Community Initiatives
2023
Journeys InEquity Consulting, in partnership with the Centre for Women and Trans People (CWTP) and Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG), held a 2SLGBTQ+ Open House during University of Toronto's Queer Orientation Week. The event was an outdoor drop-in where 2SLGBTQ+ students had the space to meet new friends and allies, network and access resources from Sexual Education Centre (SEC), Sexual and Gender Diversity Office (SGDO), OPIRG and CWTP. Students were introduced to legends from Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance (TKBA) - Toronto's remarkable and artist-positive Ballroom Scene and asylum network, where Black and racialized 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adults build chosen families to nurture the needs of those facing barriers, exclusion and trauma.
The Ballroom Scene hosts spectacular competitions called "Balls," having been popularized through Vogueing, Runway, Face and Best Dressed. TKBA showcased a spectacular performance, personifying over 10 exciting Ballroom categories.
Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance
Custom Water Transfer Printing
Ontario Public Interest Research Group
The Centre for Women and Trans People @ University of Toronto
2022
After the devastating racially-motivated mass shooting in East Buffalo NY where 10 Black people tragically lost their lives, Journeys InEquity Consulting traveled to East Buffalo to support food drives in the impacted neighbourhood. This tragedy occurred inside the community's main grocery store, leaving residents unable to access food and resources during the length of the investigation. Buffalo area residents sprung into immediate action, creating multiple food drives and shuttles for elderly and disabled folks to access food, water and medication. Journeys InEquity Consulting was honoured to be able to support East Buffalo residents because community has no borders.
2021
Journeys InEquity Consulting, in partnership with Black Women in Motion (BWIM), held a free laptop giveaway where over 20 donated laptops were distributed to low-income residents around Toronto. Black Women in Motion provides learning spaces for Black women, girls, nonbinary and gender non-conforming survivors of gender-based violence, to expand their skills and invest in their wellness.
2020
Journeys InEquity Consulting had the opportunity to provide 3 2SLGBTQ+ students with the Journeys InEquity Award. The Journeys InEquity Award supported racialized 2SLGBTQ+ students with $1000.00 bursaries to promote their personal educational journeys surrounding equity and social justice. A summary of the award recipients can be found below:
Kain Jogie (they/them)
Beginning their second year of a Social Service Worker program at George Brown College states this: "Recognizing that social workers and social service workers play a role in policing communities, I aim to become an agent of harm reduction." For years, Kain has been active in using their social media platform to share resources, educate and connect the global 2SLGBTQIAP+ community; promoting visibility and opportunities for Black trans, nonbinary and gender diverse communities. Working through anti-oppressive frameworks, Kain is currently pursuing opportunities to develop their facilitation skills and tools around wellness and self-care for 2SLGBTQIAP+ students and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) youth.
Kay Simon (zi/zir)
A Black queer youth entering zir first year of a Social Service Worker program at Seneca @ York. After being a counsellor and leader at a camp for queer and trans youth, Kay is now passionate about bringing camping opportunities to low-income BIPOC communities. Kay's experience navigating mental health challenges fuels zir to want to bring change to the ways Black communities can access mental health awareness, while also challenging how current hospital and mental health facility standards deal with BIPOC and their disabilities.
Louis Morin (he/him)
My name is Louis Morin and I am Metis, specifically of Franco-Miqmac heritage. My area of study/professional pursuit is in law, specifically to be able to act as a lawyer for families involved in Children's Aid Society (CAS) interactions, as well as actions against CAS agents and workers who act in manners of active harm to families experiencing these interactions. I am a former Crown Ward and, while my home was overall pleasant, I have experienced the lack of professionalism and active, purposeful harm Children's Aid and their actions place on vulnerable persons and families that fall under their purview. This bursary allows me to continue working towards this goal, as well as my student and community advocacy on behalf of Indigenous persons. Thank you again for your support and recognition!
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