Master of Professional Communication alum listed in Canada's Top 100 Black Women to Watch 2023
Master of Professional Communication (MPC) alumna Denée Rudder was recently recognized by Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE) for her achievements and impactful contributions, making her mark on Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch 2023 list.
This prestigious award shines a spotlight on the remarkable strides made by Black women in Canada and globally. Her noteworthy accomplishments include the creation of an interactive map highlighting environmental racism in Canada for her Major Research Project (MRP), as well as starting a sustainable self care business, founding her own creative marketing agency, and serving on the Board of Directors for Enroute 2 Success.
“The news of being recognized among Canada’s top 100 Black women to watch in 2023 was an overwhelming and humbling experience. I was shocked and felt a deep sense of honour and gratitude to be recognized for the work that I am doing,” she said. “It fueled my determination to continue working towards my goals and dreams, to make a positive impact in my community and beyond.”
Taking transferable skills from the classroom to the workforce
Rudder’s journey at The Creative School started in 2018 when she began her undergraduate degree in Journalism. Shortly after graduating, she furthered her education with the MPC program to build on her existing communication and media skills. She credits both programs as being pivotal in shaping her professional journey to where she is today.
“The degrees taught me many transferable skills such as storytelling, branding, relationship-building, writing, and oral communication, which eventually led me to the field of public relations, along with the confidence to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors,” she said. “The combined knowledge and skills acquired at The Creative School have been instrumental in my success.”
Bridging research with passion
During her time in the MPC program, Rudder dedicated her research to examining how the Canadian government conceptualizes historical trauma and healing within its official apologies; through a case study analysis of the Halifax Regional Municipality’s (HRM) apology for the destruction of Africville. Africville was a small community of predominantly African Nova Scotians located in Halifax, that endured years of neglect, injustice, environmental inequities, and structural racism that was eventually bulldozed by the City.
To explore the HRM apology, Rudder used a critical analysis to analyze the rhetorical strategies used and evaluated any post-apology actions by the city of Halifax. She also did a comparative analysis to look at the media coverage of the apology to explore the public’s perception.
“As a Black Canadian with family ties to Nova Scotia that goes back many generations, this research became personal and emotional for me,” explained Rudder. “I learned so much about my family’s history and heritage as generational Black Canadians, the dynamics of government-issued apologies, and the nuances of rhetorical strategies used in apologies.”
Rudder was recognized for her achievements at the CIBWE Black Pearls Gala. Her entrepreneurial endeavours and commitment to using innovative ways to report on underrepresented communities make her one to watch for years to come.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.