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Award Criteria & Nomination Process

Two community members submitting a nomination to the Viola Desmond Awards.

Nominations are now open until Monday, November 24, 2025

The deadline for submissions has been extended.
 (google form)  Nominate someone  (external link) 

Each year, awards are given to Black women and gender-diverse people connected to the university including university students, a faculty member, a staff member, an alumna, local high school students and a community leader.

Criteria for the Viola Desmond Awards 

Reference letter requirements for nominations

All nominations must include one reference letter (maximum one page) from someone who can speak to the nominee's contributions to Black communities and/or their role as an active community leader. This may include individuals who have personally benefitted from the nominee’s work. 

List of acceptable references for the respective Viola Desmond Award category: 

  • Student (undergraduate, graduate and continuing education): Letter may be from a teacher, mentor, employer (volunteer, paid work, placement), or a spiritual, faith-based or community leader
  • Faculty: Letter may be from a supervisor or manager, colleague, committee, or a student
  • Staff: Letter may be from a supervisor or manager, colleague, committee or team leader, or a student
  • Alumni: Letter may be from a former professor, mentor, or a supervisor/manager
  • TDSB (high school students): Letter may be from a teacher, mentor, guidance counsellor, school administrator, or someone who supervised a co-op or volunteer placement

Optional supporting documents

Nominators may choose to include one additional supporting document from the following options: 

  • an additional reference letter from a different referee
  • letters of recognition related to an award, honour or other formal recognition 
  • articles or media coverage about the nominee 
  • videos showcasing the nominees work 
  • links to businesses, organizations or initiatives that demonstrate the nominee’s impact 

For faculty nominations only: Nominators may also include the nominee’s academic CV and/or links to relevant publications.

Categories and eligibility

The adjudication process for the 2025 TMU student bursary award has been completed.

The Viola Desmond Student Bursary Award nominee must:

  • self-identify as a woman or gender-diverse person
  • self-identify as Black
  • be currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in an undergraduate program, graduate program or in a continuing education certificate program at TMU
  • agree to be nominated by their nominator
  • demonstrate financial need
  • be in good academic standing and has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher 
  • be a positive role model and advocate within Black communities
  • be an active leader in their community, with examples to showcase how they have made a positive difference in areas such as equity, diversity, inclusion, human rights, social justice and community development and engagement

Bursary award recipients will receive a $1000 monetary award.

The Viola Desmond Faculty Award nominee must:

  • self-identify as a woman or gender-diverse person
  • self-identify as Black
  • be currently employed as a full-time or part-time faculty at TMU
  • agree to be nominated by their nominator
  • have enriched the TMU community through initiatives that promote Black history and Black flourishing, while celebrating the diverse identities, experiences and contributions of Black communities 
  • be an active leader in their community who has made a positive difference in areas such as equity, diversity, inclusion, human rights, social justice and community-building/engagement
  • have a minimum of three years of work/volunteer background and/or activist/advocacy experience with Black communities

The TMU staff award nominee must:

  • self-identify as a woman or gender-diverse person
  • self-identify as Black
  • be currently employed as a full-time or part-time staff member at TMU
  • agree to be nominated by their nominator
  • have enriched the TMU community through initiatives that promote Black history and Black flourishing, while celebrating the diverse identities, experiences and contributions of Black communities
  • be an active leader in their community who has made a positive impact in areas such as equity, diversity, inclusion, human rights, social justice and community-building/engagement
  • have a minimum of three years of work/volunteer experience and/or advocacy towards systemic change within the TMU and/or Black communities

The Viola Desmond Alumni Award nominee must:

  • self-identify as a woman or gender-diverse person
  • self-identify as Black
  • be a graduate of TMU from any program
  • agree to be nominated by their nominator
  • have enriched the TMU community and/or the Greater Toronto Area through initiatives that promote Black history, Black flourishing, while celebrating the diverse identities, experiences and contributions of Black communities
  • be an active leader in their community, having made a meaningful and positive impact in areas such as equity, diversity, inclusion, human rights, social justice, community engagement and community-building 
  • have demonstrated, through their actions and achievements, a recognition of the value of their TMU education

This award is in partnership with the TDSB. For more information contact violadesmond@torontomu.ca.

The TDSB Student Award nominee must:

  • self-identify as a woman or gender-diverse person
  • self-identify as Black
  • be in their final year of secondary school in the Toronto District School Board
  • agree to be nominated by their nominator meet or exceed the Ontario Ministry of Education standard of good academic standing (only those students with a minimum average of 70% in 6 U/M credits or equivalent will be considered)
  • plans to attend an accredited Ontario university or community college
  • be a positive role model and advocate within Black communities
  • be an active leader in their school or broader community who has made a positive difference in areas such as equity, diversity, inclusion, human rights, social justice, community engagement and/or community-building

The selected student will receive a $500 monetary reward.

This award is in partnership with the Ted Rogers School of Management. For more information contact violadesmond@torontomu.ca.

The Viola Desmond Award for Leadership in Business nominee must:

  • self-identify as a woman or gender-diverse person
  • self-identify as Black
  • agree to be nominated by their nominator 
  • be a C-Suite executive or hold a senior leadership role and have a proven track record of professional success
  • have spearheaded new initiatives, strategies or technologies that have driven significant growth or positive change and this may include starting a successful business
  • be an active leader in their school or broader community who has used their position to mentor others 
  • have made a positive difference in areas such as equity, diversity, inclusion, human rights, social justice, community engagement and/or community-building

Questions?

Please contact the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) at violadesmond@torontomu.ca.