The second session of the Youth for Equity project took place at Hillhead High School on March 26th, focusing on two key social issues: homelessness and racism.

We began the day with a powerful workshop led by a representative from Simon Community Scotland. He spoke about the realities of homelessness in Glasgow, the charity’s work, and the impact they’re making in local communities. Students responded with enthusiasm—asking insightful questions about how to help, raise awareness, and ensure the safety of those working on the front lines.

After a short break, we welcomed Etienne Kubwabo, a Glasgow-based comic book creator and filmmaker. Etienne is the author of Beats of War, a comic set in Glasgow and featuring Scotland’s first Black superhero. He shared how his personal journey, including his experiences with racism, has shaped his creative work. He emphasized how art and storytelling can be powerful forces for social change, encouraging students to use creativity as a way to challenge injustice and express identity. Students were encouraged to reflect on representation and identity by designing their own superhero characters. From this superhero gallery, Etienne will select the top three entries and feature one of them in his next comic.

Want to hear more from Etienne? Check out the interview he did with some of our students!

Looking ahead, our third session promises to be just as inspiring, with The Black Curriculum joining us for a workshop this May to teach accessible and engaging Black histories, encouraging social cohesion and knowledge development in young people.