About Us – Stephen Mensah

Meet Stephen

Stephen Mensah is the Executive Director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet (TYC), and brings a rich and diverse background to his advocacy work, shaped in part by his formative years spent in Ghana. Born in Toronto, Stephen’s trajectory took an enriching turn during high school when he spent three transformative years reconnecting with his familial roots in Ghana.

Living in Ghana provided Stephen with invaluable insights into his cultural heritage, familial connections, and societal dynamics, fueling his passion for social justice and equity. Immersed in a new environment, he deepened his understanding of global issues. This experience broadened his worldview and strengthened his sense of identity.

Upon returning to Toronto, Stephen channeled his experiences from Ghana into his advocacy efforts. As the voice of over 623,000 young Torontonians, he tirelessly advocates for a more equitable and youth-friendly city.

Under his leadership, the TYC has emerged as a powerful catalyst for change, spearheading initiatives to address pressing issues such as community safety and youth unemployment. Notable accomplishments during his tenure include securing an additional $15 million in investments for youth programs, and establishing 5 new youth hubs in Toronto.

His impact extends beyond city borders, influencing policy changes that benefit Ontario’s 2 million students. Stephen’s advocacy has resulted in significant milestones, including spearheading the introduction of free menstrual products in Ontario schools to ensure no student faces barriers to education due to menstruation. He has also been instrumental in addressing systemic racism in education, advocating for measures to combat anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism in the school system. Additionally, he has championed measures to deal with the rising youth mental health crisis such as mental health literacy and training for school staff and secured millions of additional investments to support youth mental well-being.

His dedication has earned him recognition as one of Toronto’s Rising Stars by Toronto Life Magazine. He is completing a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Politics & Governance and Criminology from Toronto Metropolitan University. Driven by a deep sense of purpose and a vision for a more just and inclusive society, Stephen Mensah continues to inspire change and build bridges of opportunity for future generations.

Stephen is also a regular media contributor speaking on Municipal and Provincial affairs and a sought-after public speaker having worked with the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, University of Toronto and many more.

He is a former Councillor Aide in the Office of Toronto Mayor John Tory where he supported the Mayor on his youth portfolio advancing the interests of equity-deserving young people at Toronto City Council. Witnessing firsthand how equity-deserving communities experience systemic and social barriers, Stephen has firmly committed himself to being an advocate for change and the voice of youth.

Throughout his advocacy endeavours Stephen has skillfully forged partnerships and mobilized collective action among a myriad of national and provincial stakeholders. He has led multiple historic joint statement releases with national and provincial organizations such as CAMH, Breakfast Club of Canada, Ontario Human Rights Commission, Toronto District School Board, Daily Bread Food Bank, Wellesley Institute, and numerous others, joining him to rally behind a common goal: to advocate for the necessary resources and support systems to enable young people to thrive and achieve their utmost potential.

Advocacy Statements

Promoting Menstrual Equity Joint Statement
Tackling Anti-Black and Anti-Indigenous Racism Joint Statement
Addressing Rising Student Mental Health Crisis Joint Statement
Addressing Rising Food-Insecurity Joint Statement
TYC - TDSB - TCDSB Joint Statement Advocating for a Youth-Friendly City Budget

Accomplishments and Awards

Toronto Life - Rising Star

Stephen was recognized as one of the Rising Stars for 2023 – as part of Toronto Life’s 50 Most Influential Torontonians list.

He was recognized due to his effective advocacy for children and youth more specifically “Because he’s making sure the kids are all right”.

Promoting Menstrual Equity Advocacy

Stephen successfully led the charge to push for free menstrual products in all Ontario Schools. His efforts to tackle period poverty have been well regarded by individuals across the province.

Addressing Rising Mental Health Crisis Advocacy

Stephen’s advocacy efforts have been instrumental in addressing the rising mental health crisis among youth. His work has led to mandatory mental health literacy in the curriculum, mandatory mental health training for all school staff and $150 million in additional funding for student mental health.

Tackling Anti-Black Racism Advocacy

Stephen played a pivotal role in advocating for tangible actions to tackle systemic racism within Ontario’s education system.

His work led to de-streaming in the curriculum, expedited collection of disaggregated race-based data by all 72 school boards and so much more!

Addressing Rising Food-Insecurity Advocacy

Stephen’s advocacy led to the Ontario Government investing an additional $15 million to Student Nutrition Programs, representing the first significant increase in funding for the program in a decade.

City of Toronto Budget Advocacy

Stephen spearheaded efforts to advocate for a more youth-friendly City Budget. He brought together the TDSB and TCDSB to support his cause leading to additional funding for youth hubs, Youth Violence Prevention Grants, increased youth employment opportunities and more

Community Initiatives

Remembrance Day

For four consecutive years, Stephen laid a wreath on behalf of the “Youth of Toronto” and recited the poem “Commitment to Remember” in both French and English at the City of Toronto’s Remembrance Day service. This marked the first occurrence of such participation.

Back To School

Recognizing the pandemic’s negative impact on youth, including impacts on education. For three consecutive years Stephen organized givebacks benefitting 7,000 youth and their families in 15 equity-deserving communities across Toronto to provide youth with the tools they’ll need to thrive and reach their full individual potential.

Black Youth Gala

In 2022 Stephen organized Toronto’s inaugural Black Youth Gala to honour and celebrate Black youth, whose accomplishments and contributions in shaping the City often goes unrecognized. Over 200 youth, dignitaries and community partners attended this celebratory event.

Book Giveaway

Stephen spearheaded a Book Giveaway initiative with the initial goal of distributing 4,000 books to students throughout Toronto within a year. Surpassing this target, he provided over 7,000 books. Securing the support of Scholastic and Grand and Toy. He sought to ensure that Black children saw themselves represented and positively affirmed in the books they read.

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