The TTC is honouring Black History Month with specially wrapped buses featuring prominent Black figures.
The buses feature the work of seven Toronto-based Black artists who have created portraits honouring various Black leaders.
This year, the TTC’s theme is City of Belonging: Celebrating Toronto’s Black Community Builders.
TTC employees, as well as Black community members and leaders, chose six leaders to be honoured for their contributions to social justice, public safety, education, health-care, politics, the arts, and immigrant support in Toronto.
The portraits were created by artists selected in partnership with Astrosankofa Arts Initiatives.
“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,” TTC Chair Jamaal Myers said in a statement.
One of the participating artists, Shannia Lewis, shared that as a Black Canadian artist being featured in this campaign means a lot.
“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,” Lewis said in a statement.
“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.”
SIX TORONTONIANS HONOURED WITH WRAPS
Dr. Akua Benjamin
Lewis created a portrait of Dr. Akua Benjamin, a Professor Emeritus at Toronto Metropolitan University. Benjamin is also the activist responsible for coining the term “anti-Black racism.”
Debbie Douglas
Community leader Debbie Douglas has been honoured with a portrait by artist Jamera DaCosta. Douglas is an advocate who is well known for her work on immigrant and refugee rights, racial justice and social equity. Additionally, she is the Executive Director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants.
Adonis Huggins
In addition to being a dancer and filmmaker, artist Adonis Huggins is also the Executive and Artistic Director of FOCUS Media Arts Centre in Toronto, an organization that works to empower marginalized youth in the Regent Park neighbourhood. He has been honoured with a portrait by artist Jason O’Brien.
Louis March
The late founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement Louis March has been honoured with a portrait by Ugonna Ikechi & Quentin VerCetty. Throughout his life, March’s work mainly focused on youth engagement and mentorship initiatives, as well as serving on various community organization boards and advisory committees.
Angela Robertson
Activist Angela Robertson has been honoured with a portrait by Jasaña Alleyne. Robertson is well-known in the city for her work focusing on health equity, women and queer rights, and racial justice. Currently, Robertson leads the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre.
Colleen Russell-Rawlins
Educator and community leader Colleen Russell-Rawlins has been honoured with a portrait by artist Boloebi Charles Okah. Russell-Rawlins was the Director of Education of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), retiring in Nov. 2024 after more than three decades as an educator. Among her many accomplishments, she was responsible for implementing the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.
MURALS TO HONOUR BLACK EXCELLENCE
In addition to the wrapped buses, the TTC has also collaborated with the AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives to create murals honouring 11 Black Torontonians who have made an invaluable mark on the city.
The murals follow the theme “Building on Legacies: Celebrating Black Excellence in Toronto.”
Honoured Torontonians include Dr. Beverley Salmon, Dr. Itah Sadu, Charles Roach, Walter Alexander Foster, Hon. George Carter, CM, Angela James, Dr. Zanana Akande, MPP, Dr. Dionne Brand, Dr. Roberta Timothy, Irma James, and Professor Carl James.
You can find learn more about the murals, including where to find them, and more about each honoree here.
