U of T Scarborough hosts the 100 Strong Academy, a summer mentorship program for Black boys

100 strong participants lined up playing steel drums

This summer the University of Toronto hosted over 60 participants in the 100 Strong Academy, a month-long summer program for Black boys between 11 to 14 years old.

“My mom told me about this and said it was for Black boys, so I chose 100 Strong,” says 12-year-old Jeremiah Paradys-Taylor, who was excited to choose the Academy for summer camp. “I felt like I would be more comfortable.”

The 100 Strong Academy summer program is an initiative of the 100 Strong Foundation, a group created by a collective of Black professional men 'with the ultimate aim of uniting young boys with supportive mentors,’ according to the foundation’s website.