EXECUTIVE TEAM
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Andrea Zayan (they/them) is a journalist, editor and designer from Scarborough. Driven by the proletarian philosophies embedded in them by their upbringing, they’ve made it their mission to author disenfranchised narratives as a means of resistance. Andrea loves to call forward critical dialogue about queer, crip and racialized experiences that feel impenetrable. Since their reign as Music Editor last year, they are unbelievably excited (and slightly petrified) to take the throne this year with Grace! They’re often drowning in unfinished feature writing projects but could otherwise be found at their favourite Midtown deli sandwich joint or raging at the city’s latest leatherdyke shindig.
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Grace Henkel (she/her) is a fourth-year in TMU’s School of Journalism, minoring in English and Communication Design. She joined CanCulture in her second year and is returning to the masthead for the third time. The stories she’s most proud of have covered food sovereignty, harm reduction, niche Canadian literature, and artful acts of resistance. Her work has appeared in Chatelaine, City Farmer News, The Eyeopener, and the Literary Review of Canada, among others. When she isn’t inundated with work from the hundreds of little side projects she’s taken on, she loves to decompress with grandmotherly activities like baking, gardening, and having deep conversations with her cat, Sherlock.
Managing Editor
Anna-Giselle Funes-Eng (they/them) is a fourth year journalism student at TMU. They’ve been writing for CanCulture since their first year, blinked, and now are on their third year on masthead. As a journalist, they’re passionate about community-centric stories that question power and help us reimagine what the world could be. With a love for student publications, they’re also Managing Editor at the Review of Journalism, and always threatening to start their own magazines to self publish their abstract social critique essays.
Managing Editor
Ella Miller (she/her) is a fourth-year journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University, minoring in 2SLGBTQ+ and Disability studies. In addition to CanCulture she also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Toronto Abnormal School and The Review of Journalism. Ella is passionate about reporting on disability justice, queer history, rural communities and fandom practices. When not buried in a mountain of editing work she is probably sleeping. Or, playing The Sims 4. But mostly sleeping.
Social Media & Graphics Director
Gray Moloy (he/they) is a journalist and illustrator based in Toronto. He is interested in multimedia journalism and finding new ways to tell stories. Coming from rural Ontario, he is passionate about reporting on small communities and subcultures. He makes comics and illustrations for the Toronto Abnormal School, as their Art Editor. To read his queer angst comics find him @tidalwaverrr on Instagram. When he’s off Adobe Suite you can find him drinking Iced Americanos somewhere on the Danforth.
SECTION EDITORS
Arts Editor
Zanoah Plummer (she/her) is a third year journalism student at TMU. A Jill of many trades, master of some, outside of the newsroom she is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and creative writer. The breadth of her reporting covers the entertainment industry, environmentalism, geopolitics, and how social class interacts with the world. As a Bajan & Jamaican writer, her reporting on international politics tends to focus on Africa and the Caribbean, as she hopes to shed more light on the issues the two regions face. When she isn’t chasing a lede, she can be found playing the drums or doodling away in her sketchbook.
Fashion Editor
Cris Nippard (they/them) is a Toronto-based, award winning journalist and QTBIPOC community worker from Scarborough. They are also a student in Toronto Metropolitan University’s bachelor of journalism program, where they are pursuing a double minor in LGBTQ+ and Black studies. A lover of independent and student run print publications dedicated to creating space for queer and trans youth, Cris is also the Managing Editor of Print at StyleCircle and a Multimedia Editor of RAGE Media. When they’re not editing, you can find them at Cafeteria or watching Girls HBO.
Features Editor
Aisha Walters (she/her) is second-year journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University. With a passion for deconstructing narratives, she wants to write stories focused on social justice, community and intersectionality. When she isn’t running around securing interviews for upcoming assignments, you will most likely find her on contemplative walks, at a concert, singing or sifting through piles of CDs to add to her collection. She will also never say no to having a philosophical conversation or grabbing a coffee.
Film Editor
Hajir Butt (she/her) is a fourth year journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University who works towards amplifying voices and telling stories of those who are overlooked. She’s written for publications like The Otter and The Eyeopener. Her passion for film started early in her life when she watched Iron Man at the age of six. When she isn’t writing or reporting, she can be found creating random videos on her camcorder or getting lost in a good film or book.
Food Editor
Sorousheh Salman (she/her) is a second-year journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University, minoring in political science. She is passionate about reporting on minority communities in the city and giving them a platform for their very cool, often unseen work. Sorousheh loves writing and connecting with various people all the time! She believes darkness deserves to have a platform, but so do the wonderful lighter things! You can’t know something is dark if you haven’t seen the possibility of the world in light. If you don’t find her writing, she’s probably hiding in her room with her dolls, watching cartoons.
Literary Editor
Luis Ramirez-Liberato (he/him) is a third-year journalism student based in the Greater Toronto Area. Luis pursued a career in journalism driven by his passion for the work, inspired by a love for Hunter S. Thompson and his ‘gonzo’ journalism style. Currently, Luis’ reporting covers labour and immigration issues in the GTA, but you can occasionally find him publishing articles on Toronto’s literary scene. Whether it’s prose or comics, Luis has a fervour for all things literary and within the realm of the written word. If he is not buried knee-deep deep in assignments, you can often find him digging through the comic boxes at The Beguiling.
Multimedia Editor
Medea Faulkner (they/them)
Music Editor
T Edward (they/them) is a journalist, musician, and multimedia storyteller with a love for the offbeat artists and communities shaping culture from the margins. A third-year Journalism major and Music & Culture minor at Toronto Metropolitan University, T’s work blends sharp reporting with a soft spot for the beautifully odd, drawing on writing, audio, and photography to capture the texture of marginalized creative worlds. When they’re not buried in their latest idea, T is usually knee-deep in a CD bin, overthinking bass riffs no one can hear, or engaging in spirited online debates with strangers.
SOCIAL MEDIA & GRAPHICS TEAM
Graphic Designer
Emily Wilson (she/her) is a third-year RTA Media Production student at Toronto Metropolitan University, minoring in communication design. In addition to being a graphic designer for CanCulture, she is the Creative Media Director for TMUsicians and a freelance designer for various projects. Emily is passionate about advertising and promotion, especially in relation to music and the arts. Most of her professional work is created using the Adobe Creative Suite, but in her free time she enjoys picking up a classic pencil and paper to draw the traditional way!
Socials Editor
Tristan Forde (he/they) is a journalist, athlete and multimedia creator based in the Greater Toronto Area. He uses his platform to share stories about subcultures and events not commonly reported on by the public, hoping to offer a space for creatives to share their stories and inspirations. If he isn’t out reporting Tristan is normally out on the volleyball court, deep in the mosh pits at metal shows, replaying Kingdom Hearts games or spending time at his favorite cafes.
Photo Editor
James Bunga (he/him) is a fourth-year journalism student at TMU and a photojournalist based in Toronto, Ontario. James got his start in journalism working for music publications as a concert photographer. Later, as a freelancer, he’s worked with artists such as Black Country, New Road, Slow Pulp, and Wednesday. These days, music has taken a backseat to his first love of cycling and all things bikes. Currently working for Canadian Cycling Magazine, he covers everything from pro racing to local vintage bike shows. Outside of journalism, James can be found riding his bike, walking around with a camera, or at whatever local show is happening that weekend.
Photography by James Bunga