Building Our Circle
This worldview sees events as connected and part of a bigger circle, prioritizing community and collective uplift.
What is the Africentric worldview/principles/ways of knowing?
Afrika is thought of as poor, a country, lacking diversity and having no history.
What are the myths of Afrika?
It’s about how we think, feel, and act — including our emotions, relationships, and overall well-being. Everyone has it, just like physical health.
What is mental health?
Being treated unfairly or judged because you’re Black — like when students get harsher punishment for the same behaviours.
What is racism?
Caring for yourself, knowing your worth, and treating yourself with respect. It’s powerful because it’s a way of resisting a world that often tries to make Black youth feel “less than.”
What is self-love?
At the beginning and end of each session we check in with you and ask.
What is You Good?
This is how we learn about race from family, friends, school, media, and everyday life. It helps prepare Black youth to deal with racism, stay strong, and not believe negative messages about themselves.
What is racial socialization?
Some ways of dealing with stress are helpful, like journaling or talking to a friend. Others, like substance use, may seem to help at first but can hurt over time — leading to needing more, ignoring responsibilities, or damaging relationships.
What is the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping?
or
What is healthy and unhealthy coping?
Being Black can affect youth mental health in many ways — through unfair systems, relationships, and even the thoughts we have about ourselves. Some of the main threats include racism, racial injury, racial stress, racial trauma, and racial battle fatigue.
What are threats to Black youth mental health?
In relationships, these are the “green flags” that show self-love and respect are present — like listening, respecting boundaries, and celebrating each other. The “red flags” are the opposite — like guilt-tripping, insults, or ignoring your feelings.
*Hint: Not, what are green/red flags?
What are healthy and unhealthy relationships?
A culturally affirming program that focuses on unity, resilience and mental wellness to promote greater academic success among students of Afrikan descent in Grades 9-12.
What is Let's Talk the Talk?
This is how we learn about our community’s pride, history, traditions, and values — like where we come from, what we celebrate, and what makes us strong. It builds pride in being Black and creates a strong sense of belonging.
What is cultural socialization?
This is a condition that can affect mood, thoughts, or behaviour — like depression or anxiety. Living with it doesn’t mean you can’t also have good mental health if you have support and tools.
What is mental illness?
Black youth can protect their mental health by using these three tools:
1️⃣ noticing feelings, setting boundaries, and knowing your worth.
2️⃣ challenging harmful systems and standing proud in your identity.
3️⃣ healing, adapting, and leaning on culture, friends, or community for strength.
What are ways to mitigate threats to Black youth mental health?
What is resistance?
What is resilience?
What is self-awareness?
These harmful stereotypes were created during slavery and colonization to control Black bodies and justify violence — like the Jezebel myth (Black women seen as hypersexual), the Mandingo myth (Black men seen as sexually dangerous), and the Sapphire stereotype (Black women seen as angry or “too much”).
What are Black sexual myths?
or
What are Black myths?
This concept is about being proud of our Afrikan roots, history, and culture — knowing our story began with kingdoms, innovation, art, and leadership, not just slavery or oppression. It reminds us that no matter if we’re Jamaican, Ghanaian, or Canadian-born, we are connected through the same continent.
What is Afrikan self-consciousness?