Youth for equity: empowering students through storytelling, creativity, and social justice
Category: Blog, SLG Scotland
by Anaïs Cayzac, SLG Scotland committee member and school librarian at St Mungo’s Academy and Smithycroft.
This year, four Glasgow secondary school libraries, Drumchapel High School, Hillhead High School, Rosshall Academy, and St Mungo’s Academy are proud to take part in Youth for Equity, an inspiring new initiative supported by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).
The Youth for Equity project brings together S1–S2 students from each participating school for a series of interactive workshops focusing on pressing social issues identified in Glasgow, including LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness, and racism; challenges that continue to affect the lives, identities, and futures of young people across the city. With the guidance of three incredible organisations: TIE (Time for Inclusive Education), Simon Community Scotland, and The Black Curriculum students are exploring these topics through discussion, storytelling, and creative expression.
Session One: launching at Drumchapel High school library
The project officially launched on March 12th at Drumchapel High School Library with an impactful session led by TIE and guest artist Sanjay Lago a South Asian actor, playwright, comedian, and poet. Sanjay’s visit combined powerful spoken word poetry with personal stories of identity and belonging. He encouraged students to explore their own voices through poetry writing, sparking conversations about inclusivity, empathy, and resilience.
Through hands-on creative exercises, students were empowered to share their stories learning that their lived experiences matter, and that storytelling is a vital tool for fostering understanding and equity.
Session two: focusing on homelessness and racism
On March 26th, Hillhead High School Library hosted the second Youth for Equity session, which tackled homelessness and racism, two issues deeply relevant to our local and national communities.
The day began with a presentation from Simon Community Scotland, where students heard first-hand about the causes and consequences of homelessness in Glasgow. The speaker’s honest and passionate account prompted thoughtful questions from students, who were keen to learn how they could support people in crisis and advocate for safer, more compassionate communities.
In the afternoon, students welcomed Etienne Kubwabo, a Glasgow-based filmmaker and comic book creator. Etienne is the author of Beats of War, a groundbreaking comic featuring Scotland’s first Black superhero. He spoke about his journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Glasgow, the racism he encountered, and how it inspired him to create empowering stories through comics.
Etienne’s session challenged students to reflect on identity, representation, and their own creative potential. Each student had the opportunity to design a superhero character based on their values and lived experiences. Etienne will be selecting three standout designs—and one lucky student’s creation will appear in a future edition of Beats of War!
Looking ahead: the Black Curriculum joins in May
In May, our third and final session will bring in The Black Curriculum, an organisation dedicated to teaching Black British history in a way that is engaging, relevant, and inclusive. Their workshop will help students explore histories often left out of the classroom, fostering both knowledge and social cohesion.
Why this matters?
School libraries are more than just spaces for reading. They are safe, inclusive hubs where students can learn, grow, and challenge the world around them. Youth for Equity is a shining example of what happens when libraries become catalysts for change providing young people with the tools to shape a fairer, more empathetic society.