Brother Who Care hosts Care Leadership Development Alliance Youth Retreat

BY PAUL JUNOR

Brother Who Care (BwC) has been making a difference in the lives of young Black men since it was launched in 2019 by David Griffiths, who currently serves as its President.  Brothers Who Care is a passion project to bring like-minded individuals together from across the GTA and Ontario to collectively give back with big impact and minimal effort.

One of their goals is to create and develop a fellowship and bond between brothers who want to help and support each other regardless of: race, religion, or culture. Since it was launched, BwC has hosted: workshops, training sessions, and initiatives to empower Black men. On October 4^th and October 5^th, they will be offering exciting opportunities for young Black men in grades 10 – 12 to develop their leadership skills. This Care Leadership Development Alliance Youth Retreat will be held in Windsor, Ontario.

The mission of BwC is to leverage the power of collective fundraising through a: transparent, community organized, trusted, decision-making process and directs funds to impact key issues affecting the Black community. The overall vision of BWC is all-encompassing. It is to equip and inspire leaders to be all that they can be by drawing on the power of the collective. Their focus is on creating a Center of Influence (COI) that will mobilize social, political and economic growth and outcomes.

David Griffiths (Founder and CEO of BwC) and Tychon Carter-Newman (Motivational speaker and Youth Advisor/Ambassador) are the visionaries behind the CLDAY Retreat. Research that Warren Clarke of the University of Manitoba conducted as described in the article, “Young Black men in Canada face racism, ageism and classism when looking for work” indicates that there was a problem. They conceptualized the CLDAY Retreat as a solution.

In November 2023 BwC hosted a Black Men Leadership Retreat geared to Black males between 25 and 55 years old. It was described as a culturally responsive and uplifting experience that was intended to: bring our community together, foster cultural learning, and encourage collective action toward positive change. It was a call to action for Black men to “bond, learn and grow,” cultivate a sense of unity and solidarity, and remember that we are stronger together. The future is bright, and through our collective efforts, we can achieve greatness.

This CLDAY Retreat is intended to empower young Black men to become active contributors to their communities and agents of positive change. As the school year has started already, this retreat is geared to bring together at least 50 young Black men from all over Ontario to expose to uniquely suited and culturally appropriate sessions to meet their needs and to build their leadership capacity. This will be possible through the creation of a safe and inclusive space where every young man feels welcome, valued, and comfortable expressing himself. “We want our participants to be their authentic selves, while building the confidence to lead,” shares Griffiths.

There is no cost to attend the retreat, and it is free to the participants. These selected individuals will embark on a journey of growth, self-discovery and leadership development. The transformative two-day experience will cover topics such as:

• Leadership
• Self-awareness
• Personal growth
• Community building

The CLDAY Retreat is designed to tackle the specific challenges young Black men face. They will engage in:

• Leadership Workshops: Learn from seasoned professionals about leadership styles, decision-making and personal responsibility
• Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness: Interactive discussions to help young men develop emotional resilience and self-confidence
• Team Building & Networking: Group activities designed to build trust, comradery and lifelong connections with peers and mentors
• Mentorship Opportunities: Connect with community leaders who will provide guidance and support beyond the retreat

Some of the benefits for the participants include:

• Developing essential life skills
• Building meaningful connections
• Renewing a sense of purpose and direction

Other additional benefits include:

• Identifying and achieving goals
• Cultivating leadership skills
• Building a support system

The CLDAY Retreat is possible due to the support of the Black Business Initiative (BBI) and the following partners: TAIBU Community Health Centre, EQ Bank, University of Windsor and Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (Y.A.A.A.C.E).

Interested Grade 10 -12 students can register at: https://forms.gle/4crsX25ETtbGspiJ8