A 5-day interactive leadership forum for 10 Black and Indigenous youth leaders from across Canada.

Bled Forum Participants
The Bled Future Achievers Leadership Forum (BFALF) is held from August 11 to 17, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario. The forum features interactive programming that promotes leadership, confidence, self-exploration, cross-community collaboration, and financial literacy as tools for creating positive change in their communities.

Our mission at the BFALF is to connect and empower Black and Indigenous youth from across the country interested in social justice. Participants will build meaningful connections with peers while developing new skills and knowledge to help them be better changemakers.

The Forum is all expenses paid, which include:

• Transportation to and from Ottawa;
• Transportation during the forum;
• Accommodations and meals;
• Relevant activities and programming; and,
• A safe and inclusive environment where all will be welcomed.

Eligibility

The Forum is designed for Black and Indigenous youth (14 to 18 years old) who would like to explore the benefits of cross-community collaboration in building a kinder and safer world for all; are interested in social justice and creating positive change; have demonstrated the capacity and potential to develop as agents of change; and would like to connect with other youth leaders from across Canada.

Supervision

The supervision team will be on-site throughout the forum week to welcome you, accompany you, and ensure your well-being and safety.

The supervision team includes the project management team, which coordinates the overall forum and facilitates the forum’s sessions, and the team leaders. Team leaders are Black and Indigenous students from the University of Ottawa, who are passionate about the forum’s mission. They will be present for the various enrichment and social activities, provide supervision in residence, and ensure the smooth running of the forum. They can also answer your questions about university life!

What to expect

The Forum will be a space where leaders will develop their capacity for:

Leadership: Participants will engage with Black and Indigenous professionals and mentors through roundtables and 1-on-1 discussions to explore educational, vocational, and leadership opportunities during and after high school.

Confidence: Participants will challenge themselves in workshops that build self-worth and self-love through relationship-building, communication, self-advocacy, life and career exploration, and leadership development.

Self-Exploration: Participants will participate in various wellness-based and outdoor activities to encourage mind-body connection to immerse themselves in nature and journey through self-exploration and personal discovery.

Cross-Community Collaboration: Participants will be able to connect with other Black and Indigenous youth from around the country, build meaningful relationships, and explore the benefits of cross-community collaboration in building a kinder and safer world for all.

Financial literacy: Participants will gain crucial budgeting, saving, and investing skills, laying a strong foundation for their financial future. We will help eligible participants and their families apply for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), a $500-$2,000 government grant to help save for future school.

Participant with a goat
Bled Forum Participants

“I expected the workshops to be fully academic but they weren't. They allowed for the expression of creativity and personal meaning and I appreciated that.”

2023 Participant

Campus residence

Housing

During your stay at the University of Ottawa, you will stay in a residence building on campus. More information to come.

Dining room on campus

Meals

The majority of your meals will be in the dining room, which is located in the adjacent building. The dining room offers a varied menu with vegetarian, vegan, and halal options. Cultural dishes will also be served throughout the week.

FSS Building and Rideau Canal

Our campus

If you would like to familiarize yourself with your surroundings before setting foot on campus, consult our virtual maps!