“My mother grew up in a very challenging situation. ...I think I always saw the difference in my chances and opportunities versus someone like my mom. And I think I couldn't reconcile that.”
Tanya (Toni) de Mello is the Equity and Diversity Officer at UTSC. She is a lawyer by training and an equity, human rights and anti-racist activist. Toni has worked in a variety of public, private and non-profit environments and was engaged in peace-keeping and emergency relief through the United Nations. Toni shares how her experiences have shaped her views on equity, social exclusion and privilege.
One of the frameworks I've always used is diversity, equity and inclusion
I watched my parents struggle so much
People fear something that's unknown
We are sharing a space. How can we work together?
Interview Participant: Toni de Mello
Interviewer: Shehnaze Sultan
Location: UTSC campus
Photographer: Ken Jones
Date of Interview: June 5, 2015
To hear the full audio of the oral history interviews visit: Scarborough Oral History Project