Our Story

Founded in 2007 by Michael Prosserman (Bboy Piecez), Unity harnesses the transformative power of Hip Hop and community. Our programs empower youth to overcome challenges like low self-esteem, isolation, and anxiety, fostering confidence, healthy relationships, creative expression, and a strong sense of community. We've touched over half a million lives, building resilience and nurturing healthier communities.

Discover the impact in our latest Annual Report!

Hear from our Founder and ED

Mission

Unity is a national charity that helps underserved youth develop resilience through Hip Hop

Vision

Unity improves young people’s lives and contributes to healthier communities.

Our Values

Youth

Youth are at the centre of Unity. We exist as an organization to serve young people in need of ways to express themselves positively, in need of community, encouragement and support, in need of representation and platforms so that they may be heard and seen. We prioritize youth by including them in the conversation, by listening to them, and by guiding and mentoring them.

Hip Hop

To Unity, the Hip Hop elements are languages through which we’re able to connect, teach, inspire, and engage with youth. The history of Hip Hop, and the foundational values of the culture--social justice, peace, respect, self-worth, and community--are values and stories we strive to embody and share, so that youth may find inspiration, motivation and lessons of resilience within them.

Community

To Unity, community represents places and spaces where people feel seen and connected. Community means sharing, support and safety. In our work, community is foundational - it is at the centre of all we do. Helping others to find and experience belonging in community, and finding it ourselves, motivates us and moves us all closer to success and wellness.

Respect

To Unity, respect means treating every person with dignity, consideration and honour. In our work, respect is important because it allows us to build lasting relationships and create spaces where people feel dignified and safe to grow, learn and work. Respect is also important to Unity as a foundational value of Hip Hop.

Integrity

Youth are at the centre of Unity. We exist as an organization to serve young people in need of ways to express themselves positively, in need of community, encouragement and support, in need of representation and platforms so that they may be heard and seen. We prioritize youth by including them in the conversation, by listening to them, and by guiding and mentoring them.

Passion

To Unity, passion is the fire within, loving what you do and who you are. Passion is recognizing what moves the spirit, and honouring that need. In our work, passion is essential because it breathes life into our collective efforts, and keeps us hungry for change and growth.

Team

Rebecca Harrison
Executive Director
Clinton Ghosh
Program Director
Bob Veruela Jr.
National Program Director
Catherine Turcotte
Ontario Programs Manager
Mahad Shoaib
Development Director
Adrian Chan
Program Coordinator
Arjun Raj
Marketing and Communications Manager
Andel James
Artist Network Manager

Board Of Directors

Del Cowie
Board Member
Samer Abhughannam
Chair
Leslie Rivers
Treasurer
Miri Hadas Koller
Secretary
Keysha Freshh
Board Member
Sarah Kwan
Board Member

Our Partners

TD Ready Commitment
RBC Foundation
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Canada Council for the Arts
City of Toronto
Sun Life
Canada Life
Mackenzie Investments
Toronto Arts Council
Government of Canada
Amazon Music Canada
Catapult Canada

Get Involved

Want to build resilience in under-served youth and contribute towards building healthier communities?

Find out how