Mentorship plays a critical role in our program, as research consistently highlights the positive impact that mentoring, especially from professionals who share similar identities and backgrounds, has on Black youth. Studies show that Black youth in North America, particularly those from areas where they are a small minority, often benefit greatly from interacting with Black professionals in STEM fields. This connection not only helps them develop a greater interest in STEM careers but also combats the harmful stereotypes often portrayed in media, which typically limit Black people to roles in sports or the arts (Cunningham, 2018; McGee & Bentley, 2017).
In Kingston, Ontario, where the Black community is a small minority, BYiS provides an essential opportunity for Black youth to interact with mentors who share their lived experiences. This is especially important, as mentorship serves to counteract the pervasive negative stereotypes of Black individuals’ capabilities in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By engaging with role models who look like them and who have navigated similar societal challenges, participants gain confidence and a sense of belonging in spaces that have traditionally been exclusive.
Our program ensures mentorship occurs at all levels. Instructors, who are predominantly from the Black or BIPOC communities, act as the primary mentors and role models. These instructors, through their own stories and lived experiences, actively encourage students to engage with the content, share their challenges, and persist in completing their tasks. Importantly, our instructors also receive mentorship from BYiS's leadership team, creating a support system that is both holistic and empowering.
Furthermore, each BYiS workshop educates students about the work of Black professionals in STEM fields relevant to the session’s content. This not only raises awareness of the diversity of Black STEM professionals globally but also broadens students’ worldview, showing them that Black people thrive in STEM careers around the world, from Africa to the Americas. Research has shown that when youth see themselves represented in diverse STEM fields, their interest and academic outcomes improve (Morris, 2018).
Mentorship at BYiS extends beyond a single interaction. It provides students with sustained engagement and deeper exploration of STEM concepts, which has proven to foster stronger academic self-perception and motivation. Many parents have attested to the positive academic and social impacts of mentorship. For example, one parent shared, “The benefits to my children are immense! Socially, they are able to grow their connections with people that look like them in Kingston, both teachers and students alike! Academically, they are positioned to grow into the world of science which is exciting.”
Black Youth in STEM employs a transformational mentorship model, as described by David Nour in Harvard Business Review (2002), which emphasizes mutual growth for both mentors and mentees. Our program intentionally includes members of Queen’s University’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE-QU) and other Black university students as mentors. This strategy allows for impactful interactions between K-12 students and university-level mentors who serve not only as academic guides but also as cultural touchstones. By including undergraduate and graduate students in mentorship roles, BYiS fosters a sense of community for both the youth and the mentors themselves. University students report that they find the experience incredibly rewarding, as they connect with younger students and instructors who share their cultural background. This sense of belonging strengthens their role as mentors and enriches the mentorship experience for the students they guide.
Incorporating mentorship through both peer and professional models has a lasting effect on the academic trajectory of Black youth, contributing to both their personal and academic growth. By offering mentorship that is culturally relevant and rooted in the lived experiences of the Black community, BYiS helps participants overcome barriers to success and envision brighter futures in STEM careers.