Already there the citizen participation of young Black people in Quebec

Already there

the citizen participation of young Black people in Quebec

Photo credit: Nuxcine
Author.ice: Ariane Kamdoum, president of the FJAQ

Very often, the term “civic participation” is associated with voting or official institutions. This view contributes to obscuring the contribution of young people from Quebec’s Black communities, as well as other youth living in marginalized situations.
With this series, our intention is twofold: to recognize and give visibility to the forms of engagement already present among these young people, and to open up the field of possibilities so that their voices can resonate everywhere—including in decision-making spaces where they are still largely absent.

Recognize what already exists

If we put aside the narrow view of civic participation for a moment, it becomes undeniable that young people from Quebec’s Black communities are essential actors in their communities. When we are comfortable with the multifaceted nature of civic participation, the observation becomes clear: our communities are already organizing, and young people are at the heart of this organization.
In 2025, a survey conducted by the Sommet Jeunes Afro among 1,463 young people from Black communities revealed that nearly 68% already believe they are contributing positively to their community.
Cultural initiatives, artistic collectives, community support, school projects, and involvement in neighborhood organizations are some of the forms of engagement among young people from Quebec’s Black communities. Notably, 27% of Black youth report actively participating in cultural organizations, compared to only 10% of other youth. This overinvestment demonstrates creativity and a desire to nurture collective identity despite persistent obstacles.
Identifying these forms of engagement also means understanding that they take place in a context marked by inequality. More than 83% of Black youth say they have experienced discrimination related to their identity, and 66% report being treated unfairly in their interactions with public services, compared to only 29% of other youth (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse).
In other words, Black youth actively participate in civic life, but in an environment where their legitimacy is still too often questioned. Their engagement is not only a social contribution: it is also an act of resistance and a political affirmation.

Why is it political?

Recognizing the forms of engagement of Black youth is a profoundly political gesture. It first helps deconstruct the myth of a demobilized youth. Too often, Black youth are portrayed in public discourse as disengaged, indifferent, or withdrawn. This reductive view renders their creativity, initiative, and resilience invisible.

Highlighting real engagement also means breaking the disembodied vision of youth on the margins of society. Recent data, on the contrary, show a resolutely active youth population, making concrete contributions to community life—whether through cultural projects, mutual aid, activism, or social innovation.

By recognizing these practices as true forms of civic participation, we affirm that these young people are full members of their community and of Quebec as a whole.
Finally, valuing this engagement sends a clear signal to decision-makers and institutions. It allows us to better understand where and how to reach these young people, and, above all, how to invest in them. The venues for Black youth engagement are sometimes different from traditional channels, but they hold immense collective potential. For public policy, this is an opportunity to connect with a generation that is already inventing its own ways of forming society, and to build truly inclusive strategies.

Expand the scope of action

The citizen participation of young Black people is already very real. The question is not to “start”, but to recognize and strengthen what exists. For this, two dimensions must be considered: the role of institutions and support for an increased presence in decision-making spaces.

Institutions—whether municipalities, schools, public organizations, or donors—have a clear responsibility: to promote and sustainably support initiatives that are already emerging from communities. This can be achieved through:

Funding programs that respect the autonomy of community projects instead of forcing them to conform to predefined frameworks.
Official recognition (media, political, academic) of local initiatives as legitimate forms of citizenship.
Equal partnerships, where young people are considered as actors and not as “beneficiaries.”

Recognizing these initiatives as genuine civic practices broadens the definition of citizenship itself.

Beyond recognizing what already exists, it is also essential to support the presence of young Black people in places where their voices are still too rarely heard: municipal councils, consultative bodies, roundtables, research and public decision-making spaces. The challenge here is not to “assimilate” young people into inherited structures, but to:

Create inclusive conditions that enable their participation without erasing their realities and perspectives.
Provide support (mentoring, financial resources, appropriate training) that gives young people the opportunity to express themselves and influence without being marginalized.
Promote the transformation of the institutions themselves so that they become truly representative and welcoming.

The objective is to enrich institutions with the contribution of these young people through their realities and creativity.

The data is clear: young Black people in Quebec are already engaged, creative, and supportive, but their contribution remains under-recognized. The real question is therefore not “how to begin participating,” but “how to expand and enhance the participation that already exists.”