“Step Up! and Step Out!” Youth Educational Retreat

JrBAA is excited to host its three-day Youth Weekend Retreat, designed to empower youth as they prepare for their post-secondary journeys.

This dynamic retreat will feature interactive workshops focused on:

Resume writing
Interview skills (from both interviewer and interviewee perspectives)
Leadership development for board and committee roles
Organizational skills
Time management
Goal setting

Youth will also collaborate to plan this year’s fundraising initiatives in support of the Youth-Led Community “Picnic in the Park”, strengthening teamwork and project-planning skills.

We are pleased to welcome back Christianne Para, Executive Director of the Restorative Justice Association of BC (RJABC), who will facilitate “H.A.R.M.O.N.Y.” Healing, Accountability, and Respect to Mediate, Nurture, and Yield Peace in our Community, through our Restorative Justice Circle.

Participants will also enjoy self-care, relaxation sessions, and time in nature.

We are accepting Expressions of Interest from Achievers (Grades 11–12) and Youth Council members. Youth must submit expressions of interest along with signed parental consent forms to info@jrbaa.org. Click here for the consent form.

Location: Sante Mountain Retreat, Chilliwack, BC

Date: TBD

JrBAA will cover food and accommodations, with transportation provided from a central Surrey location.

This weekend is generously sponsored by BCGEU, CUPE BC, and LuMi Foundation, in partnership with the Restorative Justice Association of BC (RJABC).

Making It Happen 2026

Ready to level up? The Jr. Black Achievement Awards Society is back, and we’re here to help you master your finances and sharpen your storytelling.

This isn’t just another seminar—it’s a high-impact afternoon designed to help you take control of your destiny. Whether you’re dreaming of building generational wealth or winning your next writing competition, we’ve got the step-by-step roadmap to get you there.

The Details

📅 Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM (Doors open for lunch & community building!)
📍 Location: Coquitlam Public Library (City Centre Branch) - Room 136/137
🎤 Moderated by: Youth Council President, Jeremiah Brooks

Session Lineup

🔥 Finance Unleashed: Learn from Jennifer, a Top 10% Global Financial Planner. She’ll be dropping gems on practical success tips and how to navigate the "Trauma of Money" to break intergenerational cycles.
📖 Short Stories 101: Master the art of storytelling with our Youth Council VP, Pearl. This is perfect for anyone eyeing the upcoming Fiction and Non-Fiction competitions!
📝 The Easiest Essay Exemplar: Iva is sharing a foolproof framework to make your next essay top-tier and competition-ready.

Why Attend?

This is our LAST education session for the 2025-2026 scholarship year. These sessions are specifically designed to give our youth the confidence to compete in the Essay Writing and Fiction/Non-Fiction Storywriting competitions.

Come for the knowledge, stay for lunch, and leave ready to make it happen.

🔗 Register Here to Secure Your Spot!

Our Annual Community "Picnic in the Park" is Back!

Get ready! Our favorite summer tradition is returning to the beautiful greenery of Glen Park (1149 Westwood Street, Coquitlam, BC). Following the incredible success of last year’s youth-led celebration, the Junior Black Achievement Awards (JrBAA) Society invites you back for an unforgettable afternoon of food, music, and community connection. This isn't just a picnic—it’s a vibrant showcase of leadership, creativity, and the spirit of Coquitlam.

Mark your calendars—it's going to be a fantastic day out for the whole family!

The Highlights

📅 Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Glen Park (1149 Westwood Street, Coquitlam, BC)
🍴 Food: Authentic Caribbean flavors provided by A Taste of Jamaica

What’s Happening

The afternoon kicks off at 2:00 PM with park and stage setup. Our formal program begins at 3:00 PM, featuring:

Community Honours: Territorial and African Ancestral Acknowledgements.
Special Greetings: Inspiring words from our city representatives and generous sponsors.
The Main Stage: A packed lineup of live performances managed by our Stage Manager to keep the vibes going until sunset!

🎤 Calling All Creators & Performers

We are officially looking for vendors and entertainers to grace our stage and park grounds! We are seeking a diverse range of talent to keep the energy high. We want to hear from:

Musical Artists: Hip Hop, R&B, Vocalists, and Instrumentalists.
The Arts: Poets and Dancers.
Interactive Activities: Do you have an engaging activity for group participation?
Local Partners: Community Organizations, Local Businesses, and Vendor Tents.

Interested in participating? > If you want to showcase your talent or business at this year’s picnic, please email info@jrbaa.org for full application details.

Stay Connected

Don't miss a beat! Follow us on our social media channels for more updates, performer announcements, and behind-the-scenes teasers as we get closer to July.