Roots of a Black Girl

Research Report

Listening to Black Girls

Every Black girl deserves an education that recognizes her potential, respects her identity, and supports her ambitions. But what happens when the spaces meant to help girls succeed leave them feeling unheard, misunderstood, or excluded?

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Their experience are the starting point

The project engaged 245 Black girls and femmes aged 12–17 through research and pilot programming. It included 239 survey participants across seven Ontario regions, sharing circles with 14 survey participants, and a six-participant program pilot informed by the findings.

Power to Girls Foundation’s Roots of a Black Girl: Preserving the Educational Futures of Black Girls and Femmes in Ontario explores this question through the experiences of Black girls and femmes themselves. Conducted between 2022 and 2024, the research examines how race, gender, representation, and access to support shape their lives at school and identifies opportunities for change.

Their voices reveal a clear message: girls value their education, but schools need to do more to support their wellbeing, reflect their identities, and involve them in decisions.

What we heard
from the girls

Behind these findings are experiences of racial and gender stereotyping, gaps in representation, and a desire for trusted support. Participants also described pride in their identities, strong educational ambitions, and the value of relationships with educators who encourage them.

said their race had affected their educational experience.
0 %
reported feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork.
0 %
wanted to learn more about Black cultures at school.
0 %
reported using the support resources available at school.
Only 0 %
reported feeling safe and comfortable at school.
Only 0 %
said their school curriculum reflected their culture.
Only 0 %

What needs to
change

Create Spaces for girls to feel like they belong

Provide culturally affirming spaces where Black girls and femmes can build relationships, explore their identities, discuss discrimination, and access support without judgment.

Make support meaningful and accessible.

Ask girls what they need. Use their feedback to shape mental health resources, academic support, and guidance they feel comfortable accessing.

Strengthen representation and accountability

Expand Black history and cultural learning, increase representation among educators, and address the racial and gender biases that influence everyday school experiences.

Recognize different experiences within the Black community.

Ensure that Black youth and biracial and mixed-race girls are included in programming, resources, and conversations about belonging.

From Research to Action

At Power to Girls, girls’ experiences guide our work. These findings reinforce our commitment to safe spaces, mentorship, mental wellness, identity, and leadership and to working with schools and community partners to address the barriers girls identify. Listening is the beginning. Meaningful change requires acting on what girls share and giving them a voice in what happens next. Explore the research. Start a conversation. Help shape a more inclusive educational future.

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Roots of a Black Girl was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada. Findings reflect the study participants’ experiences; percentages above are regional averages presented in the report.