Shannon Lawrence

A mute button is something Shannon Lawrence was not blessed with. Most report cards growing up featured comments such as “Shannon is an excellent student, but lacks focus” or “Shannon is a creative and talented student, however her talking distracts others”. Having never been a kid able to do what others wanted Shannon just kept talking and in 2003, bored with the academic surroundings of McGill University, found herself hosting and producing Spitifyah on Montreal’s CKUT 90.3fm. Through this collective Shannon was able to connect with other women of colour from a broad range of backgrounds and as a result has worked as a journalist, artist and activist for the better part of the last decade. While studying at McGill Shannon assisted in the founding of M.A.R.C (the McGill Anti-Racist Coalition), which was started as a response to the issues of racial discrimination and oppression, both at McGill and in the Montreal community at large. Her work on Spitfiyah and with M.A.R.C lead to a collaborative project working with SACCOMS where she produced an interactive audio-visual installation using material from workshops conducted with a group of students in Montreal.

Leaving McGill with a degree in Economics and Development Studies Shannon has gone on to work in the communications and education field with a wide range of government and non-profit organizations notably working for the Community Partnership and Investment Program for the City of Toronto, Stolen From Africa, The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (L.E.A.F) and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Most recently after spending over a year working for a small Toronto based law firm, Shannon decided to hit the road taking a six month sojourn spanning from the island of Zanzibar to the streets of Berlin. Though many were afraid she wouldn’t return, the experience brought her back to Toronto with a renewed vision and passion for the work she does.

This past summer Shannon organized and administered the launch of SFA’s Summer Media Arts Youth Program, which is positioned to be a regular part of SFA’s ongoing programming. Currently she continues to provide ongoing support to SFA both administratively and creatively.

Inspired by the will of the human spirit and the beauty she has experienced from complete strangers, Shannon has made it her mission to create a space where other young people can grow and experience the world first hand.