OUR
TEAM
Ubuntu is a collective of Black Trans, Non-binary and Gender Diverse people devoted to the prosperity of the Black Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Diverse community.
Meet Our Team
Get to know the passionate individuals behind Ubuntu Black Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Collective. Each member brings a unique perspective and dedication to our mission of inclusivity and empowerment.
TEAM BIOS
Stévia
Sheldon Mills
Program Facilitator
Stévia (Stay-Vee-Uh) has worked in advocacy for over 13 years. His passion, coupled with his background in Sociology, Mental Health and Education, led to the founding of the first holistic educational charity in his home country. He worked tirelessly in the fight for human rights and equality in LGBTQ+, youth and education, before being forced to seek asylum in 2018. Since moving to Tkaronto, his work with his community has continued, focused on intersectionality of African, Caribbean, and Black people living with disabilities, Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse people, newcomers, and people who use drugs. His commitment to equity for all Black lives lead to the founding of Ubuntu Black Trans+ Collective. Stévia dedicates his time to creating and facilitating programs for, and helping Black Trans+ people, access programs and services related to their social, physical and mental wellbeing.
Operations Director
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Sheldon Mills is a distinguished member of the community renowned for his extensive advocacy and support within marginalized communities. With over a decade of dedicated service, Sheldon has focused his efforts on enhancing the lives of African, Caribbean, and Black individuals living with disabilities. His compassionate approach extends to empowering Trans, Non-Binary, newcomers, HIV positive individuals, sex workers, and substance users. Sheldon's academic background in Immigration and Mental Health has profoundly shaped his professional journey. His studies provided a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of migration and the mental health challenges faced by diverse communities. Armed with this knowledge, Sheldon has been at the forefront of developing inclusive programs and advocating for equitable access to healthcare, legal protections, and social services. Throughout his career, Sheldon has demonstrated exemplary leadership within community organizations and social service agencies. His strategic initiatives and collaborative partnerships have led to significant advancements in policy reform and the implementation of supportive frameworks for marginalized populations. Sheldon's commitment to social justice is evident in his efforts to dismantle barriers and promote systemic change that fosters inclusivity and respect for all individuals. As the Operation Director of Ubuntu, Sheldon continues to drive impactful initiatives that prioritize the needs and rights of underserved communities. His unwavering dedication to advocacy and empowerment underscores his role as a catalyst for positive transformation, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and supported on a broader societal scale.
Sunshine Johnson
Tru Stewart
Community Advisor
Sunshine Johnson (He/him) is a Black, queer, disabled trans person of mixed Afro-Caribbean and European ancestry. For the past decade, he has been residing on the unceded lands known as Tkaronto (commonly referred to as Toronto). Sunshine engages with the community in various roles, including as an artist, facilitator, advisor, and advocate for community care. His work is driven by a passion for dismantling oppressive practices within wellness, community, and care systems. Sunshine envisions a world where everyone's needs are met—a world that abolishes systems of violence in favor of creating systems of care, grounded in the love, power and solidarity of the people.
Program Coordinator
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Tru Stewart (he/him/they/them) A multidisciplinary artist, social entrepreneur and the founder of The Eccentric 1 Entertainment, Edutainment, Creative Productions, Research and Consultations. A social enterprise partnering with various organizations and institutions to create “A Vibe and A Higher Vibration”. Tru is an ambassador for Rainbow Railroad, the organization that helped him to seek refuge from Jamaica to Canada due to homophobic laws in his homeland. As a multidisciplinary artist, organizer and community builder, Tru uses artistic expressions, lived experiences and education to offer consultation, peer support, curate and facilitate various educational workshops and programs. Which intentionally aims to illuminate consciousness, as well as reconstruct the constitutions that harms, divides and oppresses the Black and LGBTQI+ communities. Tru has worked with nonprofit organizations such as YWCA, Meet the Motivators, Rainbow Railroad, Wildfire, The Enchanté Network, Black Mental Health Connections Montreal, Collingwood pride, People With AIDS and UPlift Black. He has also collaborated with institutions and companies, such as Georgian College Barrie Ontario, Innisfil library and idea lab, City of Barrie and Honda Canada. Currently, he is contracted as the Program Coordinator for Ubuntu Black Trans, Non Binary and Gender Diverse Collective.
A Social justice and mental health advocate, Tru is committed to using his wealth of knowledge, skills and talents to aid the evolution of more inclusive and equitable spaces, communities, towns and cities.