Inspiring the Next Generation: Christopher Thompson

A quintessential trailblazer and leader, University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) alumnus Christopher Thompson (HBA 2012) has dedicated his life to supporting marginalized communities and young people across Canada.

As founder of Skills for Life, a local charity life skill development organization for youth, Thompson puts into practice his beliefs of community-driven support, and says he was inspired from a young age to prioritize people and push back when concepts were a bit murky.

“I remember talking a lot as a kid, and that developed into wanting to debate and question things,” says Thompson.

“And then in high school, I got into law and wanting to understand the legal system.”

The motivation to go into charitable work, however, was sparked by Thompson’s father, whose work as a pastor brought into focus the impact of working with communities.

“My dad is one of my biggest inspirations,” says Thompson.

“It was from him that I learned how to connect, understand, and speak with people, which opened the door for me to go into the not-for-profit sector.”

Attending university, Thompson saw the need and capacity for not-for-profit and organizations. As a member of several campus clubs, such as Caribbean Connections and the UTM Athletic Council, Thompson enjoyed meeting others and engaging with campus life.

Emboldened to get more involved and take on leadership roles, Thompson became the UTM undergraduate student union’s (UTMSU) Vice President of Campus Life, and later, UTMSU President.

Thompson says his time with UTMSU “pushed him to his current career destination of understanding systems of people and advocating for people.”

Upon joining the UTM Alumni Association shortly after graduating with a degree in political science, criminology, and sociology, the experience also helped Thompson “understand the concept of social and community development more, and pursuing it as a possible career.”

“University was multicultural for the most part, but as I got into leadership roles, council meetings, and president meetings, the diversity shifted to the point where I was the only Black or marginalized individual in these spaces,” says Thompson.

Once he moved into business and marketing upon graduation, Thompson continued his community involvement by volunteering and eventually working with the United Way.”

Through participating in speaking engagements with UTM over the years, Thompson also realized that youth had an interest and capacity to learn more life skills.

“Something happened for me where I gained these experiential learning and life skills at a young age,” says Thompson.

“I realized that if youth can learn this from an earlier age, it could change their trajectory.”

It was through this revelation that his brainchild, Skills for Life, was born in 2016.

With Skills for Life, Thompson is determined to teach youth the connection between hard and soft skills needed for life. In addition to mentorship and professional discovery programs, Thompson is excited to partner with the Region of Peel on a new vocational work program that focuses on youth intervention and building career aptitude skills.

“If youth can build life skills earlier, they can take on challenges, see opportunities, and prepare themselves for success,” says Thompson.

Also, through his work as the current Executive Director of the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), Thompson is helping set a national standard for community-focused strategies. As a member of the Canadian national black justice strategy, the FBC is helping to “ensure we can fight anti-Black racism in justice systems and write policies that support the growth of the black community.”

A true pillar of the UTM community and beyond, Thompson is excited to continue building Skills for Life and the Federation of Black Canadians to serve more people across Canada and provide opportunities to the most marginalized. To current students, Thompson encourages you to explore more and take risks.

“When you give back, you don’t always think about the ways in which your service will impact you,” says Thompson.

“Not only will you gain important life experience, you also expand your perspective and horizons and develop skills that will serve you well no matter where your journey leads you.”

Latest Development & Additional Resource

Thompson is the recipient of the 2024 Desmond Parker Young Alumni Award: read more about this award-winning alumnus.

Story originally published by Black at UTM