Culturally responsive mentorship

Programs
that unlock potential

Mentorship, skills development, and economic pathways for Afri‑Canadian youth and families — built for real life and diverse journeys.

Our Approach

We meet youth and young families where they are with culturally responsive mentorship, flexible delivery, and practical skill pathways. Programs are offered in person and online for accessibility across communities in Canada and Africa.

All Programs

Explore Our
Complete Program Suite

Discover all our programs designed to support Afri-Canadian youth and families.

EMERGE+ Futures Initiative

12 monthsHybrid, In-person

Equity • Mentorship • Enterprise • Resilience • Growth • Excellence

EMERGE+ Futures Initiative Empowerment • Mentorship • Education • Resilience • Growth • Employment From Aspiration to Action — Supporting Afri-Canadian Youth to Build Their Futures The EMERGE+ Futures Initiative, the flagship program of the Sankofa Afri-Canadian Mentorship+ Hub, will be launched i...

250+ youth
Hybrid, In-person
All Levels, Intermediate
Free

Program Values (EMERGE+ Futures Initiative)

EquityEnterpriseResilienceGrowthExcellenceMentorship

Who We Serve

EMERGE+ Futures Initiative serves Afri-Canadian youth and young adults (ages 15–35) seeking to strengthen their education, gain employability skills, and contribute meaningfully to society through learning, work, and entrepreneurship. Participants include: - Youth in Transition – Students navigating education and career pathways through mentorship and guidance. - Underemployed and Job Seekers – Youth overcoming barriers to quality work through skills training and coaching. - Aspiring Entrepreneurs – Young innovators developing sustainable small enterprises. - Community Collaborators – Educators, employers, and mentors advancing equitable opportunities. Together, they drive education, employability, and inclusion, empowering youth to become informed, skilled, and engaged contributors to Canada’s diverse economy.

What We Offer

Through EMERGE+, we offer structured education, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities that help Afri-Canadian youth strengthen their learning, employability, and civic participation. Each component advances education and expands access to social and economic opportunity. Our core areas include: - Career Development & Employment Readiness – Workshops, mentorship, and placements to build job and workplace skills. - Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy – Training that promotes business creation, financial responsibility, and economic stability. - Digital Skills & Innovation – Technology learning and creative labs that prepare youth for the digital economy. - Networking & Mentorship – Connections with professionals and employers who inspire growth and leadership. Together, these supports help youth turn potential into purpose and actively contribute to Canada’s future

Program Components

Education & Skills

Foundational learning, technical training, and job-aligned competencies.

Career Readiness

Employment preparation, confidence building, and networking.

Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship

Practical tools for financial independence and business growth.

Strategic Enablers

Mentorship+ Hub

A dynamic ecosystem connecting youth with mentors, leaders, and peers through personalized, intergenerational support.

Digital Platform

Interactive, hybrid learning and outreach tools that expand access, connection, and impact."

Our Approach

At EMERGE+, we combine mentorship, education, and experiential learning to help Afri-Canadian youth turn aspirations into action. Our culturally grounded, community-driven approach integrates career development, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to advance equitable opportunity and lifelong learning. We: - Mentor for Growth – Link youth with professionals and leaders for personalized guidance. - Build Practical Skills – Offer workshops and digital learning that boost employability and technical know-how. - Advance Financial Literacy – Teach financial planning and responsible entrepreneurship for lasting stability. - Collaborate for Impact – Partner with schools, employers, and community groups to open pathways to work and leadership. Through this holistic model, EMERGE+ empowers youth to learn, lead, and thrive in a more inclusive Canada.

Sankofa SmartMentor 360: From Ancestral Wisdom to Digital Intelligence

A 5-Year Transformative Journey of Mentorship Ecosystem for Learning and LeadershipHybrid

A 360-degree mentorship experience—powered by human wisdom, enhanced by AI, and driven by purpose.

Sankofa _**SmartMentor 360**_ From Ancestral Wisdom to Digital Intelligence: A 360-degree mentorship experience to be powered by human wisdom, enhanced by AI, and driven by purpose. Sankofa SmartMentor 360 is the Hub’s futuristic flagship — an AI-powered mentorship ecosystem blending human wisdom...

250+ youth
Hybrid
All Levels

Program Values (Sankofa SmartMentor 360: From Ancestral Wisdom to Digital Intelligence)

MentorshipResilienceGrowthExcellence

Who We Serve

As Sankofa’s futuristic flagship program, SmartMentor 360 is designed for youth, young adults, and young parents seeking access to mentorship, education, and opportunity—across Canada, Africa, and the global diaspora. It reaches those facing barriers to learning or career growth and connects them with mentors, digital tools, and culturally grounded support to help them thrive. From African-Canadian and newcomer families to graduate students and young leaders across African nations, participants gain personalized guidance, adaptive learning, and a global community that bridges heritage and innovation—empowering them to grow, lead, and contribute meaningfully from local communities to the world stage. _Our next-generation program, creating tomorrow’s mentors today._

What We Offer

As Sankofa’s futuristic flagship program, SmartMentor 360 offers a new way to learn, connect, and grow—blending human mentorship with artificial intelligence to create a personalized, inclusive, and measurable learning experience for youth, young adults, and young parents across Canada, Africa, and the global diaspora. Through a secure, multilingual platform, participants will access personalized mentorship, adaptive learning pathways, and real-time feedback guided by cultural values and human oversight. Each feature removes barriers, builds confidence, and strengthens educational and career outcomes while celebrating African identity and shared heritage. SmartMentor 360 provides: - Tailored mentor–mentee connections built on trust and cultural understanding. - Adaptive learning drawn from EMERGE+ and RISE+ programs. - AI-supported guidance through the Sankofa Guide Bot and data-driven feedback. _Structured, supervised, and culturally grounded learning that empowers participants to gain skills, confidence, and a true sense of community belonging. Where mentorship meets innovation—a 360° journey from aspiration to action. _

Program Components

Education & Skills

Foundational learning, technical training, and job-aligned competencies.

Career Readiness

Employment preparation, confidence building, and networking.

Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship

Practical tools for financial independence and business growth.

Strategic Enablers

Mentorship+ Hub

A dynamic ecosystem connecting youth with mentors, leaders, and peers through personalized, intergenerational support.

Digital Platform

Interactive, hybrid learning and outreach tools that expand access, connection, and impact.

Our Approach

At Sankofa SmartMentor 360, we’re shaping the future of mentorship where human wisdom meets digital intelligence. Our approach combines cultural grounding, intelligent learning, and purpose-driven impact to create a dynamic ecosystem connecting youth, young adults, and young parents across Canada, Africa, and the global diaspora. Rooted in the Sankofa philosophy of learning from the past to build the future, SmartMentor 360 blends human connection with AI-powered tools to make learning personalized, inclusive, and measurable. Every interaction is guided by culture, ethics, and transparency, ensuring that technology enhances, never replaces the power of community. _A fusion of wisdom and technology—bridging heritage and innovation, people and opportunity_.

RISE+ Youth and Family Leadership Initiative

Leadership & Long‑term Success TrackHybrid

A follow‑up track centered on excellence, leadership, and long‑term success for EMERGE+ graduates or highly motivated youth.

**RISE+ Youth and Family Leadership Initiative ** [RISE = Resilience • Identity • Solidarity • Empowerment] The RISE+ Initiative is a flagship educational and community-development program of the Sankofa Afri-Canadian Mentorship+ Hub, designed to support Afri-Canadian youth, young adults, and young...

250+
Hybrid
Intermediate

Program Values (RISE+ Youth and Family Leadership Initiative)

EquityMentorshipResilienceEnterpriseExcellenceGrowth

Who We Serve

RISE+ supports Afri-Canadian youth, young adults, and young parents seeking to strengthen their knowledge, leadership, and civic participation within their families and communities. Our focus includes: - Youth & Young Adults (15–35) – Gaining mentorship, leadership, and cultural learning to navigate education, work, and community life. - Young Parents & Families – Engaging in workshops and peer networks that build parenting skills and family well-being. - Community Partners & Mentors – Collaborating to deliver culturally grounded education and inclusive programs. Through these efforts, RISE+ advances learning, family capacity, and civic participation—helping build strong, connected, and resilient communities across Canada.

What We Offer

Through RISE+, we offer integrated education, mentorship, and family-support programs that strengthen the capacity of Afri-Canadian youth, young adults, and young parents to participate confidently in community life. Our core areas include: - Cultural & Civic Engagement – Exploring African and Afro-Canadian heritage while fostering cultural literacy and active citizenship. - Collaborative Partnerships – Connecting with schools, organizations, and community leaders to promote shared leadership and impact. - Family Learning & Support – Providing mentorship and peer programs that build parenting skills and enhance family well-being. - Youth Leadership & Policy Education – Equipping youth with knowledge and advocacy skills to engage in community and policy dialogue. Together, these programs advance learning, family stability, and civic participation, building resilient and inclusive communities across Canada.

Program Components

Education & Skills

Foundational learning, technical training, and job-aligned competencies.

Career Readiness

Employment preparation, confidence building, and networking.

Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship

Practical tools for financial independence and business growth.

Strategic Enablers

Mentorship+ Hub

A dynamic ecosystem connecting youth with mentors, leaders, and peers through personalized, intergenerational support.

Digital Platform

Interactive, hybrid learning and outreach tools that expand access, connection, and impact.

Our Approach

At RISE+, we believe meaningful community development begins with connection—to culture, family, and one another. Our integrated approach combines mentorship, education, and family learning to strengthen cultural understanding, leadership, and civic participation. We: - Bridge Heritage and Opportunity – Ground learning in African and Afro-Canadian values of community and resilience. - Strengthen Families – Support parenting and family well-being through education and peer learning. - Mentor for Leadership – Build confidence, civic engagement, and service-oriented leadership. - Collaborate for Impact – Partner with schools and organizations to expand access to education and community opportunities. Through this holistic, culturally grounded model, RISE+ advances education, family capacity, and community leadership—helping build resilient and inclusive communities across Canada.

Specialized Support

Mentorship
Tracks

Specialized tracks delivering targeted support for personal and professional growth.

Career Development

Comprehensive career guidance including resume building, interview preparation, and career path exploration.

Entrepreneurship

Business plan development, startup labs & incubation, and microgrant access for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Financial Literacy

Budgeting & money management, credit building strategies, and investment planning for financial success.

Ready to make a difference?

Join our programs or share your expertise as a mentor. There's a place for you in this community.