Picture a Canadian journalist and activist who turned the spotlight on systemic racism with fearless prose and unyielding passion—meet Desmond Cole! From his bestselling book The Skin We're In to his powerful advocacy, Cole has become a transformative voice in Canada, challenging the myth of a post-racial nation with stories that demand change.
Born in Red Deer, Alberta, Cole’s journey as a storyteller and truth-teller has reshaped how Canadians confront issues like police brutality and racial profiling. His work blends sharp journalism with raw, personal narrative, making him a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the fight for racial justice.
The Making of Desmond Cole
Desmond Cole was born on April 9, 1982, in Red Deer, Alberta, and grew up in Oshawa, Ontario. His early life in predominantly white communities shaped his awareness of racial dynamics, planting the seeds for his activism. Cole briefly attended Queen’s University but left after two years, rejecting the idea that university was merely job training. Instead, he carved his own path in Toronto, writing for outlets like Torontoist and NOW Magazine, where his voice as a Black Canadian began to resonate.
His 2015 essay for Toronto Life, “The Skin I’m In,” marked a turning point. Chronicling over 50 instances of being carded by Toronto police, Cole exposed the pervasive reality of racial profiling. The essay’s impact launched him into the national spotlight, setting the stage for his multifaceted career as a journalist, broadcaster, and activist.
Desmond Cole’s Unforgettable Stories
Cole’s first book, The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power (2020), is a searing nonfiction work that chronicles 2017, a pivotal year in Canada’s struggle against racism. Structured month-by-month, it weaves personal experiences with stories of systemic injustice, from police brutality to child welfare disparities. The book became Canada’s bestselling nonfiction title of 2020, lauded for its unflinching honesty and call to action.
His earlier essay, “The Skin I’m In” (2015), laid the groundwork. Published in Toronto Life, it won three National Magazine Awards and inspired a 2017 CBC documentary of the same name, directed by Charles Officer. The documentary amplified Cole’s message, exploring anti-Black racism across Canada. Cole’s writing style is direct yet evocative, blending investigative rigor with lived experience, making complex issues accessible and urgent.
As a columnist for the Toronto Star (2015–2017), Cole tackled race and justice head-on, though he resigned after editors criticized his activism, particularly his protest at a Toronto Police Services Board meeting. His radio show on Newstalk 1010 (2015–2020) further showcased his ability to spark dialogue, cementing his role as a cultural provocateur.
Why Desmond Cole Matters
Desmond Cole’s impact lies in his refusal to let Canada hide behind its multicultural facade. By exposing systemic racism in policing, education, and beyond, he has forced a reckoning with uncomfortable truths. His work has galvanized movements like Black Lives Matter Toronto and inspired a new generation of activists to demand accountability. The surge in The Skin We're In sales during 2020’s global anti-racism protests underscores his relevance, earning him the 2020 Toronto Book Award.
Cole’s legacy is his ability to blend storytelling with advocacy, making the personal political. He challenges readers to not just empathize but act, redefining what it means to be a Canadian in a nation grappling with its colonial past and present.
- Born: April 9, 1982, in Red Deer, Alberta
- Key Works: The Skin We're In (2020), “The Skin I’m In” (2015)
- Awards: 2020 Toronto Book Award, three 2015 National Magazine Awards
- Notable Roles: Former Toronto Star columnist, Newstalk 1010 host
About Desmond Cole
Snag The Skin We're In and dive into Desmond Cole’s unflinching world of truth-telling and resistance! His stories aren’t just reads—they’re a call to rethink and rebuild a more just Canada.