2021 VIOLA DESMOND STAFF AWARD WINNER - SHARMAINE MCKENZIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OPERATIONS - RYERSON UNIVERSITY

2021 Viola Desmond
 Staff Award Winner
Sharmaine McKenzie
Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives and Operations

Introduction
We are pleased to share the following student, faculty and staff
testimonials as well as related exhibits, which highlight Sharmaine’s
contributions to the Black community and her leadership in promoting
equity, diversity and inclusion at Ryerson University and beyond.

“Sharmaine McKenzie is an accomplished Director of Strategic
Operations. Under her leadership, Ryerson hosted the largest
and one of the most successful Congress of the Humanities and
Social Sciences gatherings in Federation history with some
10,000 participants. In addition, Sharmaine's work has been
instrumental and essential in the establishment of Ryerson's
new law school."

Kikélola Roach, BA, LLB
Unifor National Chair in Social Justice and Democracy
Ryerson University

“It is difficult to convey the amount of admiration that Sharmaine
McKenzie elicits from those who work with her. Sharmaine's work
ethic and ability to flawlessly execute every task she undertakes is
well known at Ryerson University and beyond. She exudes a calm
commitment and capability. However, it is her grace and deep
respect for others that truly strikes those who spend their days
learning from her. More importantly, she speaks about people with a
generosity that imbues the work of others with the same dignity
and intention that she brings to her own. In doing so, she
contributes to the highest ideal of the Academy.”

Sari Graben
Associate Dean, Academic, Research & Graduate Studies
Faculty of Law, Ryerson University

Exhibit A: Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences 2017

Exhibit A: Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences 2017

Exhibit A: Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences 2017

“Sharmaine has played an instrumental role in shaping Ryerson Law
and continues to do so relentlessly through her collaborative efforts
with Student Associations and Clubs, including Ryerson’s Black Law
Students’ Association (BLSA-Ryerson). As a true leader in her field, she
understands the importance of including the student voice in the
planning stages of Faculty events and genuinely cares to further
initiatives that celebrate and support the Black community. On behalf
of BLSA-Ryerson, I would also like to thank Sharmaine for being the
very first donor to contribute to the inaugural ‘BLSA Black Excellence
Award’ at Ryerson.”

Safia Thompson
Ryerson Law Student, Class of 2023
Co-President, Ryerson Black Law Students’ Association

“I have known Sharmaine since 2007 as a positive role model for
students, staff, and faculty. She strives to create positive spaces
for Ryerson’s diverse population - effectively gaining support of all
levels of Ryerson administration to promote inclusion and
belonging. As a founding member of the Ryerson Black Faculty &
Staff Community Network, she uses this platform to celebrate the
diversity of Ryerson's Faculty and Staff and created a space to
celebrate pride in the community. Finally, Sharmaine’s warm spirit
and persistence in advocating for human rights and social justice
is well recognized.”

Sonny Wong
Career Counsellor, Student Experience Centre
Faculty of Arts, Ryerson University

Exhibit B: Faculty of Arts

“A recipient of multiple university-level awards, Sharmaine is an exceptional leader who
has advanced equity and inclusion within the Ryerson community through her work and
volunteer contributions. As the Faculty of Arts Director of Operations and Strategic
Initiatives, Sharmaine supported the event planning for the annual Social Justice Week
and brought prominent Black leaders to campus, including renown philosopher and activist
Dr. Cornel West, who spoke to more than 1,000 people at the 2017 Congress of the
Humanities and Social Sciences, and Jean Augustine, Canada’s first African Canadian
female parliamentarian who joined Ryerson’s Institute for Future Legislators to share her
insights and experiences as a Black woman in politics and to teach participants about
diversity in politics. Sharmaine is a leader in mentoring Black staff. She hired and mentored
racialized staff in Arts, who continue to turn to her for support. Most notably, for five
years she helped build a support network for Black employees throughout the university
as one of the volunteer executive leads of the Ryerson Black Faculty and Staff
Community Network. An accomplished professional, leader, and positive role model,
Sharmaine reflects the qualities embodied by the Viola Desmond Award.”

Marcia Moshé
Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts

“The diversity of the support for Sharmaine’s nomination is an
indication of her leadership and community engagement. When I
worked for the Faculty of Arts, I witnessed Black students, faculty
and staff finding strength and solace from Sharmaine when they
were confronted with acts of systemic racism in the workplace. I
felt relief and trust when I would watch a Black Contract Lecturer
come to the main floor, speak with Sharmaine and then walk away
a little taller, stronger and with more confidence. Sharmaine is
extremely effective at bridging communities and understanding
multiple perspectives without shame or judgement. With
understanding and empathy, Sharmaine lifts the spirits of a variety
of members of the Ryerson community by making them feel a
sense of pride for having earned a spot on her team.”

Melissa Eluik
Administrative Coordinator, School of Urban and Regional
Planning, Ryerson University

Exhibit C: Ryerson Democracy Forums

“Sharmaine’s resolve to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion
at Ryerson Law is awe-inspiring and worthy of your recognition.
She is an exemplary leader and has been exceptionally
supportive in establishing a successful framework for BLSA-
Ryerson. Sharmaine is the epitome of Black excellence, and I am
honoured to support her nomination for the Viola Desmond
Staff Award.”

Shanelle Dover
Ryerson Law Student, Class of 2023
Co-President, Ryerson Black Law Students’ Association

“Working with Sharmaine has been one of the highlights of my career. Not only
is she a dedicated worker but she is a compassionate soul. Sharmaine was
instrumental in bringing the Law School from thoughts and dreams into reality.
Her constant work with the Dean built the school from the ground up creating
better access to a law education. The law school focuses on diversity and
inclusion for the law profession and Sharmaine brought those same principles
into the operations behind the scenes. She created a wonderful and caring work
environment where we all truly felt like a work family. She is committed to
inclusion through her work with the Black Faculty and Staff Network as well as
her day to day life. As a young Black man, Sharmaine took the time to mentor
me and helped me learn more about the university system to set me up for
future success. I never once felt my identity was in question or not valued, and
anytime conflict came up, Sharmaine would take all the steps needed for a
resolution using an Equity lens. Sharmaine Mackenzie is everything the Viola
Desmond Awards represents and I couldn't recommend a better candidate.”

Angelo Robb
Development Associate
University Advancement, Ryerson University

Exhibit D: Institute for Future Legislators at Ryerson

"Sharmaine's sense of inclusion rivals no other. She is
always keen to promote a feeling of 'belonging,
passion and diversity' amongst her team and the
community. Sharmaine embodies the term "no one
must be left behind".

Kike Kasim
Career Counsellor, Student Experience Centre
Faculty of Arts

“Sharmaine is someone that does the work. Not just the strategic, visioning and
planning work - which is so essential. But she gets her hands dirty, stays up all
hours, edits and cleans and revisits venues to make sure everything is just right.
She cares so much about the final product and never cares about the limelight nor
about credit.

Sharmaine is particularly committed to equity, diversity and inclusion - she always
suggests prolific and racialized and more specifically, Black speakers, panelists and
community members to be featured at Ryerson events. She develops meaningful
relationships with racialized community members, staff, faculty and students and
she always has time to lend an ear, help solve a problem, and guide people who
need her help.

Sharmaine is insatiably curious and always supportive of others to make sure that
the work gets done. She produces the highest quality of work and has ensured
that her events and sessions are diverse, representative, and thoughtful.”

Tanya (Toni) De Mello
Assistant Dean, Student Programming, Development and Equity
Faculty of Law, Ryerson University

Exhibit E: Special Events

Please join the Faculty of Law in
congratulating Sharmaine McKenzie
for receiving this prestigious award.

                                        ryerson.ca/law