Backed by recent studies and real-world stories, the discussion will highlight ways to create inclusive, supportive mentoring spaces for youth, fostering resilience, confidence, and pathways to success. This event is essential for those looking to deepen their understanding of mentorship's role in advancing equity and supporting racialized youth.

Dr. Bukola Salami, RN, BScN, MN, PhD, FCAN, FAAN

Professor Bukola Salami is a Full Professor at the Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary. Professor Salami’s research program focuses on the well-being of Black, immigrant, and racialized people. She has been involved in over 90 funded studies totalling over $230 million. She recently received a $2.5 million SSHRC Partnership Grant titled Transforming the Lives of Black Children and Youth in Canada. She founded and leads the African Child and Youth Migration Network, a network of 42 scholars from four continents. In 2020, she founded the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program, the first university-based fully interdisciplinary mentorship program for Black youths in Western Canada. Her work on Black youth mental health informed the creation of the first mental health clinic for Black Canadians in Western Canada. She has presented her work to policy makers (including the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health). Professor Salami is Vice President of the Canadian Nurses Association and board member of Black Opportunity Fund. She is a council member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, an advisory board member of the CIHR Institute for Human Development, Child and Youth Health, and on the Scientific Advisory Committee on Global Health to the Government of Canada.

Dr. Jillian Paragg

Jillian Paragg is a Research Associate at the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC). She has experience in research and program evaluation including community-based and mixed methods designs as well as feasibility studies focused on health, employment, and equity. Jillian holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Alberta, where her research focused on racialization, multiculturalism, and mixed race identity, drawing on qualitative approaches.

Priscilla Wiafoah Twum

Priscilla Wiafoah Twum is a second-year MA. Public Administration student at the University of Ottawa with a passion for evidence-based policy analysis and governance. Her research examines public management principles and policies that prioritize citizen-centric initiatives, particularly for vulnerable social groups, with a focus on equity, inclusion, and social justice.

As a Peer Researcher with the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), Priscilla is involved in a project to strengthen mentoring and skill-building opportunities for racialized youth. This work aligns with her dedication to designing policies that uplift marginalized communities and create sustainable solutions through data-driven insights.

Mahalia Johnna Baguio

Mahalia Johnna Baguio is an aspiring health researcher and community organizer. Her work primarily focuses on amplifying the voices of equity-deserving communities and strives to utilize her research background to engage in meaningful work. Mahalia holds a MSc in Health: Sciences, Technology and Policy from Carleton University, where she focused on applying a trauma and violence-informed framework to inform data management practices for community-based health research. 

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