Our Friend Graham

On October 8th, 2021, our friend and former colleague Graham Mitchell died at the age of 47 after a short battle with lung cancer. Graham was the founding Leadership and Training Director of the Broadbent Institute, an expert on policy advocacy, organizing and campaigns, and a mentor to countless people across Canadian progressive movements.

Graham was committed to being an ally and working in solidarity with women, 2SLGBTQ+, and racialized communities. He was particularly invested in supporting the leadership of racialized women. As his obituary states:

“His leadership style allowed him to connect with so many people; he somehow managed to lead and support, without the need or interest to be in the spotlight. Graham was especially gifted at mentoring. He knew when to walk beside, when to gently nudge from behind, and when to step out front to model the way.”

Graham was committed to being an ally, a co-conspirator and working in solidarity with women, 2SLGBTQ+, and racialized communities. He was particularly invested in supporting the leadership of racialized women, and he recognized that this work involved more than offering mentorship or professional development opportunities; it involved enabling supports that actively addressed the inequities caused by racism, sexism and other intersecting oppressions.

To read more about Graham, visit the Broadbent Institute's tribute here.