Black medical learners often experience racial prejudice, microaggressions, isolation and biased assessments during their medical training. Furthermore, rates of recruitment, retention and promotion are lower among Black learners and faculty. Formal equity, diversity and inclusive programs, including culturally appropriate mentorship, are necessary to mitigate the layered disadvantages faced by Black learners that precede admission to medical school. As the number of Black medical students is slowly increasing, it is important to connect Black learners with Black mentors who can provide support through their shared lived experiences. However, the underrepresentation of Black physicians in Canada limits the number of Black physicians available to provide racially concordant mentorship. To date, mentorship programs for Black undergraduate students and medical students exist across Canada, but mentorship for Black residents by Black physicians is lacking. We consider the challenges and the need for mentorship among Black residents in Canada and highlight the implementation of a national racially concordant mentorship program for Black residents, fellows and early career physicians.

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