BYMLP MENTOR RECRUITMENT 2026 - Application Deadline February 6, 2026

The Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program is a unique, made-in-Alberta initiative to socially and economically empower Black youth, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to Canadian society. The goal of the program is to improve economic outcomes, community belonging, and leadership skills, as well as encourage a positive cultural identity for Black youths.

The program aims to engage Black youth in innovative research and provide them with internship opportunities to maximize their experiential learning and facilitate their upward mobility.

The primary objectives of the program are to:

  • Increase leadership skills of Black youth.
  • Increase post-secondary entry and completion rates for Black youth.
  • Promote community belonging for Black youth.
  • Create a positive cultural identity for Black youth.
  • Increase the ability of Black youth to tackle issues of racism and discrimination.

Annually, we recruit faculty members from all over Canada, where faculty mentors, alongside community mentors who are professionals from diverse fields, provide in-person or online mentoring opportunities to these youths. Mentors are required to do the following:

  • Provide mentorship for these youths for 6 weeks during the summer to achieve the objectives of the BYMLP
  • Mentors are expected to provide in-person or online experience or skill(s) for students to learn from during the six weeks.

Please note that mentors are not paid for mentoring these youths, However, the youths are compensated for their participation in the program, which requires them to commit at least 6 hours each day for in-person learning over the 6 weeks. Additionally, they will attend seminars, visit significant landmarks, and take part in workshops that will be organized centrally.

This form is confidential. The information you provide will help us match/address your interest within the program and assign youths with similar interests in the program.

Salutation / Designation
City of Residence
Preferred mentorship Location
Highest level of education completed
Are you 18 years old or older?
What racial group do you identify with (check all that apply)

All mentees are required to complete a project as part of their training. We require two types of Mentors.

(1) Mentors who will provide a project for mentees to engage with and work on for the duration of the program (for up to 4 days a week from July 2 to August 7, 2026).

(2) Mentors who will have a more hands off approach in terms of project work, but can meet with a mentee for 1 hour a week for one-to-one mentorship.      

In the past, mentees have worked on projects such as developing a registry of different services and supports available for Black families, assisting with literature reviews, data collection, data cleaning, data analysis, and organizing/participating in conversation cafes.

How would you like to work?
The Black Youth Mentorship Program provides stipends to Black youth participating in our program. To expand opportunities and support more participants, we welcome matching funds from researchers who can contribute through their existing research funding. If you are a researcher, do you have funding available to support a Black high school youth summer student within your research program? Your support would help create valuable mentorship and learning experiences for more youth. (Please note that our funding is currently limited)
Which of these languages do you speak and understand (select all that apply)
If public health guidelines permit in-person mentorship, would you be available to meet with the youths face-to-face?
How did you hear about the BYMLP mentor opportunity?
By signing this form, I indicate that I have read and understood the time commitment required from mentors
By signing this form, I indicate that I understand my role as a mentor in the BYMLP
By signing this form, I indicate that I have access to a reliable internet service and will be able to join Zoom meetings
By signing this form, I indicate that I am willing to apply for a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check (BYMLP will cover the cost)
By signing this form, I indicate that I am agreeing to meet with my mentee (s) once a week (for community mentors) and 3-5 times a week (for project/faculty mentors) from July to August 2026
Sign above

Thank you for completing this application. Please note that we have limited funding and capacity, thus we will only select mentors based on our funding for the mentees and our capacity. However, all applicants will be communicated on the outcome of this application.

Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.