Viola Desmond Award honourees define transformative leadership

Safia Thompson, a litigation associate at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, is elevating the next generation of Black legal professionals.

A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Thompson was the inaugural valedictorian, and recipient of the Dennis Mock Student Leadership Award. And now she’s one of 14 Black women receiving a Viola Desmond award at the 16th annual Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 at The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres. 

“Being honoured with a Viola Desmond award represents recognition of a collective achievement by all those who have supported, mentored and collaborated with me on my journey,” said Thompson, who is receiving a Community Leader Award. 

“The recognition strengthens my resolve to continue doing the good work, no matter the space I find myself in,” she says.

TMU’s Viola Desmond Awards honour the legacy of Viola Desmond, a Canadian civil rights icon, and recognize Black women and gender-diverse leaders in the community whose achievements and contributions embody the early activist’s spirit of resistance and radical change.

Since her days as a law student, Thompson has passionately pursued advocacy work, and has been deeply invested in building community and addressing critical issues affecting the Black community and beyond.

As one of the founding co-presidents of the Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) at Lincoln Alexander Law, Thompson helped to launch the Black Excellence Award for incoming law students demonstrating a commitment to their community.  She also designed and led a job shadowing program for Black undergraduate students in the Black Future Lawyers program at the University of Toronto.

“I believe that giving back is one of the most powerful ways to assist in achieving our society’s desire for equality and equity,” said Thompson, who was also recognized by Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE) as one of Canada's Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2023. “Now that I am a lawyer, my responsibility to uphold the rule of law is tied to my sense of duty to continue community work.” 

Asked about the advice she would give students and future leaders, she says let humility drive you; “Humility as a leader means recognizing that you don’t have all the answers, fostering an environment where learning and growth are not only encouraged but celebrated.”

Thompson believes that people who lead and inspire best are those who contribute beyond themselves, to the well-being of others. “By being in service to others, we stay grounded and connected,” said Thompson. “Lead with grace and the rest will follow.”

Addressing the nutrition gap

As a volunteer at St. Michael’s Hospital’s Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinic, TMU nutrition student Titilayo Coker-Oshiwoga contributed to the creation of a patient handbook to share information on food supports such as food banks. 

“The patients were able to find a local food bank to receive the help they needed when they needed it—it gave me such a feeling of fulfillment,” said Coker-Oshiwoga, who is being recognized this week with a Viola Desmond Student Award. 

“To be likened to Viola Desmond’s activism is an honour,” she said. “As a recent immigrant and mother, the odds seemed to be stacked against me, so to be heard and seen was recognition of my efforts towards my chosen career path.”

An aspiring registered dietitian who is also pursuing a certificate in food security, Coker-Oshiwoga’s goal is to address diet-related diseases, especially within Black communities. She hopes to bridge the nutrition divide by promoting inclusive nutritional care that takes into account cultural differences and social determinants of health like socioeconomic status, employment and access to affordable nutritious foods. Coker-Oshiwoga has a diploma in natural nutrition, a bachelor of science and master’s of science in nutritional biochemistry, and teaches undergraduate biochemistry.

Coker-Oshiwoga encourages students to start giving back now and not to feel like they need to be established in their careers before contributing to their communities. 

“This award serves to provide further motivation to keep moving forward, breaking barriers, and to continue to give back to my community,” she said. “It will also serve as an inspiration to my children, showing them that they can be whatever or whoever they aspire to be in life.” 

TMU has provided an environment to thrive as a Black woman, she says. 

“I am thankful for the Tri-Mentoring Program and the work of the Black Student Success and Engagement team for providing safe spaces for sharing and for connection, and also for providing resources to help students forge ahead.”

Coker-Oshiwoga is looking forward to the future. “As my high school slogan says ‘the sky's the starting point, not the limit.’”

Congratulations to the all 2024 award and bursary recipients who will be honoured for their commitment to positive change within the Black community.

The annual awards are presented by the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI). This year, OVPECI is partnering with the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, with contributions from campus partners serving on the Viola Desmond Awards Planning Committee.