The Black Youth Literacy Project is an initiative of the Toronto ALFA Centre, a community-based program that has been delivering literacy services to adults in the northwest corner of the City of Toronto since 1985. The aim of this project is to improve the educational engagement and self-concept of Black youth who have been turned off or let down by the regular education system and have left school; experience reading and writing difficulties; are either unemployed or underemployed; and are at risk of falling short of realizing their full potential.

The primary goal of this guide is to provide organizations, agencies and individual teachers with a framework and building blocks for creating programs that will: inspire a love of learning; and equip Black youth with the awareness, access and ability to further their education in whatever way they choose.