TTC celebrates Black History Month 2023

Beginning today, in celebration of Black History Month, the TTC will be spotlighting the work of eight local Black artists across the system under the theme “Moving legacies: Celebrating Black innovation and resistance in Ontario. The art features key Black figures, who have played an important role in Ontario politics, education, infrastructure and industry over the years.

The artists were selected in partnership with Astrosankofa Arts Initiatives, and their work will be prominently displayed on wrapped buses, as murals on streetcars and buses, as posters in stations, and across TTC social media channels. For the first time, the TTC will also be wrapping a Wheel-Trans vehicle to recognize the month.

“I look forward to seeing the work of local artists highlighted across our transit system in the month ahead” said Mayor John Tory. “This is an important month to celebrate the incredible contributions Black Canadians have made, and continue to make to our city, including in arts and culture, and I’m glad to see the TTC embracing this on all their vehicles.”

“We’re proud to celebrate Black History Month with our employees and customers this February, and especially pleased to be able to spotlight the work of these amazing artists,” said TTC Chair Jon Burnside. “Occasions such as this allow us to celebrate the diversity of our system, and work towards building a more inclusive transit system.”

“We’re proud to recognize Black History Month once again at the TTC, and I look forward to seeing these artists prominently featured across our system,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “Diversity, equity and inclusion are priorities for the TTC, and Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians.”

The artists featured this year are Adeyemi "Yung Yem Adegbesan, Autumn Beals, Danilo “Deluxo” McCallum, Kanisha Dabreo, Komi Olaf, Meighan Morson, Quentin VerCetty and Troydell Wallace.

The wrapped vehicles will operate along a number of routes throughout the city including:

• 501 Queen
• 505 Dundas
• 32 Eglinton West
• 35 Jane
• 36 Finch West
• 102 Markham Road

In addition, customers can use the digital Black History Month Ride and Find Guide to take the TTC to visit high profile locations across the city where key Black figures have left a legacy mark. The guide is available at ttc.ca/BHM.

Internally, the TTC will be observing Black History Month by spotlighting the contributions of Black employees, as well as through bus tours and digital content.