While Mikhail Burke was working on his undergrad, then PhD in biomedical engineering he got involved. He led the U of T chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, and he established ENGage; a STEM/Leadership camp targeting African-Canadian youth. So when he graduated, in addition to teaching engineering courses at U of T, he got more involved as the Co-Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Special Interest Group at Canadian Engineering Education Association – then was invited to become the Dean’s Advisor on Black Inclusion at University of Toronto’s, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering.

What’s a wedding photographer to do when weddings are cancelled because of a pandemic? Jess Okonski started fiddling around in a small woodshop to keep busy, learning how to make rolling pins and bowls that she gave away to friends. Soon, she started getting requests for custom pieces, so she created an online store, developed workshops and is now the founder and owner of Toronto woodwork company, This Lady Wood.