About Us

Different Hues. Different Views.

The Green Line is an award-winning, hyperlocal publication that delivers information you can actually use in your daily life. Our team investigates the way Torontonians live to report on solutions, actions and resources that help you become happier in our city. We also create fun spaces where you can find your people and form a community. We're Torontonians just like you who want everyone to not just survive, but thrive, in this rapidly changing city we call home.

WHAT'S OUR GOAL?

How many people do you know who don’t trust the news or are bored by it? (Yeah, same here.) That's why we’re on a mission to make important information less boring and more user-friendly. Our Action Journeys are solutions-focused to help more Torontonians feel like they can thrive here.
We’re people just like you who love our city, but can get stressed out by it, too. We’re also tired of the news highlighting only problems, with no solutions. That’s why our team is working with you to redefine the way local information is produced and delivered, so regular Torontonians actually find it useful.
After working in journalism for two decades, with experience across North America, our editor-in-chief Anita Li noticed that news media often fails to serve communities with information they actually need. So, she set out to create a Toronto-based publication that focuses on highlighting much-needed solutions to local problems. The Green Line soft-launched in October 2021 on social media. In April 2022, we officially launched this website, where we debuted our Action Journey™, an original theory-of-change model that provides Torontonians with concrete resources to help themselves and others navigate life in our city.
Locals know that “the green line” refers to Line 2 Bloor–Danforth on the TTC, which travels from Kennedy Station in the east to Kipling Station in the west. For many Torontonians, including members of our team, it’s their only way to feel connected to the rest of the city. That’s why the name, The Green Line, felt right — it symbolizes real, everyday people in Toronto.

OUR TEAM

Anita Li
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ANITA
LI

SHE/HER

Longtime journalist, media consultant and educator. Forever Scarborough native who now lives with her husband Lucan and cat twins in their century-old home in Leslieville.

Julia Lawrence
CONSULTANT

JULIA
LAWRENCE

SHE/HER

Aspiring film photographer who studies journalism, communication and design at Toronto Metropolitan University. Visits beaches at 6 a.m. to clear her head.

Danish Anwar
COMEDIAN

DANISH
ANWAR

HE/HIM

Toronto-based standup comedian with poor taste in music. Do not consume on an empty stomach.

STAFF

Amanda Seraphina James Rajakumar BW
COMMUNITY PRODUCER

AMANDA
SERAPHINA
JAMES
RAJAKUMAR

SHE/HER

Indian immigrant with a post-grad in journalism from Centennial College. Now living in Grange Park. Often has her four names confused as two different people, so it’s a pick-your-player situation.

Adele Lukusa BW
ENGAGEMENT REPORTER

ADELE
LUKUSA

SHE/HER

Graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University and Kitchener native enamoured with Toronto. Lover of Jamila Woods. Currently working on supporting mutual aid efforts and unpacking the nuances of Black haircare.

Lanxin Jiang BW
MEMBERSHIP AND REVENUE STRATEGIST

LANXIN
JIANG

SHE/HER

Chinese-Canadian living in Oakville. Currently working in the non-profit space supporting Social Purpose Organizations with capacity-building. Passionate about storytelling, impact measurement and bubble tea.

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VIDEO PRODUCER

ANTHONY
LIPPA-HARDY

HE/HIM

Mississauga native currently studying journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University. Loves to explore different visual mediums to tell impactful stories that need to be seen.

Hans Xu black and white
DEVELOPER AND DIGITAL COORDINATOR

HANS
XU

HE/HIM

Full-stack developer passionate about making accessible, easy-to-use software. Staunchly anti-bloat, but learns React out of necessity. Interested in cybersecurity and best practices for online privacy.

yara's headshot
ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

YARA
EL MURR

SHE/HER

Award-winning journalist with experience covering the environment, migration and labour. Lover of cats, crafts and kibbeh. Hailing from Lebanon, living in Moss Park.

 

Abbie's headshot
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

ABBIE
NORTH

SHE/HER

Vancouver Island native now studying in Toronto. Wakes up early for no apparent reason and always says yes to an iced Americano.

James Westman Headshot
ENGAGEMENT REPORTER

JAMES
WESTMAN

HE/HIM

Humber journalism graduate. Existential threat observer. Explored every park and trail in Toronto, with a map to prove it. Believes the Leslie Street Spit is the city's best hidden gem.

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DATA AND SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYST

ALANNA
GARAGLIANO

SHE/HER

Californian who came to Toronto Metropolitan University to pursue her social work dreams. Advocating for accessibility when she’s not reading tarot cards to dictate her routine.

Sebastian Tansil bio
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEAD

SEBASTIAN
TANSIL

HE/HIM

Caring mastermind who loves spending quality time with friends and family. Empathetic and precise economist by training. Loves amber yellow as it reminds him of people dearest to him.

Sahaana_Headshot
NEWS INNOVATION FELLOW

SAHAANA
RANGANATHAN

SHE/HER

Toronto Metropolitan University Master of Journalism graduate with a passion for community-based storytelling. Currently living in the Annex. Always down to get matcha or milk tea.

Junaid Ahmed
SOCIAL MEDIA INNOVATION FELLOW

JUNAID
AHMED

HE/HIM

Mississauga-raised writer trained in literature, peace and conflict studies, humour theory and rhetoric. Loves the rhythms of everyday speech. Peace advocate — even if he can barely keep the peace between his cats.

Lillie head shot
NEWS VIDEO INNOVATION FELLOW

LILLIE
COUSSÉE

SHE/HER

Mississauga native currently studying journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University. An avid reader who loves to play outside. Wants to connect with people through the power of visual storytelling.

Sierra Tavener
STORYWORKS INTERN

SIERRA
TAVENER

SHE/HER

Small town escapee. Trivia-loving Greektown-based journalism student. In last year at Centennial College and eager to stir things up one Oxford comma at a time

Andrew bio pic
STORYWORKS INTERN

ANDREW
ROCK

HE/HIM

Malvern native and student in Centennial College's journalism program. Gardening enthusiast, avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction, and lover of all things sci-fi and fantasy.

Chun He bio
ALEXANDRA PARK YOUTH JOURNALIST

CHUN
HE

HE/HIM

Immigration lawyer keen to amplify marginalized perspectives. Lover of coffee and biking in heavy traffic. Raised in the GTA and newcomer to Kensington Market.

Jayden Eng
ALEXANDRA PARK YOUTH JOURNALIST

JAYDEN
ENG

HE/HIM

Passionate badminton player, performing artist and aspiring investor looking to reconnect with the community. Born in Toronto and spent several years in Bangkok before returning home.

Ron Sanchez bio pic
ALEXANDRA PARK YOUTH JOURNALIST

RON
SANCHEZ

HE/HIM

Volleyball player and music listener. Frequent volunteer at Scadding Court Community Centre.

Enze Chen bio
ALEXANDRA PARK YOUTH JOURNALIST

ENZE
CHEN

HE/HIM

Freelance photographer and aspiring writer. Proud Alexandria Park-enjoyer for more than seven years.

eugene
DOCUMENTER

EUGENE
SLONIMEROV

HE/HIM

A Belarusian-Canadian who specializes in urban and conflict studies and the arts. Cares about abandoned public spaces, community building, mapping memories and solving the housing crisis. Kensington Market is home.

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DOCUMENTER

KAREN
CHAN

SHE/HER

A Chinatown-based artist, graduate of University of British Columbia and a bunny mom. She is interested in storytelling to build community.

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DOCUMENTER

TAYLOR
SIMSOVIC

SHE/HER

University of Toronto graduate and community worker living in Little Italy with her four rescue pets. Passionate about tackling food insecurity and engaging communities.

FREELANCERS

Steven Zhou
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

STEVEN
ZHOU

HE/HIM

Investigative journalist, producer and editor based in City Place focusing on extremism, politics and Islamophobia.

Aparita Bhandari
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

APARITA
BHANDARI

SHE/HER

Grew up in New Delhi before moving to Toronto to study English lit at University of Toronto. Now lives near Yonge and Finch. Tells print and audio stories, while trying to resist Toblerone bars.

Shireen Ahmed
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

SHIREEN
AHMED

SHE/HER

Multiplatform sports journalist. Instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University. Loves sports, but doesn't love the systems of oppression that surround them. Proud resident of Mississauga. Adores cats. Drinks coffee as a tool of resistance.

Huda Hassan
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

HUDA
HASSAN

SHE/HER

Writer from Scarborough, Black feminist cultural studies scholar and eldest daughter. Currently examining the connections between art, place-making and power.

Photo of freelance repoter Megan Kinch
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

MEGAN
KINCH

SHE/THEY

Labour journalist and union electrician from Toronto. Most recently published in Briarpatch Magazine, West End Phoenix and Spacing. A resident of Kensington Market who enjoys playing weird music in the park late at night.

Photo of Teru Ikeda
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

TERU
IKEDA

HE/HIM

Freelance writer in an AI world. Shooting mid-range jumpers in 2024. Walking contradiction and aspiring basketball nerd.

Anthony Milton headshot square
FREELANCE ELECTIONS REPORTER

ANTHONY
MILTON

HE/HIM
Born and raised in Toronto, now based at College Street and Dovercourt Road. Toronto Metropolitan University Master of Journalism grad. Writes about politics and culture in the city.
Photo of Camilla Faragalli
FREELANCE REPORTER

CAMILLA
FARAGALLI

SHE/HER

Italian-Canadian with a post-grad degree in journalism from Centennial College. Focused on social issues and interested in the words we choose to tell our stories. Fierce devil’s advocate with a good chance of winning at Scrabble.

Aloysius Wong
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

ALOYSIUS
WONG

HE/HIM

Toronto Metropolitan University Master of Journalism graduate. Lives in North York where he prays that the Eglinton Crosstown will eventually be completed.

Isabel Armiento B&W
FREELANCE REPORTER

ISABEL
ARMIENTO

SHE/HER

Book lover and freelance journalist living in the Annex. Works as the editorial director of Aardvark Book Club. Curled up with a good book or in a mosh pit (there’s no in-between).

Masahda Lochan-Aristide BW
FREELANCE REPORTER

MASAHDA
LOCHAN-ARISTIDE

SHE/HER

Scarborough native pursuing her journalism degree at Toronto Metropolitan University. Passionate about travel. Currently writing to highlight arts and culture, and its place in society.

Photo of Jacob Krone.
FREELANCE VIDEO EDITOR

JACOB
KRONE

HE/HIM

Mississauga native and graduate of McMaster University’s psychology, neuroscience and behaviour program. Currently exploring storytelling through video.

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FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

KAITLYN
SMITH

THEY/THEM

Published author, national politics linguist and immigration reporter, and investigative data journalist living and reporting in Morningside, Treaty 13.

Aneesa Bhanji BW
FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

ANEESA
BHANJI

SHE/HER

Journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University who's also studying communications and design. Grew up in Vaughan, now living in the Financial District. Always loves a good chai latte.

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FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER

CHRISTIAN
PEĂ‘A

HE/HIM

Independent freelance photographer specializing in online and print news, corporate photography and documentary film projects. Previously featured in Now Magazine, The Green Line, The Toronto Star, CBC, The Globe and Mail, The Hoser and Rabble.

Didhiti Kandel BW
FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND VIDEO EDITOR

DIDHITI
KANDEL

SHE/HER

Nepalese-Canadian journalist living in Scarborough City Centre. Avid hydration advocate who loves to binge-read books in one sitting. Make sure you're drinking water.

We do what we do because of you. Help us keep going so we can continue sharing information you can use, and hosting fun events you actually want to attend.

WHO WE ARE

This is what The Green Line is all about. Find out what we stand for and who we work with.

LETTER FROM THE TEAM

Hey! Anita here. It's easy to feel pessimistic and cynical about our city when the news constantly tells you to be. But in actual reality, there are more Torontonians who get along than not, and more joy than heartache to be found here — even when things have honestly gotten tougher for everyone lately. Most of all, there are so many people who try to make this place better every day, and that's the reason why I started The Green Line — to bring these people together and to share their stories. Some of them even work here, so don't take it from me. Here's what the team has to say:

ANITA LI

Signature 2

Founder & Editor-in-Chief
The Green Line

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