Why an Advisory Committee?

Accountability to diverse groups of youth is central to this project. Our Advisory Committee ensures that our partnership work is grounded in young peoples’ needs and perceptions.

To encourage respectful engagement, we are committed to implementing the highly successful approach of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (one of our community partners) and the Youth Services Bureau in setting out some guiding intentions for engaging Advisory Committee members:

Youth Engagement is not a program: Youth engagement should be viewed as a philosophy and natural way of working in the organization rather than as a special program.

Contributions match the project goals: Young people and adults who are working with us should be recruited for their knowledge, skills, interests and commitment to the organizational mission.

One person cannot represent many: A young person should not be considered “the youth voice” at the table – it should be acknowledged that everyone at the table brings different perspectives to the issue.

Debate as a learning tool: Debate is a key element of personal and organizational growth. Our youth engagement process is dedicated to learning and growing and being flexible and adaptable throughout this process.


Meet our Youth Advisory Committee:

Advisory Committee members are asked to commit to participating in four one-hour tele-meetings throughout the year, to provide feedback on the research and outreach activities associated with the project.  YAC members also join us for our annual project team meetings and any other special events and workshops organized by the project.

Currently, we have six YAC members associated with The eQuality Project. Additional information about these members and their skillsets and experiences is located below.


Grace Foran

University of Ottawa

Grace is an MA student studying Criminology with a specialization in Women’s Studies at the University of Ottawa, she also holds a Joint Honours BSocSc in Criminology and Women’s Studies. Her MA explores the tenets of Queer Criminology. Grace is excited to be working with Professor Steeves, and is grateful for the opportunity to work with The eQuality Project.


Christine Moreau

Christine is currently completing her honours thesis in Sociology at Acadia University. Her research interests include rural studies, queer studies, and social theory.  She strongly believes in the power of the internet as a space for youth to create transformative communities.  She has previously worked as a research assistant on a project that investigated resiliency building among rural girls of Nova Scotia. In her spare time, she hosts a radio show called “Equalizer” on campus at Acadia, actively participates in queer student organizing, and does presentations on healthy sex and sexuality for campus and community participants.


Yami Msosa

Yamikani Msosa is a grassroots feminist anti-violence advocate and educator. She is currently the Coordinator for Diversity and Inclusion, overseeing the Black Academic Success and Engagement (BASE) Initiative at Humber College. She completed her Master’s degree in Women and Gender Studies at Carleton University and was recently the Education Specialist at the Ryerson University, Consent Comes First: Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education office. She has given trainings all over the country on issues related to Sexual Violence, LGBTQ Communities & Anti-Black Racism including Ministry of the Attorney General, Ministry of Labour, Status of Women, UN Committee on International Decade of People of African Descent, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Yamikani has been featured in Macleans Magazine, The Walrus, Chatelaine Magazine, Now Toronto, and CBC National. She has worked for organizations such as  Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Immigrant Women Services of Ottawa, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa to name a few. Yamikani held the position of Executive Member & Vice Chair for the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres. In her spare time, she teaches trauma-informed yoga to survivors of sexual violence through her program SEEDS.


Tara Small

Tara is a University of Ottawa graduate who prides herself on her rich Caribbean culture and aspires to make academic settings more accessible, welcoming, and inclusive for black bodies. She holds both a Joint Honours BSocSc in Criminology and Women’s Studies and an MA in Criminology Specialization in Women’s Studies. Tara has worked with youth in various environments ranging from summer camps and sporting organizations to group homes and detention centres. As one of Professor Valerie Steeves’ students, Tara is looking forward to working on and contributing to the eQuality Project.


Andy Villanueva

Andy is a director and community activist. She was born in Mexico, in 1996 and at the age of 6 she moved to Toronto, Canada, where she lives and studies. Andy has directed several short films and documentaries, and has participated in diverse cinematographic projects. In 2017, Andy received the Horizon Award, at Sundance Festival, and her film was invited to screen at the Cannes film festival in 2017.  She is also co-founder of Project Slut, an organization that successfully dismantled Central Technical School’s dress code. For which she received the Status of Women Award back in 2014.