Cynthia Victoria Lurch

Establishing The REST Centres, addressing youth homelessness and using my lived experience to advocate for marginalized youth.

Becoming a published author, sharing my experiences and knowledge.

Overcoming infertility and being blessed with my dream babies, twin boy and girl.

Family: I have two sons Andrew and Matt Wellington. Two granddaughter Telisse and Taija and one grandson Braylan. They are caring kind and respectful. funder and President of Windsor Women Supporting Women. Helping young Black girls in need and support.
Helping Women and Families, and meals for Refugees.

My top three major accomplishments have been 1. My self-financed training as a classical soprano of world-class status. 2. The founding Artistic Director of the charitable organization, No Strings Theatre which has impacted many emerging artists. 3. My Master’s Degree in Community Music and Narrative Research Capstone on using music to build cultural bridges.

Over the past 6 years, i rose through the ranks to become the first African woman to attain tenure and promotion to Associate Professor and Acting Director at the School of Nursing at my place of work. I published 26 peer reviewed journal articles: 16 since my appointment in 2017 and 7 of which as first author. I have also published a book chapter and presented at local, national, and international conferences.

1. Winning of the highest leadership and diversity awards in Canada. In 2020 and 2023, I received the title and award of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards.
2. Completing the general machinist apprenticeship. Which requires 8000 hours of training.
3. Supporting women across Canada and sharing my story.

My top 3 accomplishments are 1) founding three environmental organizations 2) developing projects and services that address health disparities experienced by Black women and Black people and 3) having my first book lead to a Netflix documentary I co-produced.

Single mother of 4 amazing children. Named diabetes educator of the year through the faculty of the Medicine University of Toronto. Recognized by the Canadian Diabetes Education Certification Board for the award of excellence in diabetes education management. Community advocate and activist for continental Africans and other Canadian communities to get free access to health, health equipment and medications for all.

My topic three accomplishments are: Provincial Family Award – September 2020 for exceptional volunteer work within my community; National recognition of Canada’s Outstanding Principal in 2019; and the Creator of the first Africentric Cohort within a Public Education System in 2018.

My top three accomplishments are: Leading as director for 6 years (2 terms); receiving the Fellowship of the American College of Nurse Midwives (FACNM) for service and leadership; and having the joy of co-parenting 3 step sons and co-grandparenting 3 grandchildren.

I never imagined growing up in Little Jamaica in Toronto with two regular parents, working regular jobs that I would end up halfway through a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, having already taught four university-level courses and published one paper before the age of 30. As a result, I am dedicated to giving back to my community, especially young Black girls, as I can identify with their journey through adolescence, and have founded a grassroots organization in partnership with two other exceptional women in my neighborhood – Auntie’s Place – that co-creates a safe space with Black, Indigenous, and Afro-Indigenous youth who reside in Toronto and are seeking social support, community, food security, healing, and cultural knowledge. Furthermore, I have also gained the confidence to use my expertise to improve corporate and non-profit organizations policies and programs related to racialized individuals by conducting research through my own consulting company, which was inspired by the success of my research and analysis recruitment and retention of racialized individuals at TD Bank and the incorporation of my recommendations into their long-term plan.

Co-creator of Impact of Race and Cultural Assessment for Family and Criminal Court
Primary Clinical Lead on the Development of IWK Mental Health Black Mental and Addictions Treatment Program Mother of an Amazing Young Adult.

I created programing that led to receiving the a Vital People award from the Toronto Community Foundation and Inclusion Innovation Award from the NBA and my work was recognized by the WXN Women’s Executive Leadership Networking naming me as a Top 100 Leader for 2020.