Mississauga — The Ontario government has announced $16.5 million in new funding to expand the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP), supporting more than 65 Black-focused programs across the province. The investment is aimed at removing systemic barriers and equipping Black youth and young professionals with the skills, training, and connections needed to thrive in high-demand sectors.
“By investing in the Black Youth Action Plan, our government is helping youth and young professionals build the skills, confidence and connections needed in high-demand sectors,” said Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “Investments like these are part of our collective efforts to remove barriers and build thriving communities across Ontario where everyone can contribute, succeed and truly belong.”
Expanding Opportunities Through BYAP
The $16.5 million will be distributed to more than 55 organizations with a record of delivering culturally responsive programs for Black children, youth, and families. Since its launch in 2018, BYAP has supported improved outcomes for over 90,000 participants.
The funding will enhance programming in fields ranging from science and technology to arts, sports, and skilled trades. Since 2020, more than 20,000 Black youth and young professionals have benefited from BYAP’s Economic Empowerment stream, which provides career-focused training and mentorship in sectors such as health, information technology, automotive, film, and the arts.
Among the organizations receiving support this year are:
- Youth Taking Flight (YTF): delivering hands-on STEM education, including aerospace and aviation training, to inspire creativity and career exploration.
- Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (YAAACE): tackling inequities in Toronto’s Jane and Finch community by offering academics, athletics, experiential learning, and employment programs.
- OYA Black Arts Coalition: advancing technical skills and professional development for emerging Black artists and creators in the entertainment industry.
“The Black Youth Action Plan will empower us to continue to take our STEM programs, especially our Aerospace and Aviation training, to new heights,” said Michelle Minott, Program Development & Administration Director at Youth Taking Flight. “By combining hands-on learning, mentorship, and leadership development, we’re opening up exciting career pathways and showing young people, particularly Black youth, that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.”
Broader Impact Across Ontario
Government officials framed the funding as part of Ontario’s larger plan to build a stronger and more inclusive economy. Since 2020, the province has invested $152 million through BYAP’s Economic Empowerment stream, in addition to supporting initiatives like culturally focused parenting programs, mentorship networks, wellness initiatives, and community outreach.
Other BYAP programs include Students and Family Advocates, Innovative Supports for Black Parents, Industry-Led Career Initiatives, the DMZ Black Innovation Program, and the Black Employment Support Program. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive support network designed to address systemic inequities and prepare Black youth for leadership roles in their communities and industries.
Hon. Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, highlighted the impact on Black women in particular: “We know that building a more just and inclusive province starts with investing in the next generation of Black Leaders and Professionals. Expanding the economic empowerment stream of the Black Youth Action Plan is crucial in providing Black youth, especially Black women, with the tools they need to build their careers, strengthen their communities, and achieve financial success. Black women are the heart of Black families, and when Black women succeed, Ontario succeeds.”
Community Voices
Local organizations stressed the importance of funding for frontline programs that directly support young people and families.
“This initiative has transformed lives. Through the Student and Family Advocates program, MFRC has supported over 600 Black children, youth and their families with school advocacy, after-school programs, career development and food security,” said Josh Berman, Executive Director of the Malvern Family Resource Centre. “By tackling systemic barriers, this program supports academic success and helps disrupt the cycles of exclusion and instability too many families face.”
Patrice Barnes, Chair of the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity and Advocate for Community Opportunities, emphasized the broader benefits: “This investment is about unlocking potential and creating pathways to success. By supporting organizations rooted in community, we help ensure Black youth have access to the tools, skills and networks they need to build meaningful careers and strengthen their communities.”
Marina Nguyen, Director of Corporate Civic Engagement, Employment & Training at YAAACE, said the investment underscores a long-term commitment to youth empowerment. “The Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (YAAACE) welcomes the government’s $16.5 million investment in the Black Youth Action Plan. This investment affirms this government’s commitment to advancing economic empowerment opportunities for Black youth across Ontario. As a Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving organization, the funding we received through the Plan has helped youth in Jane and Finch explore careers in emerging sectors, equip them with the tools they need to succeed and connect them to placements and internships.”
Looking Forward
The Ontario government’s latest commitment signals continuity in its approach to economic empowerment and equity. With tens of thousands of Black youth already supported since BYAP’s inception, officials say the latest round of funding will expand opportunities and foster stronger, more resilient communities across the province.
For the young professionals involved, the programs offer more than just training—they represent tangible pathways to economic independence, leadership, and participation in Ontario’s growth sectors.
