UARR marks fifty years of justice

Editor’s Note: You may have missed this when it first published, but its insights feel even sharper today. We invite you to revisit it with fresh eyes.

For fifty years, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has stood at the forefront of racial, social, and economic justice in Canada. Founded in 1975, the organization has built a legacy rooted in community advocacy, research, education, and policy change.

According to its website, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations is a non-profit charitable organization that works primarily and proactively with the community, public and private sectors to provide educational programs and research which are critical in addressing racism in society.

That legacy was on full display at UARR’s Annual Racial Justice Awards, which also marked the organization’s 50th anniversary. The event drew a strong cross-section of attendees, including community members, civic officials, labour activists, educators, artists, and advocates from across sectors.

UARR’s work today spans education, policy, youth engagement, research, and public accountability. Current initiatives include:

• Racial Equity & Education
  Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this initiative brings together CASSA, ONABSE, CCNCT, and TCCC to advance systemic change in education policy and practice.
• Diverse Youth Fellowship
  A non-partisan program offering students hands-on opportunities to engage in civic affairs while completing their academic studies.
• Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression Training Institute
  A formal resource delivering tailored training, workshops, policy reviews, and public education for organizations and institutions.
• Museum of Anti-Racism
  A virtual museum documenting 50 years of activism, including the history of racism, anti-racism movements, and anti-Black racism. The project will feature 100 lessons and 25 learning modules.
• Reclaiming Our Narrative
  A media-based initiative that documents lived experiences through interviews, training programs, digital platforms, weekly online shows, and blogs.
• Access to Justice
  A multifaceted initiative addressing police accountability, training and complaint systems, legal aid protections, legal defense supports, and education-related tax reforms.
• REBUILT Initiative
  A youth-led research and consultation project designed to amplify the voices of racialized communities in dialogue with municipal, provincial, and federal governments.
• Racial Justice Policy Hub
  A volunteer-driven research hub producing papers, summaries, and essays on health, justice, education, and media, exploring topics such as healthcare access, environmental racism, intersectionality, and public safety policy.
  

The Annual Racial Justice Awards recognize six to ten individuals each year whose work advances: racial equity across health, labour, government, media, education, and justice, including UARR’s Agent of Change Award. This year’s six award recipients were:

• Migrant Rights Award: Sarom Rho
  An organizer with the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change (MWAC), with prior involvement in Migrant Students United and Gig Workers United.
• Labour Award: Jojo Geronimo
  A long-time justice educator and activist with over 50 years of advocacy, including work with the Cross Cultural Communications Centre, the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), and as a policy assistant within the Ontario government.
• Justice Award: Andrea Vázquez Jiménez
  Founder, Director, and Principal Consultant of Policing-Free Schools (Canada), recognized for her leadership in advocating for equitable, policing-free educational environments.
• Agent of Change Award: Neethan Shan
  Former Executive Director of UARR and past Trustee and Chair of the Toronto District School Board and York Region District School Board. He was recently elected as a Toronto City Councillor.
• Arts Award: Jay Douglas
  An artist and cultural trailblazer whose voice, leadership, and legacy continue to uplift generations.
• Government Award: Jill Andrew
  Recognized for her dedication, courage, and community leadership in advancing justice through public service.

The awards gala also featured live performances by singer Clair Jun, singer and violinist Sador Bereketab, spoken word artist Yasmin Said, and Ríthika Jeristus and Maya Jeristus of the Tamil Dance Ensemble, adding energy and cultural richness to the evening.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Jill Andrew shared a public message on November 29th, 2025 “Thank you Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) for this moment in the sun… We were there…”

UARR later shared a year-end message on December 23^rd, 2025, capturing the spirit of the milestone, “As we end the year, we are filled with gratitude. Surrounded by activists, community leaders, artists, and supporters, we honoured individuals who have advanced racial equity across sectors. We close this year grateful for 50 years of impact, and hopeful for the future we are building together.”

After five decades of advocacy, UARR’s anniversary celebration served as a reaffirmation of the work still ahead.