Selflove Youth Wellness & Empowerment

A month ago, we were invited into the heart of @nike Canada as one of the organizations selected for the Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF). 🎥✨ To be recognized on this level means more than words can capture—it means SelfLove Youth Wellness & Empowerment can continue doing the work that matters most. This fall, Nike will be supporting our Overcoming Obstacles program—fueling safe spaces where movement becomes more than exercise. It becomes healing. Growth. Hope. We lead with movement, yes—but at our core, we lead with mental health. Because our youth don’t just need a workout—they need to be seen, heard, and supported. As our city mourns the heartbreaking loss of an 8-year-old taken by a stray bullet while sleeping… we’re reminded exactly why this work matters. We’re not just building stronger bodies. We’re building stronger communities. 💛 Thank you, @nike , for standing beside us. #SelfLoveYouth #OvercomingObstacles #NikeCommunityImpactFund #NCIF #EmpowerThroughMovement #MentalHealthMatters #TorontoYouth #YouthDeserveMore #BehindTheScenes #WeDoThisForThem

We Did it Again 🎉 This past week was the 2nd Annual Make Ur Mark Student Success Conference and the magic that transpired is indescribable. In partnership with George Brown College we hosted over 200 high school students from across the city that would be labelled “At Risk” and in the words of students “the experience was Refreshing.” Our 2023 theme: Discover, Activate Courage and this message we echoed in every element of the day. Panel discussions were hosted by student hosts and the president of George Brown College Dr. Gervan Fearon delivered a keynote that captured the attention of all in attendance. Gems were dropped, Love was shared and most importantly these young people left knowing they matter!! Thank you to @gbcollege for partnering with us. Thank you to all of our mentors that so selflessly shared themselves @henrylstephanie @tabiacharles @ayanna_sealey @thehealthinstitute @davontai.moore Thank you to our generous sponsors @footlockercanada @iwantmoorefreedom 2024 here we come 🎉 📸 @itsjacquev

Everyone can help someone! Thank you @nyhfb for welcoming our students to participate and learn the deeper needs of food insecurity that many have in our city. From food sorting to learning how to make healthy meals on an extremely tight budget ($6.67) per day- students were engaged and some blow away by the reality that some of their peers may face and be silent about. This experience was enriching and our students left feeling conscious and inspired. #northyorkharvestfoodbank #youth #community #eachonehelpone

One of the biggest things I’ve noticed through this work is that what looks like disengagement is often something deeper. Behind the silence, low motivation, or resistance, I’ve seen self-doubt, fear, anxiety, lack of confidence, and young people carrying more than they know how to express. But I’ve also seen what happens when the environment feels safe enough. They open up. They reflect. They tell the truth. And that’s where the real work begins @makeurmark.ca

Last Thursday felt like a collective exhale. This year, instead of our usual large conference, we intentionally piloted a smaller summit. A more intimate space. Fewer voices in the room, but more depth in the conversation. The theme of the day was MOVE: Change Your State. Not movement for the sake of doing more, but the idea that when you feel stuck, unheard, or overwhelmed, even a small internal shift can change how you show up in the world. What none of us fully expected was how the room would shift. The day moved from adults speaking… to young people finding the courage to use their voices. Questions turned into stories. Stories turned into honesty. And once one person spoke, others followed. There was a sense of release, like the room finally had permission to breathe. I want to acknowledge @dr.j_base whose openness and vulnerability set the tone. He didn’t show up with a speech. He showed up with truth. That gave students the safety to meet him there. Thank you to @gbcollege for holding space for this kind of work, and to the educators who were in the room, who didn’t just oversee the day but truly saw their students in a new way. What was meant to be a structured day became something much deeper. A collective pause. A shared understanding. That shift reminded us what’s possible when we slow down and truly listen. 🤍 📸 @itsjacquev

🌟 One Week Later: Inspiring Futures at the Make Ur Mark Success Conference 🌟 One week ago, we came together at George Brown College for a day dedicated to empowerment, exploration, and inspiration for the next generation of leaders and changemakers. The theme “Cultivate and Innovate” challenged students to think big, dream bold, and see the endless possibilities for their futures. Here’s what made it unforgettable: ✨ A powerful keynote from Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown College, who shared his journey as a Black leader and reminded us of the importance of paving the way for others. ✨ An inspiring session from @he_whoknocks and @mamaafrica_jess who shared their story of overcoming fear and loss, encouraging students to embrace courage and resilience. ✨ Interactive, hands-on workshops that opened students’ eyes to new career paths in business, hospitality, gaming, and media. ✨ Mentorship moments and connections that planted seeds for confidence, growth, and success. We believe student voices matter, and this year’s student co-host brought unmatched energy, making the day even more impactful. A huge thank you to: 💜 George Brown College for hosting and making this conference possible. 💜 @itsjacquev , our production manager, for capturing the magic through his lens. 💜 @iwantmoorefreedom and @platinumproficientsolutions for their generous giveaways that made the day even brighter. The Make Ur Mark Conference is more than an event—it’s a movement to show youth their potential is limitless. Together, we’re inspiring them to dream bigger, work harder, and create futures they’re proud of. 💪🏾✨ 📸 @itsjacquev #MakeUrMark #InspiringFutures #CultivateAndInnovate #SelfLoveYouth #GeorgeBrownCollege

💜 Empowering Youth, Creating Change 💜 It’s been a while, but we’re back with exciting updates! If you’re new here, here’s what SelfLove Youth Wellness & Empowerment is all about: ✨ Our Mission: We are committed to equipping underserved youth with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to overcome challenges, support their mental well-being, and unlock their full potential. ✨ What We Offer: • School Assemblies & Workshops: From large school assemblies to intimate classroom workshops, we deliver programs designed to inspire, empower, and impact all students. • Scholarships & Post-Secondary Exposure: We offer scholarships and host conferences to expose youth to post-secondary experiences, helping them envision and plan for their future. • Make Ur Mark Program: A mentorship initiative featuring inspiring Black professionals who help students build resilience, allyship, and a vision for their future. • Representation in Education: We bridge the gap in representation, connecting students with relatable role models and fostering meaningful conversations. • Make Ur Mark Podcast: Tune into our podcast, available on all major platforms, for inspiring stories, practical advice, and discussions on breaking barriers and building resilience. • Student Impact: Our programs equip students with confidence, life skills, and practical tools to navigate life’s challenges and succeed. ✨ Why We Do It: We believe every young person deserves equitable opportunities and the chance to thrive, no matter the barriers they face. We’re so excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to share more updates, events, and opportunities to get involved. 💜 Learn more at SelfloveYouth.com and MakeUrMark.ca. 📸 @itsjacquev #SelfLoveYouth #EmpowerYouth #Scholarships #YouthConferences #SchoolWorkshops #MakeUrMarkPodcast #RepresentationMatters

It takes a community to raise a child Thank you @iwantmoorefreedom for being committed to being apart of the necessary change 🙏🏿

Rest In Power Mr.Louis March 🕊️🤍 You made your MARK on our Community and your legacy will live on @zerogunviolence.movement ✊🏾 Podcast coming soon on all platforms. 🎥 @itsjacquev

Last year we started our official scholarship program awarding $5000 and now in 2024 we will be awarding $34,000 in scholarships🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank you @iwantmoorefreedom for your ongoing support and donating $10k this year to help Black students access post secondary education across the GTA. If you know of students that are on need of financial support accessing post secondary pls share this post. Link to apply is in our bio. #makeurmarkscholarships #makeurmark #moorefreedom #blackstudentsmatter

Happy International Women’s Day 💐

Scholarship Announcement 🎙️ Do you know a Black high school student that needs financial help accessing post secondary education??? We are humbled and excites to announce our partnership with @senecapoly to remove the barrier of tuition fees for one academic program for one Black student🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Please share this post, tell a friend and tell that friend to tell a friend - this is how we build community!!! To apply link is in our bio and Makeurmark.ca “Education is the most powerful tool we can use to change the world”~ Nelson Mandela