Journalism student wins 2024 Viola Desmond TMU Student Award

At the 16th Annual Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Journalism student Cris Nippard accepted the 2024 Viola Desmond TMU Student Award.

“It made me feel like my hard work in the program and within my communities had been strong enough to be noticed by others...Being thought of by Michael was an extremely pleasant surprise, and I’m super grateful to have been his first choice!” Nippard said. 

Nippard’s name was put forward by Michael Turco, manager of operations, administration, & equity at the School of Journalism.

This award was a full circle moment for Nippard.

“Viola Desmond has always had a strange impact in my life. As one of the only Black AFAB (Assigned Female At Birth) people at my elementary school growing up, every year I was asked to read the slide on Viola Desmond for the Black History Month presentation,” they said. “Despite clearly being typecast for this, year after year I found myself admiring her and the strong Black women that came before me even more.”

The  Viola Desmond Awards highlight outstanding Black women and gender-diverse people at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) who strive to create meaningful change and impact the community through their creativity, passion and hard work.

Since Oct. 2023, Nippard has worked as the programming and outreach lead for the TMSU Queer Space (external link) .

Nippard is able to connect with 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and groups both inside and outside of TMU. They help plan events, campaigns and resources to support all queer and Trans undergraduates at the University.

“I am super grateful to continue to be in this role and be able to bring an intersectional perspective to a historically white and cis dominated space, as well as connect with the community.”

They shared that a great way to get involved in community work is to simply listen to the needs of your communities and be there to support in any way you can.

Journalism student and City of Toronto's Youth Poet Laureate, Shahaddah Jack performed a poem about the strength of women at the ceremony as well and Donette Chin-Loy Chang (Journalism `78), the new chancellor of TMU, spoke about the knowledge passed between generations of women.

For those interested in applying to the award in the future, Nippard said to “...do your best to do work with your communities, bring passion into your work and remember the importance of the work that so many strong Black women have done before us.”