Seeking youth voices, and guidance
for you, by you
Ifarada is deeply committed to centering youth voice, leadership, and wellbeing through meaningful employment, mentorship, and culturally grounded programming. By offering paid placements, therapeutic training, and hands-on leadership opportunities, Ifarada supports Black youth in developing professional skills, confidence, and resilience.
Guided by an Africentric approach, programs affirm cultural identity, provide representation and mentorship, and integrate wellness with workforce development. Youth gain experience in program design, collaboration, and community engagement while feeling seen, valued, and supported. Through sustained investment in youth employment, advisory leadership, and holistic care, Ifarada actively addresses systemic inequities and creates pathways for long-term success, belonging, and community wellbeing.
Tallawah Conference Summary
Before the development of the Tallawah Conference, Ifarada hosted a focus group with the Youth Advisory Council Members, in hopes to understand their needs and direction for the 2026 Conference.
This report presents insights and recommendations gathered from the youth focus group session held to inform planning for the 2026 Tallawah Youth Conference. The discussion centered on improving engagement, ensuring diversity and inclusivity, and creating a memorable, action-oriented experience for attendees.
Key priorities identified include fostering long-term application of learned skills, enhancing community togetherness, expanding workshop diversity, and addressing social issues relevant to youth such as feminism, marginalized communities, and empowerment. Participants also emphasized the importance of interactive learning formats, inclusive vendor representation, and culturally diverse food options.
Methodology
A focus group discussion was conducted with youth aged 13–29. Participants were encouraged to reflect on past conference experiences and share recommendations for future improvements. The session was recorded and summarized to capture recurring themes and actionable insights.
Participant Profile
- Age Range: 13–29 years.
- Demographic Representation: Diverse youth from local schools and community organizations.
Previous Attendance: Mix of returning and first-time attendees
Objectives
- To identify youth priorities and interests for the 2026 conference.
- To gather feedback on previous conference experiences.
- To develop actionable strategies for engagement, inclusivity, and interactivity.
Feedback Results
Youth expressed their goals based on the following key areas of vision, awareness, learning and theme development
Conference Vision and Goals:
- Empower youth to apply skills and knowledge in real life.
- Strengthen community connection and inclusivity.
- Provide safe spaces for open discussions about social issues.
- Deliver cohesive programming in a centralized venue for better accessibility.
Inclusivity and social Awareness
- Strong interest in themes related to feminism, marginalized communities, and global social issues (e.g., Gaza, Black Lives Matter).
- Participants valued open dialogue and representation of diverse voices across workshops and panels.
Workshops & Interactive Learning
Suggested workshop topics:
- Finance & Budgeting: money management, taxes, saving.
- Mindfulness & Mental Health: stress relief, meditation, Jeopardy-style games.
- Creative Activities: bead making, self-expression through art.
- Recommendation to include a participant interest form to tailor sessions.
Theme Development
- “Guiding Youth on Their Path” – focused on empowerment and direction.
- “Voices of Change” – highlighting activism, social justice, and community involvement.
- A lighter, trend-inspired theme such as “Barbie Swag” was also mentioned for creativity and relatability.
“Let’s talk about what’s happening in the world and how youth can be part of change.”
–Youth Member
Key Recommendations
- Adopt an interactive learning model with real-world skill application.
- Prioritize inclusivity and diversity in both content and vendor representation.
- Enhance networking opportunities between attendees, vendors, and facilitators.
- Refine food service to balance nutrition, convenience, and cultural variety.
- Center the 2026 theme on empowerment, community engagement, and youth leadership.
The 2nd Annual Tallawah Youth Conference is well underway, and scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026 at the beautiful Ajax Audley Community Centre. Register today to join us
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