In this section the people and organizations behind diverse leadership come to life.
What inspires individuals to lead? What supports and obstacles influence their leadership?
And what makes diverse leadership different?
Hear first-hand about the journeys and insights of diverse leaders — and learn about the strategies that organizations have used so that they can reap the benefits of a more diverse leadership.
Brandon Hay took advantage of the media training offered through DiverseCity Voices. Today, he is a go-to media source on issues related to male identity and crime in the black community.
When Louroz started the DiverseCity School4Civics program, he found a network of knowledgeable and engaged city-builders he could tap into.
Leadership is not about having an executive position or holding public office. The real meaning of leadership is contributing to your local community.
Leaders take different forms and shapes. Getting everyone involved is key to a healthy and sustainable society.
Desmond ran as a candidate for Toronto City Council in 2006 where he campaigned on extending the right to vote in municipal elections to non-citizen residents. He says that the platform came to him from residents in his riding who wanted to support him but couldn’t.
Hearing diverse stories helps us understand each other better. Diversity at the leadership table brings out different examples of how we live and shows how similar we are.
Our images of leadership do not always show the full diversity of leadership that exists. Leaders recognize they can use their public presence in order to change perceptions of who a leader is and can be.
As a talent management professional Glem Dias understands the value of networking. “DiverseCity has opened up huge opportunities and has helped me reinvent myself and raise my profile in Toronto.
Leadership is developed through practice. Believe in young leaders’ potential and give them ownership over projects. Provide the next generation with role models and leaders they can aspire to become.
“I wasn’t born into privilege. I didn’t inherit any networks,” Bilal explains. “DiverseCity Fellows fast-tracked that for me.”
