Ottawa’s Black Youth Forum to Relaunch Independently in 2024

Ottawa’s Black Youth Forum, a grassroots initiative aimed at supporting Black youth, will relaunch in February 2024 without the partnership of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). The program, which has provided a safe space for Black students, previously collaborated with the OCDSB to offer an accredited interdisciplinary course for high school students. According to founder Adrienne Coddett, the decision to part ways was necessary for the program to thrive.

Coddett stated, “If the system does not celebrate your contribution and who your lived experience has helped you become, that container is too small.” This sentiment aligns with findings from a report by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which identified the scarcity of safe, dedicated spaces for Black students as a significant concern. Coddett emphasized that the Black Youth Forum emerged as a response to systemic issues, particularly the low expectations placed on Black students, which she described as “death by low expectations.”

New Beginnings and Opportunities

In the wake of this separation, Coddett is optimistic about reimagining the program. “I know why the caged bird sings. It sings of freedom,” she expressed, highlighting her commitment to creating a program that offers more than just academic credits. The new initiative aims to incorporate broader incentives, allowing for a holistic approach that fosters empowerment and growth within the community.

While the Black Youth Forum plans its independent relaunch, the OCDSB confirmed that a version of the course is still being offered online, which began on November 18, 2023, with 34 students enrolled. The board has indicated that students and staff will work together to plan experiential learning opportunities throughout the course duration, though details about potential in-person forums remain unclear.

Coddett’s initiative previously attracted between 40 and 70 students per weekly session, with hundreds registering for the annual forum held each May. Awad Ibrahim, vice-provost of equity at the University of Ottawa and a program partner, expressed concern over the board’s decision to move the course online without consulting stakeholders. “It would be lost if it’s an online course because that’s not the idea. The idea is to have the presence, the experience,” Ibrahim noted.

Envisioning a Transformative Future

As Coddett prepares to reinvent the Black Youth Forum, she recognizes the foundation laid over the past eight cohorts. “We do need to reimagine and reinvent ourselves as well,” she said. The new direction will shift the program’s focus from struggles and survival to celebrating the potential for growth and transformation within the Black community.

Coddett’s vision aims to empower participants, fostering an environment where they can thrive and evolve. With the upcoming relaunch, the Black Youth Forum hopes to continue its mission to uplift and support Black youth, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in a supportive atmosphere.