Editor’s Note: You may have missed this the first time, or its impact may hit differently now. Either way, it’s worth your attention.
The 17th Annual Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary Ceremony drew a full and celebratory audience to the Steve & Rashmi Gupta Lecture Hall at the Ted Rogers School of Management on Thursday, February 19th, 2026.
Hosted during Black History Month, the event recognized Black women and gender-diverse leaders whose contributions continue to shape Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and the broader community.
According to a press release from the Office of the Vice-President, Equity & Community Inclusion (OVPECI), the ceremony promotes Black flourishing, shining a light on the phenomenal Black women and gender-diverse people whose labour, creativity, passion and skills are positively impacting the entire TMU community. Award recipients are recognized for advancing Viola Desmond’s legacy of bold leadership, social justice and community impact.
This year marked a notable partnership between the Ted Rogers School of Management and OVPECI to ensure representation in the Leadership in Business category, recognizing leaders whose influence extends beyond their organizations through equity-focused leadership, mentorship and service.
Tanya (Toni) De Mello, Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, reflected on the significance of the awards, “The story of Viola Desmond is about an extraordinary civil rights leader that helped to build this country, but it’s important to note that most people had not heard of her until decades after her activism. She took a stand against racial segregation nine years before Rosa Parks. The Viola Desmond Awards seeks to make what can be invisible, visible. We’re honouring Black women and gender-diverse individuals at TMU, so people can learn their stories will shape our legacy for years to come.”
The evening brought together members of Black, African and Caribbean communities, along with university leaders, faculty and guests. Among those in attendance were the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, Dr. Pamela Appelt, Dr. Carl James and members of TMU’s School of Medicine. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow delivered remarks, and the program featured a drum ensemble and a dance performance by Mya Barrett and Lacia-Paige Cummings to “Our Love,” originally performed by Nina Simone.
Student Bursary Recipients
- Feben Bogale, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science
- Zintiat Kelly, Bachelor of Social Work, School of Social Work
- Zada Johnson-Mills, Midwifery Education Program, Faculty of Community Services
- Naomi Nokocha, English and Philosophy, Faculty of Arts
- Helena Ashenafi, Business Technology Management, Ted Rogers School of Management
- Lynn Larbi, Child and Youth Care, Faculty of Community Services
TDSB Student Award Recipients
- Inioluwa Gbenjo, Westview Centennial Secondary School
- Fatima Omer, Parkdale Collegiate Institute
Viola Desmond Award Recipients
- Trudy McFarlane, TMU Faculty/Administrator Award — Black Health Lead, TMU School of Medicine
- Nicole Austin, TMU Staff Award — Black-Led Programs Coordinator, Urban Farm
- Zoe Walugn, TMU Alumni Award — Judicial Law Clerk, Federal Courts of Canada
- Deborah Flint, TMU Business Leaders Award — President and CEO, Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Luz Longsworth, Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Resorts International
- Claudette McGowan, CEO, Protexxa
More information about the awards is available at torontomu.ca/viola.
Seventeen years later, the Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary Ceremony remains a defining Black History Month event at TMU, connecting past struggles to present leadership and future possibility.
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