Office of the Chief Executive

Honouring Black History Month

As CEO, it’s important to me that diversity, equity and inclusion continue to be top priorities for the organization – not just because of the diverse customer base we serve, but also because it is the right thing to do. Growing up in Boston in the 1970s and 80s, I saw time and time again the pain and harm that systemic racism inflicts on a community. I’ve made it a mission of mine to do everything I can to create a transit system that is free from discrimination, racism and hate. A place where each of our employees and customers are treated with respect and feel comfortable to be who they are – whether they’re riding one of our vehicles or seeking a new career opportunity within the organization.

For the second year in a row, MyTTC | Weekly has been transformed into a dedicated issue in honour of Black History Month. This week, you’ll find a recap of many of the events, initiatives and programs that took place throughout the month of February. I’m incredibly proud to see the level of participation from employees on this important initiative.

At local divisions and workplaces, employees volunteered their time to put together displays and resources to help educate their peers and celebrate Black Canadians and communities. We also had the privilege of sharing the experiences and accomplishments of some of the TTC’s Black employees, and their thoughts on what Black History Month and inclusion means to them.

Throughout the city, we celebrated Black History Month by shining a spotlight on the work of eight local Black artists. These artists, selected from the City’s StreetARToronto (StART) Program, had their work prominently featured across the system, on wrapped buses and streetcars, as well as print advertisements on vehicles and in stations, in social media posts, and in all the divisions.

While we know there is still work to be done, we have made great strides in the last year to transform the culture of the TTC. Our work on Black History Month is part of our journey to build a more inclusive organization – to create real, lasting and meaningful change to make the TTC a safe, welcoming place for customers and employees. I’m committed to making that vision a reality, and I can tell you, our work extends well beyond February.

Throughout the year, we’ll be working hard on equity and inclusion initiatives to strengthen our relationships with our employees and the communities we serve. We know that anti-Black racism and inequity continue to be very real problems and we remain committed to our Anti-Racism Strategy. I look forward to continuing this work with you all as we continue to develop important programs and initiatives to address racism and discrimination. Together, we must build a more equitable and inclusive TTC.

I hope you will enjoy this issue and will be as encouraged as I am that change is happening.

Stay safe.

Richard J. Leary
Chief Executive Officer
February 25, 2022