What to know
- The Scarborough Walk of Fame inducted nine new honourees at a ceremony held at Scarborough Town Centre, recognizing contributions across sports, arts, business and community leadership
- Notable inductees include Olympic champion Andre De Grasse, musician Fefe Dobson and community advocate Jesse Asido
- Inductees reflected on the honour as a “full circle” moment, highlighting Scarborough’s role in shaping their careers and identities
- Mayor Olivia Chow attended and used the event to emphasize plans to advance the proposed Scarborough East LRT and improve local transit
The stars were shining bright in Scarborough on Wednesday as the Scarborough Walk of Fame welcomed nine new inductees, including Olympic champion Andre De Grasse, community builder Jesse Asido, and pop-rock artist Fefe Dobson.
The ceremony took place at Scarborough Town Centre on Wednesday afternoon, celebrating individuals whose impact spans art, culture, business, and community leadership, all rooted in Scarborough and reaching far beyond it.
This year’s honourees include:
- Trevor Godinho – An internationally recognized artist and photographer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Vogue Italia, and Elle.
- Jesse Asido – Founder of Scarborough Spots and host of The Scarborough Show, spotlighting local culture and community stories.
- Geetha Moorthy – Founder and executive director of the SAAAC Autism Centre, improving access to autism services for diverse families.
- John and Cathy Phillips – Philanthropists behind the Northpine Foundation, supporting initiatives that create opportunities for those facing economic hardship.
- Andre De Grasse – One of Canada’s most decorated Olympians and a global force in track and field.
- Stan Farrow – Musician, pianist, and educator who has spent decades sharing classical music across Scarborough.
- Dr. Ashleigh Malloy, C.M. – A global expert in developmental disabilities and founder of Transformation Education International.
- Fefe Dobson – Juno-nominated pop-rock artist whose music has helped shape Canadian pop culture since the early 2000s.
For Asido, the recognition came as a surprise.
“I was surprised when I got the call. I was just focused on my mission, on my work,” he tells Now Toronto. “When you put in great work, sometimes opportunities come, and this happened to be one. It’s surreal, and I can’t even express in words how I truly feel.”
Asido also becomes the first person of Filipino descent to receive a star, a milestone he says carries deep meaning, while also highlighting the broader contributions of the community.
“In Toronto, Filipino people are everywhere doing great work,” he said. “If this star does anything, I want to help bring light and awareness to the amazing Filipino community we have in Scarborough.”
Dobson, though no stranger to accolades, tells Now Toronto this honour stands apart.
“It’s where I was raised, where I was born, the community shaped who I am,” she said.
A Scarborough native and alum of Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, Dobson reflected on how perceptions of the area have shifted over time.
“When I started, if I said I was from Scarborough back in 2003, people would be like, ‘Okay?’ They wouldn’t really pay attention,” she said. “But now, when you say where you’re from, people really recognize it. Over time, there’s been so much undeniable talent coming out of here.”
For De Grasse, the moment felt like a full-circle return. The mall that hosted the ceremony once served as a backdrop to his childhood, from shopping for sneakers to spending afternoons at the arcade.
“It’s a surreal feeling to be back here,” he tells Now Toronto. “So much has changed, but it’s amazing. I’m truly honoured to receive a star here today.”
Mayor Olivia Chow also attended the ceremony, using the occasion to highlight her vision for improving transit in Scarborough. She pointed to the proposed Scarborough East LRT as a key priority, noting ongoing efforts to secure funding from federal and provincial governments.
“I’ve been hearing for quite a while that Scarborough public transit can be a lot better. It’s taking way too long, it needs to be faster,” she said.
Chow added that she plans to bring a motion to the city’s executive committee requesting the LRT project be designated as Toronto’s top transit expansion priority.
The proposal also includes an additional $10 million from the City Building Fund Reserve to speed up the project’s design phase, which has already received $18 million. If approved, the motion would move to city council for final approval.
