STC Mall

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is about sharing, learning, and [lifting] the diverse voices through the month and the whole year. It’s also about elevating the voices of those that have been overlooked [and] providing opportunities so my children and their friends, classmates, and other people can listen, learn, and understand more about us and themselves. “If you know whence you came, there is no limit to where you can go.” —James Baldwin, 20th-century poet, novelist, playwright, and activist.

How can we work together to create more opportunities for inclusivity within the Scarborough community?

The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for many people, and we are committed to promoting greater ethnic and racial inclusion for the [Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC)]. However, we recognize that there is still significant work required, both within IKEA and in our wider communities to achieve racial equity and justice.

I truly believe you also need to connect with the community you are in and find small ways to make changes that touch the lives of the many people that IKEA [envisions]. This involves reaching out to local schools and charities to explore avenues for assistance and support. Most importantly, it entails actively listening and learning from the community. By understanding [their] lives and values, we can gain invaluable insights into how to truly foster inclusivity.

Representation matters greatly, especially in leadership positions. How do you prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion within your team, and what strategies do you employ to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment?

Shop20’s core principles are Inclusivity, Equality, and Diversity. All our team members must genuinely align with this in their everyday lives to be able to treat all clients with these core values.

We [also] have a beautiful diversity within our [clientele], so having forthcoming conversations to ensure there is clear understanding, agreement, and genuine interest from our current and prospective team members works best. Team members who naturally share the same mission with the company make everyone within the space feel beautiful. This is key and makes our [one-of-a-kind] shopping experience [special].

How can we work together to create more opportunities for inclusivity within the Scarborough community?

We need to have conversations to heighten our awareness and understanding of the topic. We also need to encourage compassion and consideration for all aspects of the spectrum. This includes religion and beliefs, race, disabilities, age, and gender. Considering Scarborough is in [one of the] most multicultural cities in the world, inclusive of 200 ethnic groups – it’s absolutely to one’s benefit to be optimistic and adapt.

Inclusivity is a beautiful thing. It always has been and will always continue to be.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month means a celebration of our rich culture; honouring those who have paved the way while uplifting our community. Black History Month is an acknowledgment of Black Excellence — past, present, and future.

Representation matters greatly, especially in leadership positions. How do you prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion within your team, and what strategies do you employ to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment?

Awareness is key! I am very fortunate to be able to work in a place filled with so much diversity in not only its customers but with the employees as well. In my role as a leader, having an open mind to celebrate differences, as well as keeping an open dialog with transparency is important to [creating] a genuine work dynamic and a safe space at work.

Please take the opportunity to visit these stores and while also supporting Black-Owned Brands.