Our Approach

The CEE Centre For Young Black Professionals is a Toronto based charity that is dedicated to addressing the economic and social barriers that affect Black youth ages 14 and over who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Our programs are aimed at improving careers, education, and empowerment (CEE) rooted in approaches that are holistic, person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant. To action this, we collaborate with Black youth, their families, employers, and the broader community. 

Our Mission

Our mission is to create a society and economy in which Black youth achieve financial prosperity and high quality of life for themselves and their families to contribute to the advancement of Canada.

Our Vision

An equitable society and economy in which Black youth equipped to achieve and sustain a high quality of life and contribute to the advancement of Canada.  

How CEE is Contributing To The Development Of Canada?

CEE focuses its efforts in 4 areas:

Career Training In Canadian Labour Gaps: To support youth workforce development in Canada, CEE offers career training in 5 labour market gaps: Tech, Trades, Film, Social Services, and Hospitality. Our programs are aimed at black youth ages 14 and over who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET).

Sector Growth: We work to strengthen the social service sector in Toronto in three ways. First, we provide training to organizations and corporations through CEE Essentials, a suite of professionals development workshops that is focused on homing responsive versus restrictive programming for racialized youth. Second, CEE is the project lead for the Black To The Future Community of Practice which aims to strengthen leadership and scale of grassroots organizations that are Black-focused, Black-lead and Black-serving (B3). It is delivered in partnership with the City of Toronto Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unity. Third, CEE staff actively participates in civic engagement initiatives such as round tables, councils, and community initiatives.

Advocacy:

The three advocacy priorities for CEE are (1) Anti-racism and anti-black racism; (2) responsive versus restrictive programming and (3) diversity in leadership, praxis, and organizational representation in the social service sector. 

Social Enterprise: We are launching two initiatives by 2021: CEE Talent will allow you to hire a CEE alumnus for projects. Second, we are expanding the CEE Essentials (both the career training and sector professional development suites) for licensing.  

CEE Strategic Plan (Click Here to View)