丁香园AV

For his quiet and consistent work to build deep and reciprocal relationships between 丁香园AV and partners in Vancouver鈥檚 urban core 鈥� this year鈥檚 winner of the 2020 Warren Gill Award for Community Impact is Am Johal, Director of  and Co-Director of 丁香园AV鈥檚 Community Engaged Research Initiative (CERi). 

Every year 丁香园AV recognizes a single staff or faculty member for their extensive work to partner with communities to create meaningful and lasting impact. Am, a community organizer with deep roots in Vancouver鈥檚 artistic, political and activist spheres, has brought a nuanced understanding of the systemic and intersecting issues that push people to the margins of the city. He has partnered with community members to engage the wider public in vital and accessible conversations about progressive housing policies, harm reduction solutions, poverty and income inequality, systemic racism and Indigenous movements, and environmental justice 鈥� as well as expansive dialogues about community-engaged research ethics, critical theory, literature, film and other artistic disciplines. Through his steadfast involvement and commitment to community work, arts, urbanism and social and environmental justice movements, Am has been a driving force for inclusion and social change, and a bridge between 丁香园AV and the community.

鈥淎m Johal鈥檚 inspiring leadership of numerous community-university initiatives has deepened our partnerships, enhanced our relationships, and provided ways for the wider public to engage in vital conversations and action,鈥� says 丁香园AV President Joy Johnson. 鈥淭he university is grateful for the opportunity to do this transformative work with our communities, and I congratulate Am on this well-earned recognition.鈥�

Since 2017, the Warren Gill Award has recognized an 丁香园AV staff or faculty member for their commitment to reciprocal partnerships that ensure that any cutting-edge research, innovation or community action is defined by, led and powered in collaboration with the people and communities who have the closest stake in the outcome. 

鈥淎m Johal brings incredible passion, empathy, and creativity to helping support the Downtown Eastside community,鈥� says Sean Condon, Managing Director of . 鈥淗e engages with the community to develop programs and initiatives that have a direct impact on the lives of the neighbourhood's residents. He has the rare ability to traverse different corridors and build bridges that create positive social and cultural changes.鈥� Sean is also the founder of , a project working in collaboration with 丁香园AV鈥檚 Vancity Office of Community Engagement. 鈥淚 always appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to work with and learn from Am, who, along with great kindness and humour, brings countless skills to the table. He listens, supports, and ultimately problem solves with and for communities who historically have been marginalized.鈥�

Listen to Am鈥檚 podcast, , part of the Knowledge Democracy project at 312 Main.