Building Our Legacy: Stronger Together with Our Fathers, Mentors, and Allies

As we reach the midpoint of June, AIFY wants to talk about the incredible power of our village – the network of people who uplift, guide, and champion us. This week, which includes Father's Day (Sunday, June 15th, 2025), offers a perfect moment to recognize the profound impact of Black fathers and positive male role models who nurture the dreams and confidence of our youth, especially our young Black women. But our village is vast. It also includes the mentors, elders, community leaders, and allies who stand with us, strengthening our journey as we build our individual and collective legacies.

For many young Black women, a supportive father or father figure can be an anchor of strength, a source of wisdom, and their first believer. These men teach resilience, model respect, and provide a secure base from which to explore the world and chase ambitions. Their belief can be a powerful catalyst, instilling the confidence that says, "Yes, you can." We celebrate these Kings who are actively involved in uplifting our Queens, fostering environments where young Black women feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead.

Beyond the family unit, mentors and community leaders play an indispensable role. They offer guidance drawn from lived experience, open doors to new opportunities, and provide a reflection of what’s possible. For Black youth in Alberta, seeing successful Black individuals in various fields – business, arts, community service, trades – creates relatable pathways and fuels aspiration. AIFY is committed to fostering these mentorship connections, knowing they are crucial for "crafting the future."

This week also falls within Indigenous History Month in Canada. This is a vital time for us, as Black youth in Alberta, to reflect on the importance of allyship and solidarity. Black and Indigenous communities share histories of resilience in the face of systemic oppression, and our struggles for justice and equality are interconnected. Understanding and supporting Indigenous sovereignty, learning about the true history of the land we live on (Treaty 6, 7, and 8 territories, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta Regions, encompass what is now Alberta), and amplifying Indigenous voices are acts of powerful allyship. When we stand together, when we learn from each other’s strength and advocate for one another, our collective call for a more just world becomes stronger. Building bridges between our communities enriches us all and is a critical part of building a legacy of unity and mutual respect.

Our legacy is built not just by individual achievement, but by the strength of our connections, the support we offer each other, and the solidarity we extend to those who share our journey towards liberation and empowerment. It's about understanding that we are all interconnected, and our collective strength is magnified when we uplift everyone in our village.