Ryerson to Host 10th Annual Viola Desmond Awards & Banquet

Event honouring Canadian civil rights icon will also celebrate the debut of the new $10 bank note

April 04, 2018

TORONTO, April 4, 2018 – The Office of the Vice-President Equity and Community Inclusion at Ryerson University is pleased to host the 10th Annual Viola Desmond Awards and Banquet on May 11, 2018. Taking place at 6 p.m. at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, the event is part of The White Privilege Conference (WPC) Global - Toronto, and will honour Desmond for her contribution to Canada’s human rights movement and celebrate Black women who are leaders in Canada today.

Desmond (1914-1965) was an African-Nova Scotian female entrepreneur who bravely challenged racial segregation at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in 1946. Her struggle became one of the most publicized incidents of racial discrimination in Canadian history. Desmond remains widely recognized for her catalyzing efforts and fittingly, this year’s banquet will also offer an opportunity to celebrate the debut of Canada’s new $10 bill, featuring Desmond. The Viola Desmond Awards & Banquet will also be the first time that the bank note will be at a public event held in Toronto. This new bill produced by The Bank of Canada is the first to include a Black woman on the face of Canadian currency.

“While this is an annual awards event, we’re especially pleased to commemorate such a historic moment with many supporters of social justice who will take part in WPC Global - Toronto,” said Dr. Denise O’Neil Green, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Ryerson University. “Viola Desmond is a true heroine who fought for and demanded equal rights for Black people in Canada, and I can think of no one more deserving to spotlight at our awards banquet.”

The event will celebrate Desmond and the achievements of three accomplished Canadian Black women, named the 2018 Viola Desmond Awards honourees:

Hon. Mayann Francis, former first Black female Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Dr. Malinda Smith, Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta
Ms. Vivian Barbot, first Black female to hold a leadership role in the Bloc Quebecois

Recognizing talent from students, staff and faculty, the event will also highlight members of the Ryerson community who have contributed significantly to the promotion of Black Canadian history.

Register to attend the 10th Annual Viola Desmond Awards & Banquet at https://www.torontomu.ca/wpc-global/viola.

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About Ryerson University

Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 45,500 students, including 2,600 master’s and PhD students, 3,100 faculty and staff, and nearly 185,000 alumni worldwide.

Media Contacts:

Elise Cotter, Media Relations Officer
Public Affairs, Ryerson University
T: 416-979-5000 x 7161
E: elise.cotter@torontomu.ca

Dayo Kefentse, Director of Communications
Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Ryerson University
T: 416-979-5000 x 543511
E: dayo.kefentse@torontomu.ca