Tonya Williams on Activism, Acting, and Changing Canadian Film Forever
Description
She’s a soap icon and a changemaker. Tonya Williams joins Janette to reveal how she went from Young & the Restless to revolutionizing Canadian film with Reelworld.
In this powerful episode of Janette’s TV Podcast, Janette chats with legendary actress, producer, and activist Tonya Williams. Best known for her groundbreaking role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on The Young & the Restless, Tonya opens up about the journey that led her to found the Reelworld Foundation—one of Canada’s leading platforms for championing BIPOC voices in film and television.
From early days on Polka Dot Door to winning NAACP Image Awards and launching Access Reelworld, Tonya shares how her lived experiences, artistic choices, and unshakable drive to open doors for others shaped her legacy on both sides of the camera.
Whether you're an artist, activist, or audience member, this candid conversation will leave you inspired and empowered to raise your voice, challenge the system, and make room for the stories that matter.
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the Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) 2025 Red Carpet Awards Gala
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