Haviah Mighty didn’t need to change her birth name when she decided to dedicate her career to music. Mighty could not better describe Haviah’s craft of provocative challenges and uncompromising truths. Based out of Brampton via Toronto, Haviah has spent a lifetime developing her skills as a songwriter, vocalist, producer, and performer, culminating in a style of profound introspection and incisive socio-political critique. Her dynamic combinations of rap, song, and instrumental transition seamlessly from hip-hop to soul to afrobeats with a meticulous flow and cadence that transcends any traditional expectation of genre. 2019 saw Haviah earn break-out success with her album, 13th Floor, making her the first hip-hop artist and the first Black woman to win the Polaris Music Prize, celebrating the “Best Canadian Album of the Year” - but Mighty didn’t stop there. With her JUNO Award-winning mixtape, Stock Exchange (Nov. 2021), Haviah made history once again as the first woman to ever win within the Rap Album of the Year category. Most recently, Haviah was the only Canadian nominee at the 2022 BET Hip-Hop Awards within the 'Best International Flow' category. Recognition has spread internationally, garnering praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, GRM Daily, FADER, Hot New Hip Hop, and so many more. In November of 2023 Haviah was featured on the viral song Trendsetter by Connor Price. The song to date has amassed more than 36 million streams world wide. In May of 2024 Haviah embarked on a European tour, with a couple dates in the Uk, Denmark, Ireland, Germany and Prague supporting Shabazz Palaces. In August of 2024 Haviah's single Double the Fun single/video was released to Global Support by Spotify. Haviah made more noise by hosting and performing in the first ever first ever Billboard Canada Women in Music in September of 2024. From performance invitations by massive European tastemaker, COLORSxSTUDIOS, to BBC 1’s Jack Saunders proclaiming “I just cannot find anything as good as Haviah Mighty”, to crushing the 5 Fingers of Death on the legendary show, Sway in the Morning - and being invited to do it again September 2023 - Haviah Mighty is unstoppable. Mighty pushes forward continuing to carve out spaces that boldly defy gendered expectations for women in hiphop. Unyielding and irresistible – Haviah Mighty will be heard.
Liana Lewis, a Canadian performer hailing from Calgary, Alberta, embodies the essence of artistic expression. From a young age, Liana’s journey into the world of arts commenced with piano lessons at the tender age of three, under the tutelage of the esteemed non-profit institution, The Suzuki Talent Education Society in Calgary. Infused with the Suzuki method’s ethos of fostering not just musical proficiency but also character virtues such as perseverance, patience, and respect, Liana’s passion flourished. Her ardor for the arts evolved to encompass diverse forms. At six, Liana’s exploration of dance was ignited at Premiere Dance Academy, where she embraced Jazz, Ballet (RAD), Tap, and Modern disciplines. Excelling in regional competitions showcased her remarkable dedication and skill. Yet, Liana’s talents stretched further – her love for singing and acting was equally profound. Following high school, Liana embarked on a journey to Toronto, propelled by her aspiration to become a Triple Threat Performer. Auditioning and enrolling at the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, she honed her talents in acting, singing, and dance over a rigorous two-year program. Toronto’s prominent choreographers soon recognized her talents, granting her opportunities to grace stages across the nation. Over the past decade, Liana has carved a niche in the realm of Burlesque, adopting the captivating persona of Petra Queen of the Nile. Beyond her stage presence, she champions body empowerment as a movement instructor, offering healing through dance and inspiring individuals to embrace their authentic selves with every confident step. @lianalewis @petraqueenofthenile
Toronto born, Jamaican-Trinidadian artist & mother, Sydanie is levelling all expectations and setting the bar at a new height for women in the Toronto hip-hop scene. Not confined to the restrictions that any genre could impose on her creativity, sydanie is an artist creating a diverse array of texturized and unique, synth-driven sounds, unapologetically carrying her neighbourhood of south side Jane with her everywhere she goes. Her impeccable production treatments run the spectrum from house to ambient trap and her nuanced sounds lay the foundations for Sydanie to unpack her lyrical fireworks. Ranging from meditative to incendiary, her verses transmit a contagious momentum that results in seriously deep thrills for listeners. Following features on the Strombo Show and The Fader, the 2019 Polaris prize long-lister and self-proclaimed supernatural rapper has gone on to relaunch the MOCHA Project; her grassroots community arts project for mothers of colour, with the launch of her successful back-to-school community event, The Reading Salon. Sydanie is set to release her awaited LP, Eclectic Circus, Spring 2025.
Pogi, aka Call Me Pogi, is a seasoned DJ, MC, and Director of Experience & Music Curation at Oldowan Co., crafting immersive soundscapes that foster connection and amplify marginalized voices. Originally from Bermuda, Pogi began their career over a decade ago before making their mark in Toronto’s vibrant music scene. A proud member of Go Hard Entertainment, founded by Pioneer DJ, DJ Blackcat, Pogi has electrified stages at Pride Toronto events like Blockorama, Till Sunset, and the Opening Ceremonies: TD Main Stage, as well as renowned 2SLGBTQ+ party collectives such as Smoked, Gyal Segment, Blackness Yes, and Fomo. With a focus on queer-centric events, Pogi’s versatile sets seamlessly blend house, amapiano, dancehall, soca, afrobeats, hip hop, and RnB, captivating audiences at grassroots parties, large-scale festivals, and corporate gatherings alike. Their experience spans high-profile events like The Ruby Gala 2023 for Friends of Ruby, Pride Toronto’s Parade Float, and Bermuda Pride, with collaborations across organizations such as George Brown College, Let’s Stop AIDS, Sketch Toronto, and more. Beyond the stage, Pogi’s background as a former radio host adds a unique edge, bringing expertise in radio software, recording, and interviewing — further enriching their artistry and professionalism as an event curator. Whether commanding a festival crowd or setting the tone for a corporate affair, Pogi, aka Call Me Pogi, designs unforgettable journeys through sound, leaving every audience energized and connected.
N’nerjie is a queer R&B/Soul singer-songwriter from Toronto, now based in Ottawa. She’s been releasing music since 2017, beginning with her debut EP “Internal Dialogue” and continuing with several standout singles. In 2024, she won Songwriter of the Year at the Capital Music Awards for her original track “Tug of War” and performed at NXNE, one of Toronto’s major music festivals. With a background in performing arts, N’nerjie centers storytelling, emotion, and truth in everything she creates. Inspired by different eras of music, her raw vocals and honest perspective make her truly one of a kind, creating a sound that feels like something you’ve always known but are hearing for the first time.
Cat Zaddy is a Toronto-born, Montreal-based burlesque artist known for captivating audiences with her infectious high energy. She weaves in her experiences in pole dance, afro, and samba wherever she can to create a vibrant celebration of liberation on stage.? Cat has made waves on festival stages worldwide from Vancouver to Seattle, New Orleans to the Netherlands! In 2023 she claimed a title as second runner up at the Panama Burlesque Festival and most recently was a featured performer in the 2025 Movers, Shakers & Innovators showcase at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.
Having circulated the Canadian club scene for a number of years, performing at some of the most culturally relevant events like Moonshine, YYY, Bambii’s JERK, and Pep Rally, Toronto based DJ & radio show host Ace Dillinger is known for seamlessly blending nostalgic favourites with their own unique Club, Global, and House finds. Ace is the perfect example of how exploratory their sound is while still expressing what it means to be a Toronto native. Most recently been asked to open for artist like Sango and Tinashe, not to mention Ace was chosen to open for the Beyonce during her Renaissance World Tour. Being able to showcase her sound on such stage is a huge milestone in her career.
If you don’t already know, REDLINERS are a force to be reckoned with. Toronto underdogs Jelz & PLAYGIRL come together to serve hypnotic, memorable blends while effortlessly mixing the old with the new. Flaunting their own spin on club and electronic music, the duo crushes genre borders and takes listeners by storm increasingly with every set.
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Pronouns: He/ Him /His
Biography:
Victor Perez-Amado is an Assistant Professor (tenure track) at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Urban and Regional Planning. Perez-Amado grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and lived in Miami and Boston before settling in Toronto. He is trained as an architect and urban designer, graduating from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and the University of Florida.
His academic research centres on aging-in-place studies and multigenerational housing, including in 2SLGBTQI+ communities. These projects include Aging Together and Queering Home, a partnership with Egale-Canada. Before joining TMU, he worked on various masterplans and designs for independent and assisted living, focusing on seniors with dementia and autism in Boston. On another scale of engagement with the city, Perez-Amado is interested in activating public spaces by designing and building interactive and educational installations in the public realm. His methodology is based on theories of placemaking, where he explores prototyping, visualization, activation, and community engagement. These include installations along King Street West, Ontario Place, Winter Stations in the Beaches, and Toronto Climate Action public parks. His work has been exhibited at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, the World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park, and the Harvard GSD Grounded Visionaries, among others.
Biography:
Born in Mexico and a refugee in Canada, Viviana Santibañez is a strong community leader working with marginalized communities for over 12 years,
focusing on supporting and advocating for Latinxs living with HIV and 2SLGBTQ+ Latinos refugees. She is also the first Latina woman appointed to the board of directors of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network.
Viviana Santibanez is the founder and director of Vivi’r, a non-profit organization that helps and supports 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants, newcomers, and refugee Latinxs.Viviana connects with the community and refers people to social, legal, and health, running all these services with zero budget. She provides services for non-profit organizations such as Latinos Positivos Toronto, Toronto People Living with AIDS Foundation, Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council, Canada Trans Summit, and Ontario Cohort Studies. Viviana’s work incentivizing the LGBTQ+ community in Latino/Hispanic events has led to work with different communities, institutions, and organizations the support the integration of Latinx to Canada.
Viviana has a background in community health, nursing, community capacity building, and digital communications – She graduated as an Immigration
Consultant and assisted her community at no cost.
Multifaceted, she also represented Canada internationally, bringing the first-ever International Trans pageant title to Canada, where she competed in a trans-advocacy pageant that helped to inspire and empower trans women around the world. She is the first Latina awarded the Inspire LGBTQ Person of the Year in September 2022 by Inspire Awards. She has been recognized as among the 10 most influential Hispanic Canadians since 2022.
Biography:
I am a world majority, Brown, Carib-Indigenous , trini, Indo, Chinese, callaloo, differently-abled, Jurassic and Bionic DYKE, Rainbow Senior/Elder.
Currently: a co-chair of the board of Pride Toronto, the Toronto Senior Pride Network, the board of ODLAN (Ontario Digital Literacy Access Network), trainer with The 519, the Liaison Committee of the ministry of seniors and accessibility, the VHA (Visiting Homemaker’s Association) Pride Working Group, Sinai Health System “Pride is good for your health” committee, a co-facilitator of the Youth/Elders Program of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, a volunteer at Hennick Bridgepoint rehab hospital, a member of True Davidson Acres LTC GSA (gender sexuality alliance), the city of Toronto SSLTC Working Group – developed “Leading and Learning with Pride – A Tool Kit to Support 2SLGBTQI+ SENIORS” (launched June 24/2022) and a co-author of the 2SLGBTQI Best Practice Guidelines of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. Effective November 2023, a member of the Fabulous Stories Project for The Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity – developing Queer Curriculum for high schools and a consultant for The Canada Senior Pride Network.
Humble and privileged recipient of the 2019 Inspire Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2021 Community One Foundation Steinert & Ferreiro Award and the 2023 Jill Andrew (NDP – MPP, Ontario) Community Hero Award.
Featured in the videos “Out At Home”, “The Journey of My Strong Brown Trini Carib Callaloo Dyke Body” – 2016. In 2023, feature length documentary “Supporting Our Selves” from The Community One Foundation.
Honoured DYKE Ambassador and Honoured Rainbow Senior Ambassador – PRIDE TORONTO – 2022
I am an educator, accessibility/accommodation consultant, story teller, sometime actor and a respectful troublemaker, disruptor, infiltrator and agitator 😈.
I live and work from an anti-oppression, anti-racism, Truth and Reconciliation, intergenerational and intersectional perspective. I advocate for Two Spirit, Indigenous, queer and transgender rainbow 🌈 seniors and youth of colour.
I enjoy doubles, dancing, dim sum, a cold beverage and a “trini lime “ anytime.
My EXISTENCE is my RESISTANCE!! Website – lezlieoutofthecloset.com
Biography:
Anmol Budhiraja, a 26-year-old resident of Toronto, ON, is a dynamic individual with a diverse background and a deep commitment to fostering inclusivity. Originally from Jalandhar, Punjab, India, Anmol embarked on a transformative journey to Canada in 2016, initially as a student and now as a settler on the turtle island, proudly calling Toronto home.
As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Anmol actively contributes to community welfare as a Crisis Response Specialist at 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations. This role has provided them with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by the Two-Spirit, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+ community, driving their passion for addressing these issues.
Anmol’s professional journey includes impactful roles as an Executive Assistant, showcasing expertise in grant writing, fundraising, and policy advocacy. Having completed a Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences, Honours Health Studies at the University of Waterloo, Anmol’s dedication to community engagement is evident through their role as a Teaching Assistant.
Beyond their professional and educational pursuits, Anmol’s interests encompass cultural competency, leadership, and continuous learning. Proficient in various tools, from Microsoft Office to Google applications, they bring a tech-savvy approach to their endeavors. Anmol’s diverse background, coupled with a strong commitment to community, positions them as an advocate for positive change, actively contributing to fostering inclusive environments and advancing social causes.
