Black youth gather at Calgary event to help empower immigrants | 24CA News

Dozens of youth with East African backgrounds gathered on the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary on Saturday throughout an occasion aimed toward serving to them obtain their full potential.

Adi Eyassu Sahilie moved to Canada 12 12 months in the past from Ethiopia. She stated whilst a talented employee and fluent English, she missed job alternatives due to discrimination.

“It might be really shocking, but to be honest as a black person, facing racism or facing discrimination, it feels like the air you were breathing,” Sahilie stated.

Many individuals don’t suppose racism exists, however particularly for individuals of color, like Black individuals and Indigenous, the discrimination stage is absolutely extreme.

As a black individual you face that sort of racism however I don’t wish to simply complain — I wish to deliver an answer. That’s why we’re working round racism and serving to black youths as a result of if anybody doesn’t really feel valued, their psychological well being just isn’t going to be OK,” Sahilie stated.

As the chief director of the Immigrant Outreach Society (IOS) — a black led non-for-profit group that gives culturally acceptable psychological well being intervention for ethnic minorities from East Africa — Sahilie has organized the “Stepping Into Your Future” black youth occasion.

The occasion on Saturday was aimed toward connecting youth from East Africa to providers they won’t in any other case entry.

“I know from our youth that they never get a chance to connect with them. They don’t know what kind of services they are offering so that’s a huge barrier,” Sahilie stated.

“I am a black youth in Calgary, so I had to be a part of this event to help people like me feel included and to feel celebrated,” stated Kalkidan Debele, a grade 11 pupil at Bishop O’Byrne High School volunteered on the occasion.

She needs to assist different younger individuals really feel like they will admire their ethnicity.

“If you feel like you’re insecure of your background or your language, just know that there’s a place for you. You don’t have to change yourself. You are valued. You are important. Your beliefs are important. Your experiences are important,” Debele stated.

Dibora Mehari is a Calgary college pupil born in Eritrea. She’s on a mission to empower different Black immigrants, to assist them ditch the “learned helplessness” she says retains some individuals from attaining their full potential.

“We have this learned helplessness as a visible minority. If I come out in my freedom and live in liberty, not under this learned helplessness of a visible minority or the underdog mentality, I think that’s what they are facing — that kind of thing is a self fulfilling prophecy,” Mehari stated.

Saturday’s occasion additionally included members of the Calgary Police Service, which organizers stated will assist reduce animosity between CPS and youth.

The Immigrant Outreach Society is internet hosting a number of extra neighborhood occasions over the subsequent few weeks as a part of Black History Month.

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