Lead the Change: Youth Leadership in Action

Rethinking Leadership

When people hear “leader,” they often think of politicians, principals, or CEOs. But leadership isn’t limited to people with fancy titles. True leadership is about influence—how you inspire, uplift, and mobilize others to take action.

For Black youth especially, leadership is powerful. Every time you speak up in class, mentor a younger student, or organize something in your community, you’re proving that leadership is not about age—it’s about courage.

Stories of Youth Leadership in Alberta

• The Peer Mentor: Jamal, 18, started tutoring younger students in his community. “At first, it was just me helping a cousin with homework,” he explains. “Soon, it became a weekly study group. Now, kids from across the neighborhood join.” Jamal’s leadership shows that helping one person can ripple into supporting many.

• The Event Organizer: Naomi, 16, worked with her school to plan a Black History Month assembly that included music, dance, and student-led talks. The event not only educated but celebrated heritage—and made space for voices that are too often silenced.

• The Community Builder: A youth council in Calgary launched a peer-support circle for high school students. By creating a safe space for youth to share challenges and solutions, they showed that leadership can look like listening and building trust.

These stories prove that leadership isn’t about waiting—it’s about stepping up where you are.

Your Leadership Toolkit

If you want to step into leadership, you don’t need permission. Start with what you have, where you are.

• Start Small: Organize a clean-up at a local park, create a study group, or start a cultural club at your school. Small steps build confidence.

• Build Partnerships: Connect with teachers, mentors, or community organizations like AIFY that can provide guidance and amplify your efforts.

• Communicate Clearly: Leadership often comes down to how well you share your ideas. Practice speaking confidently, writing your thoughts down, and listening to others.

• Plan for Impact: Good leaders think ahead. Write down your goal, what resources you need, and who can help. Even simple project planning can take an idea from dream to reality.

Why Youth Leadership Matters Now

Our communities need new voices. Systems that were not built for us can only change if we lead within them and beyond them. When Black youth step into leadership, they create space not just for themselves but for those coming after them.

Think about it: if you show your school that youth voices matter, you’re opening the door for younger students to be heard too. If you take a stand in your neighborhood, you’re setting an example for your peers. Youth leadership multiplies impact—it’s never just about you, it’s about us.

Final Thoughts

Leadership is not about waiting until you’re older, richer, or more “qualified.” It’s about choosing to act now. Alberta’s Black youth are already leading—in classrooms, in communities, and online. The next leader we celebrate could be you.