Toronto Life
Toronto Life is the destination for people who care about Toronto, the country’s most vibrant city, and want to get the most out of it. We provide insight into the personalities and events that shape the landscape and help readers make smart choices about everything from restaurants to shopping to real estate to culture.
Growing up in community housing, I had to fight for my education. Now, as a chemist, I bring STEM learning to low-income kids
Eugenia Addy, formerly Eugenia Duodu, grew up in community housing in Etobicoke and often had to fight for access to education. Now she has a PhD in chemistry and runs Visions of Science, a non-profit that brings STEM learning to low-income kids. As the school year ramps up, we spoke to Addy about how she got where she is and the education gaps facing students from marginalized communities, especially during a pandemic.
“It’s not like we can take off our black skin and operate in this world without it”: A social worker on how racism affects mental health”
Donna Alexander is a social worker who offers specialized services for Black youths dealing with addiction, mental illness, suicidal thinking and criminalization. Toronto Life spoke to her about the cumulative psychological effects of racism, the need for culturally specific counselling for Black people, and why she believes police should not be first responders to mental health crises.
“We’re in a pandemic. Now we have to respond to trauma in a pandemic”: Why this hairstylist transformed her salon into a wellness hub for Black women
Before the pandemic hit, Allison Hill started a wellness series for Black women out of her Riverdale hair salon. In the past couple of weeks, she’s discovered her clients need those services more than ever. Toronto Life spoke to Hill about the pressures experienced by Black women and how hairstyling is about more than just beauty.