This event is proudly hosted by the Centre for Student Engagement, Alumni Relations, and the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union, with the generous support and sponsorship of the University of Toronto’s Affinity Partners, Manulife and TD Insurance. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the following departments and student groups for their contributions and collaboration in making this event happen:
- Career Centre
- Caribbean Connections
- Black Students’ Association (BSA)
- African Students’ Association (ASA)
- U of T Black Alumni Association (UTBAA)
- Black @ UTM
- Black Literature and Arts Club
- Black Future Lawyers
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
Location: Blind Duck Pub, UTM
Food and beverages will be provided
Join us for A Different World: Transitioning into University, an event designed to support Black-identifying students, and recent alumni as they navigate the early stages of university and explore future career paths.
Through a moderated alumni panel and interactive networking, students and recent graduates will hear from Black UTM alumni who will share their personal journeys through university, reflect on key moments of growth, and offer guidance on navigating academic and career paths while affirming and celebrating their Black identity.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect directly with alumni panelists in a fun, Jeopardy-style networking activity that encourages dialogue and community building.
Through this experience, participants will:
- Gain insight into the transition to and through university from Black alumni
- Learn how to build connections that support academic and professional success
- Begin identifying early career interests and pathways
- Ask questions in a safe and welcoming space
Please note that this event is directed to self-identifying Black students and recent alumni to collectively create a space that enhances the Black experience at UTM and strengthens community connections, but all are welcome to attend.
Panelists & Moderator
Chris Thompson (HBA '12 UTM)
Founder and Executive Director, Skills For Life Inc.
Executive Director, Federation of Black Canadians
Chris is passionate about empowering people and creating meaningful impact. He’s driven to foster growth and build safe, productive environments for others and for himself.
As a social entrepreneur, Chris founded Skills for Life, a non-profit organization that helps youth prepare for real-world success by teaching essential life skills.
He also serves as the Executive Director of the Federation of Black Canadians, a national non-profit that advances the social, economic, political and cultural interests of Canadians of African descent. In addition, he founded Chris’ Consulting Group to support non-profits in adapting and building for long-term success.
At UTM, Chris studied political science and criminology. He was active in student life representing students as the UTMSU president, VP Finance for Caribbean Connections and Director of Intramurals for the UTM Athletic Association. Since graduating, Chris has remained deeply connected with UTM, serving as the President of the UTM Alumni Association and regularly volunteering as an alumni speaker and mentor to support student success. Recently, he was selected to join the U of T Alumni Association as a board member to continue representing the interests of UTM alumni.
Hassan Manjang (HBA '21 UTM)
Co-Founder, AutoGenius
Hassan co-founded AutoGenius, a software development company that helps traditional businesses own their digital presence and modernize fast without hiring developers or overhauling their systems.
Being a passionate corporate sales and account management professional and an enthusiast in technology, Hassan leverages his sales skill set and pairs it with his business & technology acumen to continue to build his business whilst simultaneously climbing up the corporate ladder.
Hassan is a global citizen, having lived in 11 countries (so far) which has provided him with sound cross-cultural skills to network and succeed in a diverse modern society. He is also an avid basketball fanatic with experience playing at the high school, college/university and professional levels!
Hassan studied Political Science, Sociology, and Canadian Studies at UTM and is a member of U of T’s Black Alumni Association.
Mohamed Sidibé (BCom '16 UTM)
Equity Research Analyst, National Bank Financial
Mohamed Sidibé is a Certified Professional Accountant who works as an Equity Research Analyst at National Bank Financial. With several years of experience in Audit and Capital Markets, he updates financial models to develop investment recommendations.
Mohamed joined the UTM Alumni Association board of directors in 2024, bringing a wealth of experiences, including serving as an alumni mentor in several mentorship programs, an alumni panelist for the UTM Black Excellence Orientation, a case competition judge for UTM’s annual Ready, Set, Market event, and a volunteer with Rotman Commerce Capital Markets Night.
Mohamed came to Canada as an international student after having lived in four different countries in Africa. He pursued accounting at UTM to better understand the language of business and to give him the opportunity to work in any industry of his liking. During his time at UTM, Mohamed held leadership roles as President of the Undergraduate Commerce Society and a Teaching Assistant for Business Finance.
His commitment to volunteering extends into his professional career. Mohamed actively participates in various events, demonstrating his dedication to community engagement.
Story: uoft.me/bPk
Mya Moniz (HBA ‘23 UTM)
Student, Master of Arts, Adult Education and Community Development, OISE
Mya is a first-year student in the Master of Arts program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where she focuses on adult education and community development.
Writing has always been a central part of Mya’s life. Through the Professional Writing & Communication program at UTM, she found a powerful outlet to reflect on her childhood experiences in the Ontario child welfare system and discover the power of healing that comes from writing.
Her passion for writing has also become a catalyst for change. Mya has championed initiatives that amplify marginalized voices, serving as a Peer Support Worker, leading youth writing programs, and hosting the Homelessness in Hiding podcast at the Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition Centres (REST), a BIPOC-serving non-profit organization in the Region of Peel. Currently, she is a program facilitator with the Writer’s Collective of Canada (WCC), an arts-health charity that brings free, transformative creative writing workshops to the community.
While at UTM, Mya also studied English and Sociology. She co-founded “Literature is ALIVE!” with a group of peers, organizing a series of events sponsored by the English and drama department that brought together students and professors for lively discussions on the scope and relevance of English studies.
Story: uoft.me/bPh
Ruth Alemayeuhu, (HBSc '24 UTM)
Master of Science Student, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, U of T
Ruth recently commenced her Master of Science in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at U of T, where her thesis will focus on health systems research with an emphasis on health policy.
At UTM, Ruth studied biology and neuroscience and was highly engaged in student life, serving in leadership positions with various student groups.
Story: uoft.me/bPB
Tobi Mohammed (HBSc '23 UTM; MSc '24 McMaster)
Clinical Research Assistant, Hamilton Health Sciences
PhD Student, Global Health, McMaster University
Tobi Mohammed is an emerging young professional who is enthusiastic about further exploring her passion through research in the areas of equity conceptualization and measurement, technology transfer in health systems, and non-communicable diseases in LMICs. Tobi was also an oral presenter at the 2024 Canadian Conference on Global Health where she discussed her master's research findings and critical narrative review.
She works as a clinical research assistant at McMaster Children's Hospital in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She also completed a semester abroad in the Netherlands at Maastricht University specializing in Implementing Innovations on a Global Scale. Her team won first place in their program's innovation pitch competition with a product aimed to reduce alcohol abuse and waste generation globally.
Tobi holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto specializing in Biology for Health Sciences and double minoring in Psychology and Biomedical Communications. Throughout her undergraduate career, she was committed to creating brave spaces for minority students through mentoring (SEE@UTM), teaching assistantships, Residence Don, UTM Black Art steering committee member, African Students Association, and volunteering.
In September 2025, she commenced her PhD in the Global Health program at McMaster University where she is committed to advancing equity in health systems both locally in Canada and globally. Her doctoral research focuses on evaluating complex public health interventions for immigrant families, particularly through a process evaluation of the SCORE! project aimed at improving healthy active living among newcomer children in Hamilton, Ontario.
Story: uoft.me/bPl
Sponsors
This event is proudly sponsored by the University of Toronto's Affinity Partners, Manulife and TD Insurance:
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Discover the benefits of affinity products: affinity.utoronto.ca