Our BUTO TEAM
A community’s prosperity doesn’t lie in one person.
Mandinka Proverb
Meet Romain: Advancing Black Leadership and Urban Justice Through Cultural Stewardship
Romain Baker is a policy leader and community‑builder dedicated to strengthening Black futures in Toronto. A Senior Policy and Programs Advisor with the Ministry of Education, he brings more than a decade of public‑sector experience advancing equitable programs and responsive community policy.
As a co‑founder of Black Urbanism Toronto (BUTO), Romain helped launch the organization in 2018 with a mission to amplify Black voices in city‑building and protect the cultural, social, and economic vitality of the neighbourhoods Black communities call home. What began as a documentary project grew into a citywide movement confronting patterns of Black displacement and advocating for pathways to community ownership—particularly in Little Jamaica along Eglinton Avenue West.
Romain’s work with BUTO centres Black residents and business owners, focusing on increasing participation in community development, expanding access to culturally relevant spaces, and supporting alternative models for economic resilience.Rooted in his Jamaican heritage and guided by a deep commitment to cultural preservation, Romain continues to champion initiatives that honour place, build capacity, and secure lasting opportunities for Black communities across Toronto.
Meet Dane: Leading Community Empowerment, Cultural Preservation, and Black‑Driven Urban Futures
Dane Williams is a community‑development leader and dedicated advocate for Black economic empowerment across the Greater Toronto Area. As Executive Director and a co‑founder of Black Urbanism Toronto (BUTO), Dane has helped shape the organization’s mission since its founding in 2018, guiding its work to build equitable, sustainable, and culturally grounded neighbourhoods for Black communities.
With a background in human resources and community leadership, Dane brings a strategic, people‑centered approach to organizational development and grassroots mobilization. His longstanding commitment to economic empowerment is reflected in BUTO’s initiatives, which focus on community engagement, cultural preservation, and strengthening Black‑owned businesses and local economies.
Beyond his role at BUTO, Dane has served in multiple community‑oriented capacities, including youth mentorship through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and volunteer leadership roles supporting civil rights, student conduct, and social action.
Rooted in a vision of Black liberation and community self‑determination, Dane continues to build partnerships that advance equity, protect cultural heritage, and ensure Black communities have the power and resources to shape their own futures.
Meet Ruth: Champion of Afrocentric Urban Planning and Community Empowerment
Ruth Belay is a dedicated urban planner with a passion for community engagement, urban redevelopment, and transit planning. She champions Afrocentric approaches to planning and has a wealth of experience supporting Black communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Ruth focuses on critical issues like community ownership, mentorship initiatives, and affordable housing.
Throughout her career, Ruth has partnered with various City of Toronto divisions and Provincial ministries. Her unwavering commitment to fostering livable and thriving communities shines through in her close collaboration with residents. Ruth ensures that their neighborhoods are places where individuals can live, play, and work in alignment with their needs and dreams.
Meet Prophetess Elijah-Marie: Advocate for Community Service and Human Rights
Prophetess Elijah-Marie Reid was born in the revered land of Xaymaca (Jamaica), recognized as a De Jure Aborigine ‘wombman.’ Her life's work is deeply rooted in community service, legal advocacy, activism, the study of world history, and the pursuit of human rights. With over five years of experience on various community boards, Prophetess Reid seeks to impart the wisdom and insight she has gathered.
She holds steadfast to the belief that true change arises from mentorship and collective effort, stressing the importance of teaching and learning by 2025 to nurture future leaders. Her motto is simple, yet profound: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Meet Leo: A Dedicated Professional Committed to Community Empowerment
Leo is a dedicated advocate with over 13 years of meaningful experience in consulting, technology, risk management, and partnerships. He is committed to empowering equity-deserving communities and passionately works towards helping them thrive and achieve self-sufficiency.
With a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson and an MBA from Queen’s University, Leo understands the transformative power of education and mentorship. He believes that young people are the future, and with the right guidance, nurturing relationships, and support, especially young men can fully realize their potential.
Growing up in Rexdale, Leo witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of poor choices and negative influences. This experience fueled his determination to create lasting positive change for his family and community. By pursuing a career in commerce, Leo aims to share his expertise and foster a culture of stewardship that inspires others to make a difference.
Meet Jozef: A Community Advocate for Fair Workplace Practices in Toronto
Jozef Hadlaw-Murray is dedicated to advancing fair workplace practices as a labour and employment lawyer at Shields O'Donnell MacKillop LLP in downtown Toronto. With a focus on empowering employers through expert legal guidance, Jozef navigates the complexities of workplace law to foster just and equitable work environments.His extensive experience spans a wide array of labour and employment litigation, representing clients before Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada, and various administrative boards, tribunals, and in private arbitration and mediation settings.
Before advocating through legal channels at Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP, Jozef honed his skills in Labour/Employee Relations and Human Resources for nearly a decade with both private and public sector organizations.
Jozef’s commitment to justice began with his Bachelor of Arts in Work and Labour Studies from York University, followed by a law degree from Leicester University in the United Kingdom. While there, he contributed to the university’s legal clinic and the Innocence Project, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals who had exhausted their legal appeals.
Jozef Hadlaw-Murray is not just a lawyer; he is a community champion, tirelessly working to ensure fair treatment and support for all in the workplace.
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