Waterloo, ON (January 24, 2026) — CanAfro Research Institute hosted Black in AI in Canada, a mentorship and workshop event introducing Black youth and families to AI and technology careers beyond survival-focused work. Held at Adventure for Change in Waterloo, with virtual participants, the event featured speakers from academia, industry, and community research, The program emphasized mentorship, representation, and interactive dialogue, highlighting the need for equitable, research-informed pathways into tech. CanAfro plans to expand the initiative in 2026 with workshops, structured mentorship, and career readiness programs.
The event was made possible by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.’s sponsorship and we would also like to thank era.ca for the donations, Adventure for Change for generously providing the space, and to Tim Hortons (94 Bridgeport Rd East, Waterloo, ON) for contributing a bag of gifts for participants.