Dozens of youth from East African backgrounds gathered at the Center for Newcomers in Calgary on Saturday during an event aimed at helping them achieve their full potential.
Adi Iyasu Sahili moved to Canada from Ethiopia 12 years ago. She said that even as a skilled worker and fluent in English, she missed out on job opportunities due to discrimination.
“It can be really shocking, but to be honest as a black person, facing racism or discrimination, it felt like the air you were breathing,” Sahili said.
Many people don’t think racism exists, but especially for black people and people of color like Indigenous people, the level of discrimination is really severe.
That’s the kind of racism you face as a black man. But I don’t just want to complain – I want to bring a solution. That’s why we’re working around racism and helping black youth because if someone doesn’t feel valued, their mental health isn’t going to get better,” Sahili said.
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As executive director of the Immigrant Outreach Society (IOS) – a black-led non-profit organization that provides culturally appropriate mental health interventions for ethnic minorities in East Africa – Sahili co-hosts the “Stepping Into Your Future” Black Youth Event has been organized.
The event, held on Saturday, aimed to connect youth in East Africa with services they may not otherwise have access to.
“I know from my youth that they never get a chance to connect with him. They don’t know what kind of services they are providing, so it is a big hurdle.
“I’m a black youth in Calgary, so I had to be a part of this program to help people like me feel included and respected,” volunteered Kalkidan Debele, a grade 11 student at Bishop O’Byrne High School Said. events.
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She wants to help other young people feel that they can appreciate their ethnicity.
“If you feel like you’re insecure about your background or your language, just know that there is a place for you. You don’t have to change yourself. You are valuable. You are important. Your beliefs matter.” Your experiences are important,” said Debele.
Deborah Mahri is a University of Calgary student born in Eritrea. She’s on a mission to empower other black immigrants, helping them to ditch the “learned helplessness” that she says keeps some people from achieving their full potential.
“We have learned this helplessness as a visible minority. If I come out in my freedom and live in freedom, and not under this learned helplessness of a visible minority or underdog mentality, I think that’s what they’re facing – that sort of thing becomes a self-fulfillment. is prophetic,” Mehari said.
Saturday’s event also featured members of the Calgary Police Service, which organizers said would help reduce animosity between the CPS and the youth.
The Immigrant Outreach Society is hosting several more community events over the next few weeks as part of Black History Month.
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