An initiative that empowers Indigenous, Black and racialized youth Youth designing Toronto’s future.

2026 Theme: changemakers

This year,youth were asked to engage with their community and the workshops as changemakers.

Over two workshops, students used design and advertising to explore community issues, identify opportunities for positive change and imagine healthier Toronto neighbourhoods. Through field studies and creative exercises, they learn how design, journalism and advertising can influence policy and inspire social change, while being encouraged to see themselves as future changemakers.

IMFTO’s first cohort of 8-14 years old Indigenous, Black and racialized youth focused on future solutions for COVID-19 and system racism. In 2023, IMFTO added the focus on biodiversity. The 2024 theme was desinging a healthy community and youth’s power to affect it. The 2025 Theme is Superpowers for Kids: What if kids made the city design decisions? Designing a barrier-free city that is fully accessible, inclusive, supports community wellbeing is youth

On May 25 2026, Faculty of Design OCAD University hosted a workshop for grade 7/8 students from Taylor Creek Public School as part of It’s My Future Toronto (IMFTO). This program is a series of workshops that empowers Indigenous, Black and racialized youth to share designs for Toronto and to tell their story of the future they want. Youth are asked to engage with their community and the workshops as changemakers. The event was a culminating design-making workshop where each participating student created a prototype of their idea(s) for a healthy Toronto neighbourhood.

Over two workshops, students used design and advertising to explore community issues, identify opportunities for positive change and imagine healthier Toronto neighbourhoods. Through field studies and creative exercises, they learn how design, journalism and advertising can influence policy and inspire social change, while being encouraged to see themselves as future changemakers.

It’s My Future Toronto has been running for six consecutive years. Founded by Dr. Dori Tunstall, former dean of the Faculty of Design at OCAD U, the program is now led by Associate Professor Dr. Kathy Moscou, Assistant Professor Colin Harry, and Assistant Professor Kestin S Cornwall in the Faculty of Design at OCAD U, in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, TDSB Equity, Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression Team.