About MOBA

Mapping Ontario’s Black Archives (MOBA) is an Ontario Early Researcher Award-funded project (2021-26) that has three objectives.

  1. To create a comprehensive inventory of Black Ontarian archival collections
  2. To examine, using storytelling, how archives are used by creative communities
  3. To evaluate, over a five-year period, how we can bridge the knowledge gap between Black archival collections and Black history in the province.

From Project to Digital Platform

As MOBA’s founder, Dr. Cheryl Thompson had a vision for archives that has transformed MOBA from a research project into a unique and innovative digital platform. Her experiences working in Black archives underpin MOBA’s mission, and its focus on providing the public with wider access to Black collections.

How you can contribute

MOBA is not an archive. We are here to connect you to archives across Ontario. If you have artifacts, images, or documents that you would like to donate to an archive, contact us and we can help facilitate that process.

CONTACT US

Meet The MOBA Team

Dr. Cheryl Thompson (she/her), Founder & Director of Research and Creative Strategy

Dr. Cheryl Thompson is an Academic, Public Speaker, and author. She is also Director of Black Creative Lab, an incubator for the curation of public exhibits, speaker events, and YouTube content. Dr. Thompson also created BREC.ca, a website that documents Canada’s history of blackface. Dr. Thompson is a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists for her contributions to Black Canadian studies. For more on Dr. Thompson’s bio, you can find her@ drcherylthompson.ca.

Current MOBA Team

Lucy Wowk, Research and Creative Lead

Lucy Wowk holds an MA in Communication & Culture, TMU/York University and is a PhD student in Social and Political Thought at York University. Lucy developed and designed BREC.ca. Working with Dr. Cheryl has been influential in her growth as a researcher, in terms of approach, methods, and research dissemination. Lucy joined the MOBA team in 2021.

Megan Judd, Marketing and Communications Manager

Megan holds a BA in Visual Studies from the University of Toronto and has worked in advertising and media promotion for several years. Megan is MOBA’s media contact and is a liaison for Dr. Cheryl’s speaking engagements and public appearances. Megan joined the MOBA team in 2022.

Daysha Loppie is a journalist based in Toronto. Her work has been published by The Local, the Toronto Star, West End Phoenix, ByBlacks, CBC Arts and more. Daysha graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Journalism and a minor in Black Studies. She won the 2024 Canadian Association of Journalists Award for Student Excellence. Daysha joined the MOBA team in 2024.

Jasper is the social media coordinator at MOBA. He is currently in the 2nd year of his undergraduate studies in the Film Studies program at Toronto Metropolitan University. At MOBA, Jasper hopes to use his communication skills to foster a strong and engaged community. Jasper joined the MOBA team in 2024.

Fahma is a graduate of TMU’s Graphic Communications Management program. She is one of MOBA’s metadata analysts. With a passion for user experience design (UXD), she is committed to creating inclusive and impactful digital spaces that are welcoming and accessible to all. Fahma joined the MOBA team in 2024.

Chantel Tran is a graduate of TMU’s Graphic Communication Technology program, with a Packaging Concentration. As one of MOBA’s metadata analysts, Chantel brings her passion for UXD to the team. Chantel joined the MOBA team in 2024.

Past MOBA Team

Dr. Karen Cyrus (she/her)

Dr. Karen Cyrus (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of  Ethnomusicology at Wilfrid Laurier University, and Director of the Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa. Dr. Cyrus was MOBA’s postdoctoral fellow (2021-22) and served as MOBA’s co-collaborator and research co-lead (2021-23).

Mel Racho (he/him)

Mel Racho (he/him), is PhD Candidate in Communication & Culture, TMU and York University. He served as the Black Creative Lab’s Video Editor and Content Lead (2021-23). Mel is a queer trans Fillipinx media artist-scholar interested in creating revolutionary systems. He holds a Master of Information in Information Systems, an MFA in Art and Digital Media.

Enna Kim

Enna Kim is an interdisciplinary artist based in Toronto, Canada. Enna served as MOBA’s Event Graphic Designer (2022-23). In her work as an artist, Enna explores the dimensions between her hyphenated Korean-Canadian identity through animation, projection mapping and large-scale murals. Enna has an MA in Communication & Culture from York/TMU University.

Denée Rudder

Denée holds a Master’s in Professional Communication and has a strong foundation in journalism, bringing versatile expertise across public relations, digital marketing, and multimedia storytelling. Her experience spans nonprofit, startup, and agency settings. Denée worked with MOBA in 2023-24.

Asya Twahir

Asya has an MA in Communication & Culture from York and Toronto Metropolitan University. She is a filmmaker and engaged in cultural work in Toronto and beyond. She worked with MOBA in 2024.