Viola Desmond Awards & Bursary Program

Cris Nippard is a nineteen-year-old Black, queer radical who is in their second year pursuing a Bachelor of Journalism with a minor in LGBTQ Studies at Toronto Met in Tkaronto. Professionally, Cris leads the queer equity center, The Queer Space, at the Toronto Met Student Union. In this role, they are responsible for community outreach, student support and engagement, and event planning centered in EDI.  

As one of the first racialized people in this role, Cris is dedicated to ensuring all members of the queer community feel represented. In their free time, Cris is a writer and copy editor, formulating both creative and news based multimedia content for a variety of student-led publications. Cris is passionate about human rights and social justice, especially for racialized queer and trans people, and they hope to spend their future doing meaningful community work supporting these groups.

Dr. Stephanie Latty is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology at Toronto Metropolitan University. She holds a Ph.D from the University of Toronto in the Collaborative Women and Gender Studies Program in the Department of Social Justice Education. Her research focuses on Black feminisms, critical race theory, carcerality, gendered violence, and abolition. Stephanie’s current work explores the media and legal discourses surrounding Black women and girls who have experienced strip-searching and other forms of state violence in Canada. Her research has appeared in Somatechnics, Lateral, the Critical Ethnic Studies Journal (with Megan Scribe, Alena Peters and Anthony Morgan), and The Lauryn Hill Reader (with Sefanit Habtom and Eve Tuck).

Committed to community-based research, Stephanie is currently a Co-Investigator on a SSHRC-funded project examining Black cluster hiring initiatives in Canadian universities. She serves on the Executive Board of the Black Canadian Studies Association, a nation-wide academic association of scholars, students, artists and community members engaged in the development of Black Studies in Canada. Lastly, Stephanie is part of the Organizing Committee of Write On, a community-based group that supports and stands in solidarity with people in provincial and federal prisons in Canada through letter-writing.

To learn more, visit Stephanie’s website (external link) .

Camara Chambers is a celebrated leader, hailed as one of 100 Black Women in Canada to Watch and a CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow. Raised in England to Jamaican parents, Camara leveraged her law degree from the University of Liverpool to champion impactful change. She has led pivotal initiatives, including a national policy program at Europe’s largest LGBTQ charity and directing Volunteer Toronto, Canada’s largest volunteer centre.

As the Director of Leadership Development at The Dais, a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, Camara crafts programs that mold future Canadian leaders. She launched the Dais Talks on Anti-Racism, engaging community leaders, politicians, and experts in vital public discussions, and spearheaded TMU’s Race Forward career program, tailored for Black students to provide vital mentorship and professional development.

Outside of her professional life, Camara founded Let’s Hike T.O., Toronto’s first diversity-focused hiking community. Launched during the pandemic, the non-profit organization has united over 2,000 people, celebrating Black culture through activities like Black history walks. Additionally, Camara actively contributes to Accelerate Her Future, a career accelerator for Indigenous, Black, and racialized women in business and tech, underscoring her commitment to nurturing young talent.

Ashley Jane Lewis is a new media artist and creative technologist with a focus on bio art, interactivity, social justice and speculative design. She holds degrees from Toronto Metropolitan University and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. 

Ashley explores Black cultures of the past, present and future through computational and analog mediums including coding, electronics and fabrication. Her science-driven work incorporates organisms like slime mold and mycelium to explore ways of decentralizing humans to imagine collective multispecies liberation and survival. Listed in the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada, she has exhibited across North America, most notably on the White House website during the Obama presidency. 

Ashley was featured by Google in a series of mini documentaries profiling high impact Black Women Techmakers. With over a million views, this Webby Award winning series shows the diversity of socially driven practices in technology. Ashley is part of the inaugural cohort of Black Postdoctoral Fellows at TMU’s Black Scholarship Institute continuing her work on Black culture and microorganisms. As the only female Fellow, Ashley sees it her responsibility to build opportunities for Black female and non-binary scholars within The Creative School.

To learn more, visit Ashley’s website (external link)  or follow Ashley on Instagram (external link) .

Charlene Theodore is Chief Inclusion Officer at McCarthy Tétrault. Committed to concrete action in advancing the Firm’s core mission to accelerate diversity, inclusion and corporate social responsibility, Charlene oversees McCarthy Tétrault’s award-winning Inclusion Now strategy. 

As the first Black president of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and 10th woman to hold Office, Charlene designed and implemented a series of initiatives for law firms and Corporate Canada to reimagine workplaces building productive, profitable, healthy, diverse and inclusive work environments. 

Charlene is a member and former Director of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), Canada’s largest national association of Black lawyers and judges. She is a recipient of a 2017 Lexpert Zenith Award honouring her for work in advancing the interests of women in the legal profession and society. In 2020, Charlene was named one of Canada’s 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine, and in 2024 she was named DEI Leader of the Year in Canada at Legal Media Group’s (LMG) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Americas Awards.

Luanda Campbell has been with Enbridge for nine years, spending eight in the Enterprise Security department before transitioning to her current role in Human Resources as a Campus Recruitment Advisor. Following the murder of George Floyd, Enbridge signed The BlackNorth Initiative’s Corporate Pledge to address systemic anti-Black racism, inspiring her to take action. Since 2021, she has established scholarships for Black law students in Ontario and launched Enbridge’s Legal Mentorship Program, pairing first-year Black and Indigenous law students with Enbridge lawyers. The program expanded this year to Alberta and Houston, TX. In her current role, she established a law scholarship for Indigenous students and started a mentorship program for women in engineering.

Although she once dreamed of becoming a teacher or lawyer, her education was interrupted when she became a mother at 16. Working as a Campus Recruitment Advisor allows her to engage with both the education and legal communities. This year, she was thrilled to see her daughter graduate from law school, fulfilling a personal dream. As a Reiki Master Teacher, she is dedicated to helping others realize their potential for the collective greater good. Her goal is to make Enbridge a leader in student programming.

Safia Thompson is a Litigation Associate at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Toronto. She is building a broad litigation practice with a focus on commercial and public law disputes, class actions, infrastructure and construction disputes, and professional liability. She has litigated before the Federal Tax Court of Canada in a complex constitutional tax law matter. Notably, Safia is recognized by Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE) as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch of 2023.

Safia obtained her J.D. (with Distinction) from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Lincoln Alexander School of Law, where she graduated as the law school’s Inaugural Valedictorian and as the law school’s first recipient of the TMU Dennis Mock Student Leadership Award. Safia received several additional honours while at Lincoln Alexander, including the Andy and Valerie Pringle Law School Scholarship, the Vs. All Odds Award, and the Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein LLP Award in Criminal law.

Passionate about mentorship and giving back, Safia served as one of the Founding Co-Presidents, Alumni Advisor and 3L Representative of the Black Law Students’ Association at Lincoln Alexander. She also worked as a Teaching Assistant for Lincoln Alexander’s first-year Property Law course as well as a Research Assistant to the Associate Dean, Academic. One of her favourite projects she’s designed and led to date is a job shadowing program for Black undergraduate students in the Black Future Lawyers program at the University of Toronto.

Follow Safia on LinkedIn (external link) .

Born and raised in Toronto's vibrant and culturally rich East Side, Chelsi takes immense pride in her roots. Growing up in a diverse community has profoundly influenced her worldview. From a young age, Chelsi's passion has been to effect change by enhancing the portrayal of Black women through the art of storytelling. She firmly believes in the transformative power of one's voice, and she channels her creative expression through spoken word, writing, hosting, and producing. Chelsi is an award-winning host who has graced the stage as a performer and emcee at various impactful events, including Black History Month celebrations, the STOMP Urban Dance Showcase, the BOSSY film premiere, I.E. Crew’s Dance showcase, and art exhibitions.

Motivated by the issues of underrepresentation and social inequality, Chelsi embarks on a mission to create inclusive content that fosters connections and inspires others. What excites her the most is connecting with people through various mediums. As a new graduate from TMU’s RTA Media Production program, she consistently seeks ways to merge education, authenticity, and entertainment in her work. Chelsi aspires to contribute to a more inclusive media landscape, where stories from diverse perspectives are celebrated and embraced.

In the future, Chelsi hopes to produce various forms of media that prioritize authentic storytelling of diverse cultures. Described as charismatic and passionate by her peers, Chelsi is paving her own path in the media and entertainment industry.

Faith-Ann Clarke is a 21-year-old multi-talented creative who recently graduated with distinction from Toronto Metropolitan University’s RTA School of Media, in the Media Production program with a concentration in Television and Film. Faith-Ann has had a strong passion for media production and storytelling since a young age and is now pursuing her dreams of being a TV and Film Director and Producer. 

She enjoys bringing stories to life, creating engaging and powerful content that forms a connection between the viewers and what's on screen. She strives to make memorable and impactful change within the industry and in the lives of many and to create enjoyable, educational, and relatable content for everyone. As a successful, intelligent, and creative Black woman, defying societal expectations has become a consistent theme. 

Despite enduring social injustices, her resilience has driven her to embody the antithesis of societal expectations, continually breaking down barriers while excelling in both her post-secondary and media career. Active participation in joining and creating Black-led clubs, creating authentic media featuring underrepresented communities, and addressing systemic issues Black individuals face reflect her commitment to advocacy, positive change, and her resilience and leadership, which have helped her navigate the educational system despite its inherent challenges. Faith-Ann embodies Viola Desmond's legacy of resilience by employing her problem-solving skills and maintaining courage and strength in the face of barriers and challenges throughout her post-secondary education.

Follow Faith-Anne on Linkedln  (external link) and check out Faith-Anne’s website (external link) .

Titilayo Coker-Oshiwoga is a mother of two beautiful children and a fourth-year student in the Nutrition and Food Department. In addition to her degree, she is pursuing a certificate in food security. As a Holistic nutritionist with a diploma in Natural Nutrition from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, she has also earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Nutritional Biochemistry. With this background, she has taught Biochemistry to undergraduate students for about three years.

Currently, Titilayo volunteers at St. Michael’s Hospital, specifically at the Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinic, where she collaborates with registered dietitians and other volunteers to provide patients and families with health and nutrition information. She aspires to become a registered dietitian with a focus on the preventative power of food in alleviating diet-related diseases. Titilayo hopes to use the knowledge and understanding from this program in dietetics with a mindset of inclusivity, especially for Black communities within Canada. She aims to be a dietitian who will practice through an equity lens by applying her lived experiences as an immigrant in a multicultural country such as Canada.

Born in Ethiopia and raised in the UAE, Hermela Taye moved to Toronto on her own to pursue a Business Management Co-op program at Toronto Metropolitan University, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Professional Communications. 

Throughout her university journey, Hermela was deeply involved in extracurriculars, dedicating her time to organizations that allowed her to give back to her community. She began with Trek for Teens Foundation, advocating for homeless youth in Toronto, and later played a key role in establishing the Black Business Student Association (BBSA) on campus, where she served as Vice President of Marketing and Co-President. Her work at Trek for Teens reflected her deep commitment to social causes and advocacy, particularly for vulnerable youth, and further strengthened her passion for creating positive change in the world. Passionate about building and nurturing community, Hermela helped create a space where she and others could thrive in an environment that often lacked cultural representation. The Black Business Student Association is now an award-winning student group, and has grown to become the largest network of Black students on campus. 

Now working as a Digital Campaign Lead at CIBC, she continues to engage with and support her community by attending CIBC’s Black Employee Network events, seeking to forge connections and contribute to an inclusive workplace culture. With a proven track record of leadership and community-building, Hermela is committed to making a meaningful impact in both her career and the communities she is a part of.

Alicia Gonsalves will be entering Seneca@York in the Social Service Worker Program in  January 2025. 

Alicia was an active leader throughout her high school career at Emery Collegiate Institute. She made a positive impact through her involvement in many student organizations: Black Student Alliance; Student Council Committee; Emery Student Ambassadors; Robotics Club; Newcomers Club; TRACE (Truth and Reconciliation in Action Committee at Emery); HERO (Helping to Educate Regarding Orientation).

Alicia is looking forward to expanding her community connections and getting involved in campus life as she begins the Social Service Worker Program at Seneca@York.

Alicia's long-term goal ambition is to be a guiding light for individuals in need, offering unwavering support and making a lasting impact in their lives. Alicia is deeply committed to giving back. She envisions using her skill and compassion to uplift her community and inspire positive change for generations to come. 

Alicia is grateful for the support that she received from her mother, Karel Joseph. She also appreciates the guidance from the staff at Emery Collegiate Institute with special thanks to Ms. Lydian Johnson and Principal Maria Palermo.

Shanice Maria Samms is currently enrolled at York University in the Department of Social Sciences, pursuing a criminology program. In June 2024, she graduated with honours from Downsview Secondary School.

During her time in high school, Shanice had the opportunity to serve her community through various meaningful initiatives, including the Black Student Alliance (BSA), the Black Brilliance Conference, Sisters with Voices, Peer Tutoring and Rites of Passage. Supporting transformative social change is of great importance to her.

Shanice's present goal is to thrive in her first year of university while deepening her studies in Black history. Her long-term career aspiration is to become a lawyer, joining the 4% of racialized women who have their own legal practice.

She extends her gratitude to TMU for hosting the Viola Desmond Awards Ceremony and appreciates all those who have supported her journey to this special moment. She is especially thankful for her history teacher in the Africentric Program, Ms. Christine Reid, and the school leadership team at Downsview for their unwavering belief in her potential.

Additionally, Shanice expresses her heartfelt appreciation to her parents, Obrena Horne and Michael Samms, for their unwavering presence and encouragement throughout her life.

Naomi Wokocha is in her final year of the English and Philosophy (Hons.) double major program, with a minor in Criminology at TMU. Throughout her time at TMU, she has dedicated herself to many academic and professional pursuits. Including the TMU PreMedical Society, the Student Initiative Fund, and working as a research assistant for the Philosophy and History departments. Particularly, she is very passionate about equity-centred research and bioethics, specifically focusing on the perspectives of equity-deserving groups and Black maternal health. Her interest in healthcare arose from her appreciation for the complexities and ethical challenges that arise in the practice of medicine and her desire to combine it with her interest in epistemological/moral philosophy. All of which started her journey into ethics and research. Her equity-centred research at TMU led her to work as a Research Student in SickKids’ bioethics department, spearhead a quality improvement research project at William Osler Health System, and start a lucrative clinical ethics internship at William Osler. Nonetheless, she remains committed to TMU. Naomi has been an active board member of TMU’s Research Ethics Board for over two years and is currently the Vice President of the PreMedical Society.