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 (“BYJP”) session. The BYJP is an innovative justice education program for Black youth aged 11 to 18 years. It focuses on providing culturally relevant programming that specifically speaks to the lived experiences of Black individuals and communities. The program is delivered to Black youth by Black identifying program facilitators who work or study within the legal field. This is the sixth program delivery of BYJP in the country this year.
The students of York Memorial Collegiate Institute are photographed here participating in BYJP’s third session, entitled Systemic Racism and Oppression. This particular session outlines concepts like anti-Black racism, power, privilege, and oppression as it pertains to the justice system. The students also participated in a discussion session and activities that illustrate the concepts.
These BYJP sessions were facilitated by Caitlyn Alegbe. Caitlyn is a first generation Canadian-Nigerian-Jamaican queer woman and a J.D. candidate at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law where she aspires to work with youth as a criminal lawyer. She has been serving as a facilitator for BYJP in the city of Toronto.
Should you be interested in bringing BYJP to your school, please contact Level’s Social Justice Program Manager, Fatima Ahmed.
