This educator and advocate channels her past challenges to be a force for good

CBC Quebec is highlighting people from the province's Black communities who are giving back, inspiring others and helping to shape our future. These are the 2024 Black Changemakers.

It's a warm evening in the middle of the summer and Tamara Angeline Medford-Williams sits behind her microphone in a shop-turned-studio in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood.

Medford-Williams and her co-host bounce ideas back and forth. Their exchange is smooth, unscripted and organic — no rehearsals, just the pulse of conversation. Two guests — a rising star in the local hip-hop scene and a renowned music producer — wait patiently for their turn to speak.

This scene plays out every week on the hip-hop radio show, The Morning Detour on CKUT, where Medford-Williams has co-hosted for years after starting at the community radio station as an intern.

"I get to highlight social issues that we in the Black and racialized communities in Montreal face, along with the music," she said.

The show is just one facet of Medford-Williams's life. She has faced significant challenges, including violence, trauma and experiencing homelessness.

"I always say that my life is a fairy tale because a lot of people in my situation don't often make it out the way that I did," she said with a smile.

These experiences have fuelled her passion for helping others. This desire to transform her experiences into a force for good has motivated her throughout her life.

One of the pivotal moments in Medford-Williams's life came in 2015 when she met Svens Telemaque, a social entrepreneur who saw something special in her.

At the time, Medford-Williams had spent months without stable housing and was living in her car for stretches of time. But Telemaque recognized her potential and began mentoring her.

"Whatever she touches, she just really wants to do it perfectly," Telemaque said.

He encouraged Medford-Williams to pursue her education and connected her with an academic adviser at Concordia University. This support was crucial in helping Medford-Williams get back on track, and today, she is working on her master's degree while also serving as the director of Black community initiatives at DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN) Canada.

Medford-Williams started with the company as an administrative assistant a decade ago and now has a leadership role.

"She links up with different communities, the Black community, the Asian community, pretty much everywhere," said Kanitha Nhek, a colleague and close friend at DAWN Canada.

Nhek said her own children look up to "Auntie Tamara" as an example of what they can aspire to be.

A woman with many hats

Medford-Williams wears many hats to help others. She is an educator at the Elizabeth House rehabilitation centre, and helps people at AMCAL Family Services as a family case worker.

"The beautiful thing about Tamara is that she does so much but always has time for people," Nhek said "You don't need to always help people. But she loves it. I think she definitely thrives on it and gets her energy from it."

Medford-Williams's dedication to her work and her community has not gone unnoticed. She was nominated as a 2024 Black Changemaker by eight people, including colleagues and mentors.

"She's a good leader, a good example, a good role model," said Yasemine Tuncer, who worked with Medford-Williams at DAWN Canada.

"I always said: Tamara for president!"

In addition to her work, Medford-Williams has also contributed to the academic community. She has been a guest speaker at Concordia and has contributed to a special issue of a practitioner's journal on childhood and youth care.

She's also started teaching a class this semester in the university's youth work graduate diploma program.

Patti Ranahan is one of her professors and has worked with her for over four years. She praised her as someone who is "keen, motivated, excited and doesn't let barriers stop her."

Medford-Williams's impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She is deeply committed to breaking the cycle of trauma that has affected her life and the lives of many others. Telemaque noted that Medford-Williams is "committed to breaking a lot of toxic cycles" and that she has been able to "educate herself in such a way that she can not only relate to people in their trauma, but she can actually help them heal from that trauma."

As Medford-Williams continues her journey, she remains focused on her mission to make a difference.

Whether through her work at DAWN Canada, her academic pursuits or her mentorship of others, Medford-Williams is determined to be a force for change.

The Black Changemakers is a special series recognizing individuals who, regardless of background or industry, are driven to create a positive impact in their community. From tackling problems to showing small gestures of kindness on a daily basis, these Changemakers are making a difference and inspiring others. Meet all the Changemakers here.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.