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Preferred-Tonya Williams-5176 copy (2)_e

Actress, Producer, Activist, Speaker

Founder and Executive Director of Reelworld

Named 2024 100 most influential Black Canadians for three years in a row Emmy nominated Tonya Williams is the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards Changemaker Recipient, a 2023 Visionary Award Recipient of the Legacy Awards and Playbacks 2021 Changemaker of the Year. She is an award-winning actress and producer who has worked in the industry for the last 49 years. She is widely known for her 19 years starring in The Young and the Restless as Dr. Olivia Winters. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Reelworld Screen Institute, Reelworld Film Festival+Summit and Reelworld Foundation. Tonya founded Reelworld in 2000 to address the lack of opportunities, access, and inclusion in Canada for Black, Indigenous, Asian and People of Colour in the screen industries.

Latest News

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Canada's Walk of Fame Inductee:

Canada's Walk of Fame announced on November 20 that Tonya Williams will be inducted in 2025. She is being recognized in the Arts & Entertainment category for her contributions to the screen industry and commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.

To learn more, click here

Announced: November 20, 2024

The Changemaker Award

The 12th Canadian Screen Awards:

On May 31, Reelworld Founder and Executive Director Tonya Williams received the Changemaker Award presented by Insight Productions at the Canadian Screen Awards. The Award was presented by Marsha Greene (showrunner, "The Porters").

No copyright infringement is intended. It is strictly for entertainment purposes. All video rights reserved to The Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television.

Air Date: May 31, 2024 on CBC

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