The Black Youth Justice Program Recognized by the Canadian Law Awards
BYJP in action in a classroom in Toronto, ON.
Level’s Black Youth Justice Program (BYJP) is an innovative justice education and mentorship program for Black youth aged 11 - 18. It is delivered by Black identifying program facilitators who work or study within the legal field, administering justice-based lessons and activities which include discussion circles, worksheets, mock trials, lawyer visitations, and field trips. BYJP further includes mentorship by Black identifying lawyers and law students, enhancing students' leadership, critical thinking skills, public speaking, and cultural pride.
In 2025, BYJP was recognized by the Canadian Law Awards as an Excellence Awardee for the Diversity Initiative of the Year category. The Canadian Law Awards are presented by Canadian Lawyer, the resource of choice for the nation’s most forward-thinking legal professionals. The 6th Annual Canadian Law Awards honoured the exemplary achievements and unwavering dedication of legal professionals across the nation.
BYJP in action in a classroom in Toronto, ON.
The Black Youth Justice Program was recognized as an Excellence Awardee due to its goal of increasing diversity in the justice system. The program inspires and empowers youth to pursue legal justice careers while delivering justice education which centers the lived experiences, histories, and stories of Black individuals and communities.
In the 2024-2025 school year, BYJP completed 8 deliveries in 3 cities across Canada, including schools and youth groups. The program has reached 187 youths this past school year alone, sowing seeds of empowerment within multiple communities. Participants in the BYJP further reported significant improvements across multiple key indicators following their involvement in the program. These measurable outcomes highlight the program’s strong impact in advancing equity and inclusion for Black youth. Specifically, participants noted that BYJP:
78% increase in connections with lawyers within their community.
58% increase in improving outlook on the possibility of bringing change to the justice system.
24% increase in the likelihood that they would pursue a career in the justice sector.
These outcomes demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in empowering Black youth through education, mentorship, and community engagement, fostering both personal growth and a deeper connection to the justice system.
BYJP Field Trip, May 2025.
Level Justice is grateful to the Canadian Law Awards for including as in their Diversity Initiative of the Year category as well as for recognizing the Black Youth Justice Program’s achievements over the past few years. BYJP is currently gearing up for its 2025-2026 school year delivery. If you’re interested in being involved with the program, please contact us.