential of empowering young Black participants with knowledge of the justice system. Through engaging presentations, we have the open doors for them to envision themselves as future leaders in law and justice... the BYJP plays a crucial role in demystifying the justice system for our youth, helping to reduce the fear and mistrust associated with it. By providing them with knowledge and firsthand insights, the program young people to see the legal system not as something to fear, but as a field where they can thrive and make a difference."

    Jeff Rogers, Facilitator (Halifax)

  • "Level Justice has been a valued member of our learning community, who have been a joy to work with. Through our school's time with them, the TMU, York U and other legal community facilitators shared authentic lessons and experiences that our kids enjoyed and appreciated.  Aisha, Caitlyn and the other legal community facilitators shared the kind of joy with our students and staff that only comes with the building of authentically empathic relationships..."

    Tim Tucci, Teacher (Toronto)

The Program in Action

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Meet the Program Support

Featured
The Black Youth Justice Program Expands in Toronto
The Black Youth Justice Program Expands in Toronto

On May 13th, 2024, the students of York Memorial Collegiate Institute’s grade 12 law class attended a Black Youth Justice Program session. This is the sixth program delivery of BYJP in the country this year.

The Black Youth Justice Program Students Enjoy a Trip to McCarthy Tétrault’s Offices
The Black Youth Justice Program Students Enjoy a Trip to McCarthy Tétrault’s Offices

On April 21st, 2023, the students of Emery Collegiate’s Law class enjoyed a field trip to the offices of Level’s Premier Partner, McCarthy Tétrault, in Toronto.

Partnerships for Impact - McCarthy Tétrault & Level working together to level the barriers to justice
Partnerships for Impact - McCarthy Tétrault & Level working together to level the barriers to justice

We are proud to announce our Premier Partnership with McCarthy Tétrault in support of Black & Indigenous youth.

BYJP Updates

Get Involved.

Do you want to bring this program to your community? Are you interested in volunteering or facilitating with this program?