Pathways to Social Change: Mentoring to Foster BIPOC Young Adults’ Social Capital and Sociopolitical Development

This mixed-methods study explores how natural and formal mentors contribute to racialized (Black, Indigenous and people of colour or BIPOC) young adults’ sociopolitical development. The study was conducted in Canada and included a nationally representative survey of 3110 young adults aged 18 to 30, and semi-structured interviews with 23 racialized young adults and 13 individuals with experience providing mentoring to racialized youth and young adults. Findings highlight how natural and formal mentors support young adults’ sociopolitical development through five key pathways: (1) emotional support and support for coping, (2) identity development, (3) support for autonomy and agency, (4) informational support and social capital, and (5) and opportunities for critical reflection and action. Statistical analyses show that exposure to different mentor types can have an effect on outcomes. Compared to survey respondents with no mentoring experience, young adults with exclusively natural mentors had more positive ratings of mental health, wellbeing, community belonging, flourishing, resistance capital, and social capital. Young adults who had a formal mentor exclusively had increased rates of wellbeing, community belonging, and social capital, compared to respondents with no mentors. The study demonstrates how both natural and formal mentors can enhance young adults’ ability to work for social change.