About the Artist

Teneshia T. Samuel (Hon. B.A., M.A., M.A.) is a first-generation Caribbean Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, social activist, politician and scholar. Born with 10% vision and 50% hearing, the subject of Teneshia’s work discusses intersectional identities, life in diaspora and paths to liberation for self and community. Exploring the subjects of Queer identity and Public Health in the Black community, Teneshia creates work that crosses multiple media from Visual Art, Literature, Fashion Design and Music. In 2021, Teneshia was the first Black, Disabled and Transgender candidate to run for Federal office. In 2021, Teneshia was also a resident of the ILGBTAR Artist Residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island and a member of the curatorial team for the 2021 ReelAbilities Film Festival. Teneshia was a featured Artist in the Luminato Festival of 2021 and now serves as an Access Advisor for the 2022 Luminato Festival. Starting in December 2021, Teneshia joined ByBlacks.com as a regular columnist and a member of the Editorial team. Teneshia serves on the Board of Directors for Black Mental Health Canada, Moyo Health & Community Services (Formerly Peel HIV/AIDS Network) and is a citizen-appointed Access Advisor to the City of Mississauga.