'Young and the Restless' alum, activist Tonya Williams continues to fight for equity, diversity and inclusion in entertainment

For many people, when they see Tonya Williams they think of her role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on The Young and The Restless. But on Friday the Canadian actor was presented with the Changemaker Award at the 2024 Canadians Screen Awards in Toronto, for her work as the founder of Reelworld.

"It's not easy for anyone to find success in this industry, but it is really, really, really hard if you happen to be racially diverse," Williams said in her speech at the gala. "Twenty-four years ago I committed to doing something that made no sense to anyone at the time, I created Reelworld that put Canadian Black, Indigenous, Asian and people of colour who are in our screen industries front and centre."

"At that time there was nothing in Canada that spoke to this collective group. And I believed that it was time we all worked together to make the systemic changes that we're still wanting in our industry."

Founded in 2000, Reelworld's work includes professional development services, training programs and presents the Reelworld Film Festival. During her acceptance speech on Friday, Williams highlighted that next year will be the 25th anniversary of Reelworld, a "legacy of hope" for many artists.

"I haven't just been fighting for equity, diversity and inclusion because it's the right thing to do, I mean it is, but that's not the only reason for E.D.I. Because our audience has expanded the table," Williams stressed. "E.D.I. is not only the right thing to do, it is the profitable thing to do and opening the doors wider in our industry to include everyone is how we all survive, making content for the whole world is how we all succeed."

'A world that is hungry to see itself reflected authentically on screen'

Speaking to reporters about a statement she previously made to The Globe and Mail, "If you’re born Black, you’re automatically an activist," Williams said it's something that carried through from her young life to her professional acting career.

"I think the minute you're born, your parents are preparing you for a world that is going to make things harder on you," Williams said. "Whether you want to be an activist or not, you just are."

"I remember my mother saying something to me, I might have been around nine or 10, ... because the schools I went to were primarily white people, and she would go, 'Don't follow in the footsteps of your friends because they're going to have opportunities that are not available to you.' ... I think when I started in the industry, I remember having that conversation with my agent saying, 'I'm not going to be able to have a career like some of your other clients. We're gonna have to forge something different because I'm different.'"

From the actor and activist's perspective, the Canadian identity is "our diversity," which needs to be reflected on screen and shared internationally, "to a world that is hungry to see itself reflected authentically on screen."

"I grew up not seeing anyone who looked, sounded or acted like me on TV or film," Williams shared in at the gala. "When I started acting in 1976, I didn't see any roles that reflected who I was either, and on sets there was little to no diversity."

"Things are so much more improved, but we still have a long way to go."

While Williams found success in the U.S., she highlighted that she specifically wanted to start Reelworld in Canada.

"Canada is where I thought it would thrive," Williams told reporters. "I just love the diversity we have here and I love our openness. It doesn't mean we do everything right here, but I feel people try."

"I've lived in other countries and you see the divisiveness that's happened in the in the States. We really do try to get along here. That doesn't mean it always works, but I love the fact that we're trying."