TTC honours Black community leaders in celebration of Black History Month
The TTC has launched its annual Black History Month celebrations at a special event held today at the TTC McNicoll Bus Garage. TTC Chair Jamaal Myers joined TTC employees to unveil the works of seven local Black artists, whose portraits honouring Black leaders will be displayed on specially wrapped TTC buses and in select stations throughout February.
This year’s theme is “City of Belonging: Celebrating Toronto’s Black Community Builders”. Six honorees were selected by TTC employees and Black community members and leaders for their contributions to social justice, public safety, education, healthcare, politics, the arts, and immigrant support in Toronto. Their portraits are by Toronto-based Black artists selected in partnership with Astrosankofa Arts Initiatives.
“February is Black History Month. We honour the history and ongoing contributions of Black changemakers, leaders and innovators, who have shaped our city and the world,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “As we appreciate Black heritage, traditions and culture, we must also recognize and commit to ending anti-Black racism, discrimination and oppression - in all its forms. Toronto is the most diverse city in the world. We celebrate the Black communities who call this city home and add to our cultural diversity.”
“By highlighting stories of Black Torontonians and TTC employees, we celebrate their impact on Toronto’s Black cultural fabric and recognize their efforts in making Toronto a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “On behalf of the TTC Board, I extend my thanks to Astrosankofa Arts Initiatives and the contributing Black artists whose unique perspectives and creative talents bring an added layer of depth to this year’s celebration.”
“The TTC is proud to celebrate and honour the incredible contributions Black Torontonians have made to our community,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “Our transit system plays a vital role in connecting communities, and through this initiative, we are celebrating the diversity and excellence that exists in Toronto. We encourage everyone to experience these inspiring art installations and learn more about the significant contributions Black Canadians have made to our city.”
“AstroSankofa is a rare artist collective and organization dedicated to utilizing Afrofuturism in public art, mentoring Black creatives while honouring Black Canadian legacies,” said AstroSankofa Director Quentin VerCetty. “We’re proud of our third partnership with TTC, providing a platform for emerging talent and highlighting the invaluable contributions of Black Torontonians who have helped to build a City of Belonging. Visibility makes dreams a possibility and this campaign serves as a portal: shining a light on Afrofuturistic storytelling that reclaims our past, empowers our present and shapes a limitless future for a better, brighter Toronto.”
“As a Black Canadian artist, being part of this campaign means a lot to me. I’m glad to showcase Dr. Akua Benjamin’s work and share her legacy of empowering and building the Black community through her consistent advocacy for social justice,” said Shannia Lewis, one of AstroSankofa’s featured artists. “In seeing my work and other artists in this campaign, we hope people connect with the honorees’ stories, feel a deeper sense of pride in our history, and celebrate the richness of Black culture now and into the future.”
Black History Month Honorees and Artists
Dr. Akua Benjamin is a Professor Emeritus at Toronto Metropolitan University and social justice activist who coined the term ‘anti-Black racism’ to highlight systemic discrimination in Canada. Dr. Benjamin’s portrait is by artist Shannia Lewis.
Debbie Douglas is a respected community leader and advocate in Toronto, known for her work on immigrant and refugee rights, racial justice and social equity. She’s also the Executive Director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). Her portrait is by artist Jamera DaCosta.
Adonis Huggins is a filmmaker, tango dancer and the Executive and Artistic Director of FOCUS Media Arts Centre in Toronto – which has been empowering marginalized Regent Park youth through media arts since 1991. His portrait is by artist Jason O’Brien.
Louis March was a founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement and advocated for reducing gun violence within the Black community through community engagement and by also addressing the root causes. He died in the summer of 2024 after battling an illness. Louis March’s portrait is by artists Ugonna Ikechi & Quentin VerCetty.
Angela Robertson is a respected social justice advocate in Toronto, focusing on health equity, women and queer rights, and racial justice. She leads the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. Her portrait is by artist Jasaña Alleyne.
Colleen Russell-Rawlins is an accomplished educator and leader. As the former Director of Education of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the largest school board in Canada, she leaves a legacy of fostering equity, inclusion and academic excellence in school systems and communities across the city. Her portrait is by artist Boloebi Charles Okah.
Further information about this year’s honorees and the artists is available at www.ttc.ca. 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.
This initiative aligns with TTC’s Anti-Racism Strategy, which aims to eradicate all forms of racism at the TTC, including anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and all forms of racism against racialized groups. The Strategy supports key City of Toronto initiatives, including the Toronto Action Plan to confront Anti-Black Racism and the Reconciliation Action Plan. It also supports the TTC’s 2024-2028 Corporate Plan by helping to build a transit system that is welcoming and inclusive for all.