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Stephen Mensah
Award-Winning Youth Advocate, Advocacy Strategist, Founder
Stephen (he/him) is based in Toronto.
Their identities and lived-experience qualifications are a crucial contributor to their expertise. These are some that they identify with:
Here's the dynamic range of services they offer with Future Ancestors Services:
This is just a glimpse of the incredible breadth of subject-matter expertise they bring to the table:
Photo provided by 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…
We can assure you, they're worth getting to know.
Photos provided by Stephen
How does their lived experience shape their qualification?
This is an excerpt Stephen Mensah’s interview with Ghanalinx TV that highlights how his lived experience as a young Black advocate has shaped his approach to leadership, representation, and systemic change.
Young, Black, and in advocacy... I’ve had to prove that I deserve to be in these spaces. But by staying committed, I’ve not only earned respect for myself but have also paved the way for my peers to be taken seriously as well.
Walking into a room, I'm a young person, and already there's this notion that young people are not as engaged or knowledgeable. Then, being Black, I often find myself as the only person of color in the room. Holding my own, standing my ground, and proving that I belong has been a challenge, but it's something I've learned to navigate and overcome.
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"After learning that the City of Toronto was planning to allocate just $2 million toward youth funding in the 2023 budget, Mensah pushed back hard, eventually convincing council to kick in an additional $10 million...
Mensah and his team have been instrumental in bringing about mandatory mental health education (a $150 million investment) as well as free menstrual products in public schools."
Toronto Life Magazine
Here’s a snapshot of how they bring stories, strategies, and meaningful change to each audience.
Stephen is a regularly sought after keynote speaker, panelist and moderator having worked with dozens of organizations to amplify his message of youth empowerment and social change. Some organizations include the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, University of Toronto and many more.
Stephen’s experience and passion has enabled him to be well versed in a wide array of topics from leadership, youth, education, anti-Black racism, equity, community building, empowerment and so much more. His powerful and trusted voice is guaranteed to captivate, educate, motivate and inspire audiences of all demographics.
Speaker Highlight
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Stephen is situated on the Traditional Territory of the Haudenosaunee, and on the territory of the Mississauga of the New Credit First Nation.
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