The Experiences of Black First-generation Immigrant Youth Integrating Into the Ontario Education System

The experiences of Black first-generation immigrant youth tend to go unnoticed or can be clumped among Black youth as a whole, diminishing the uniqueness of these individuals' experiences. This research study aimed to highlight the voices of Black first-generation immigrant youth and discuss why their experiences of integration within the Ontario education system differ from Black youth as a whole. Within this research study, 6 Black first-generation immigrant youth in the GTA area were asked a series of questions about their integration into the Ontario educational system. Focusing on teachers, classmates, and school life entirely, each participant discussed positive and negative factors that affected their integration into the Ontario education system. Within the findings presented, the theoretical frameworks of critical race theory and anti-Black racism were used to highlight the issue of colourblindness within our academic institutions, the importance of Black representation among students and academic faculty, and highlight the need to promote and focus on Black immigrant youth success within our academic institutions.