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Person stands at the left and looks to the right where a presentation screen is visible with the title Recipe Story: Kalbi with images and illustrations. The back of peoples' heads are seen in the foreground.

Equity Heritage Initiative

The Equity Heritage Initiative provides mentorship and paid work to emerging historians from equity-deserving communities, while supporting new programming and community partnerships.

How do we tell Toronto’s stories for the future?

The Equity Heritage Initiative is an opportunity to transform heritage work through investments in the next generation of heritage advocates. Through this initiative, emerging historians from equity-deserving communities develop the fundamental skills and experiences they need to excel in the field. Their work will connect Heritage Toronto with the communities we serve, ensuring our city’s heritage is accessible, relevant, and engaging to all Torontonians.

2025 Highlights

Last year, we undertook two special projects to grow our equity-based work.

Following the recommendations from the State of Heritage 2025 report calling for the development of fair guidelines for community partnerships in the heritage sector, we revisited our own practices. Facilitated by the Equity Heritage Initiative Coordinator, Mitchie Ding, we developed a Community Partnerships Framework for the organization.

We also partnered with the Masters of Museum Studies program at the University of Toronto on a new digital experience. Launched in May 2025, Play the City: Free the Wheel challenges us to see the sport as more than pastime by surfacing stories of resistance to racial inequality, gender norms, and homophobia, while celebrating this dynamic entertainment.

What’s next?

In 2026, staff will prioritize recommendations to fully embed equity and inclusion in community partnerships, enhancing both the impact and reach of our work.

Support the Equity Heritage Initiative

Our work is most successful when it is donor supported and driven. Please join us in building a more equitable Toronto.

Give Now

2025 Annual Report

More of the Annual Report is online!

Read it now

Heritage Toronto has supported me through all the challenges I’ve faced in the Community Partnerships Framework project, making sure I developed the necessary skills and resources. I’ve been encouraged to take ownership of my projects and seek help and advice when needed. They have given me the confidence to lead and make decisions I feel passionate about.

—Mitchie Ding

Sponsor

Take Note

Experience first hand the amazing work of the emerging historians participating in the Equity Heritage Initiative!

Details of a report cover showing image of brick wall with Indigenous symbols and people standing around. Some of the text reads: State of Heritage 2025.

Report

State of Heritage 2025: From Community Voices to Action

This report includes 15 recommendations on heritage issues and trends in the city through an equity lens.

People stand on either side of a long table at the end of which is a sign reading Share your Food Memories. One woman is seen writing or drawing on colourful materials that are placed on the table while other people talk and smile.

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North York Recipes for Healing

Meet East Asian community members who through oral histories and recipes share their culinary heritage while reflecting on recent changes to the North York neighbourhood. 

A photo of a group of four people standing on a sidewalk. There is a large red and white bus behind the group. Front left to right: person 1 in a yellow dress and headwrap, person 2 is in a blue t-shirt and holding a large white umbrella, person 3 is wearing a blue denim jacket and a face mask, person 4 is wearing a white t-shirt and speaking into a microphone.

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Living History of Little Jamaica

Discover notable Black community members from the 19th century, buried at one of the city’s oldest cemeteries, and how they contributed to our modern city.