Creating What I Needed to See
Growing up, I often found myself searching for someone who sounded like me. Someone who looked like me. Someone who could understand what it meant to be a Black teenager growing up in a predominantly white community in Canada. When I did not find that representation in my teachers, leaders, or even on social media, I realized I could be the one to create it.
What started as a personal need for connection has turned into something much bigger. A podcast that not only gives others a voice but also helps me discover mine. Stories in Black and White became my way of stepping into leadership, advocacy, and community building. It is more than a passion project. It has helped me develop real-world skills I will carry into my future career in healthcare and advocacy: public speaking, research, planning, networking, and storytelling.
As such, what began as a passion project has now evolved into a career aspiration, which is to see more Black representation in healthcare. But while I work my way toward this, I am still striving hard to share Stories in Black and White with more youth. I know it can help others find confidence, their own voice, and ultimately help them dream bigger about what is possible in this world.
This is my story.
Tackling a Real World Challenge
There are so many conversations people are scared to have about racism, identity, representation, and the subtle and not-so-subtle ways discrimination shows up in our lives. My podcast was created to break the silence. Each episode dives into real stories from students, youth, and community members who are navigating complex spaces while carrying the weight of their race, gender, or background.
Episodes like “I Got Blamed Again” explore the way Black, Brown, and Indigenous youth are unfairly targeted in school. Others, like “Where Are the Teachers Like Me?” spotlight the lack of representation in leadership and education. This podcast is about giving a voice to people who are rarely handed the mic.
What Makes It Unique?
Unlike many other youth podcasts, Stories in Black and White is intentionally faceless, meaning the focus is on the voices, not visuals. That choice is purposeful. It centres on the stories themselves rather than how someone looks or dresses. It also allows people to participate more freely without worrying about judgment or performance.
The podcast blends storytelling, interviews, and statistics with moments of unscripted conversation. It is raw but thoughtful. Organized but always honest. That balance has made it a space where youth from all walks of life feel safe enough to share their truth.
The Impact So Far
Since launching, I have published six episodes and partnered with youth organizations like the Prince George Public Library and the Afro Caribbean Society of Northern BC. One of my most listened to episodes was based on a true story shared by a classmate who was unfairly blamed for a school fight simply because he “looked like he knew something.” These kinds of stories resonate because they are real and because so many young people have lived something similar.
Listeners have told me they feel seen for the first time. One even said, “Your episode made me feel like someone finally understood.”
That is the impact I dreamed of.
How It Is Shaping My Future
Starting this podcast has been more than a creative project. It has become the foundation of my early career. I have developed skills in research, interviewing, audio editing, marketing, and storytelling. It has also helped me build connections across Canada with youth leaders, community organizations, and even pageant titleholders like Miss Queen Alberta 2025, who joined me for one of my episodes.
In the future, I hope to build this platform even further. Maybe even turn it into a digital storytelling nonprofit or use it to create resources for schools. No matter where it goes, I know that Stories in Black and White will remain a space where young people can speak freely, be heard, and know that their experiences matter. Of course, I want students and youth to take this positive message with them into their careers and soar with it.
Final Words
The Stories in Black and White podcast is not just a passion project. It is a reminder that young voices are powerful and that real change starts with real stories.
Seeing the response to my efforts has made me want to incorporate inclusion into my career goals. When all members of a team feel valued, that team goes much farther and is more successful. This is a message I plan to champion now and into the future.
Want to follow the journey?
Search Stories in Black and White on Spotify, Instagram, or YouTube. Let us change the narrative together.
About the Author
Delight Anekwe is a student, aspiring healthcare professional, and the creator of Stories in Black and White, a youth-led podcast amplifying underrepresented voices. Through her work, she hopes to inspire young people to speak their truth and dream bigger about what is possible. Connect with her on Instagram @just_a_girlpodcast or listen to the podcast on Spotify.