Generations of success: A family’s TMU journey

When Morayo Aladejana crossed the stage at Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) convocation ceremony this past spring, her mother Kemi Sanusi was beaming with pride. Not only was her daughter receiving her Biomedical Science degree (’23), but she was also continuing her family’s legacy with the school.

Twenty years earlier, Sanusi had also walked across the convocation stage, receiving her degree in Business Management (’03). “I went to TMU because of the opportunities that would be available to me by attending a university located in downtown Toronto since I was a first-generation student attending school in Canada,” she explains. 

“I had an amazing experience going to school here,” Sanusi adds. “I got to connect with so many professors and peers, some of which have turned into long-lasting connections.” Her younger brother, Ayodeji, also went to TMU years later and received a Master of Engineering degree (’16).

Sanusi, who is currently the CEO and founder of Community Access Learning Centre (external link, opens in new window)  and Community Access Staffing Solutions, says that without the knowledge she gained from TMU, she wouldn’t be where she is today. “The Business in Human Resources program allowed me to create a solid foundation that set me up for success when gaining valuable career opportunities and starting my own business,” she points out.

So when her daughter was applying to universities and came to her for advice and guidance, Sanusi recommended TMU because it had a welcoming and diverse community and also offered many opportunities. 

Aladejana is grateful for all of the experiences she had at the school. “I had the pleasure of volunteering in research, being on the track and field team and serving as an executive on my program course union,” she says. “I also had the opportunity to work for big companies such as Sunnybrook Hospital and get involved within my community.” 

“It feels amazing to have been able to attend the same school as my mom and continue the family legacy,” adds Aladejana. “I had such a great experience at TMU, and I am so glad that I got to experience what shaped my mom into the person that she is and that contributed to her career success.”

In addition to convocation, Aladejana was also able to celebrate her academic achievement with her mother at the Black Excellence Graduation Celebration (opens in new window)  in June. The event, now in its fourth year, brought together more than 200 Black graduating students as well as members of the community who supported them throughout their academic journey.

“It was an honour to be able to attend this celebration because such an event celebrating Black Excellence did not take place when I graduated 20 years ago,” Sanusi says. 

Aladejana adds,“It was very moving getting to experience the ceremony myself and with my mom for this reason.”

While Aladejana may have left TMU, the family legacy at the school continues as Sanusi’s second daughter, Motayo, is currently completing her degree at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing. As a proud mother and proud TMU alumna, Sanusi says, “It means everything to have family ties to an amazing school that continues to foster my family’s success and growth.”