About Us

Different Hues. Different Views.

The Green Line is a hyperlocal news outlet that investigates the way we live to help young and other underserved Torontonians survive and thrive in a rapidly changing city. Together, let’s breathe new life into Toronto’s conversations so we can build a livable city for all. 

HOW WE BEGAN

After working in journalism for two decades, with multi-platform experience at both legacy Canadian institutions and digital American publications, our EIC Anita noticed that news media often failed to accurately reflect many communities they claim to serve, especially underrepresented ones. So, she set out to create a more self-aware, inclusive, equitable and community-driven local outlet in Toronto that focuses on much-needed solutions in its reporting. In 2020, The Green Line began as just a germ of an idea.
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.
The Green Line soft-launched in October 2021 on Instagram and TikTok, which feature community-driven articles tailored to those platforms. In April 2022, we officially launched TheGreenLine.TO, where we debuted our Action Journey, an original theory-of-change model that encourages Torontonians to create positive social change in their communities after consuming our journalism.
By embracing ethical and innovative approaches to journalism, our hope is that we can create a trusted hyperlocal news outlet that will serve Torontonians and cover the city as our communities see it for decades to come. Perhaps one day, The Green Line will pop up in other rapidly changing cities across Canada, producing forward-thinking journalism that helps community members there survive and thrive on their own terms.

OUR TEAM

Anita Li
FOUNDER 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
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER AND COMMUNITY PRODUCER

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.

Aneesa Bhanji BW
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

ANEESA
BHANJI

SHE/HER

Currently a journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University who's also studying communication and design. Grew up in Vaughan, now living in downtown Toronto. Always loves a good chai latte.

Georgina Parker BW
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR AND ASSISTANT EDITOR

GEORGINA
PARKER

SHE/HER

Born and raised in Toronto, currently completing a Bachelor of Journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University. Can most commonly be found attending concerts and learning random facts about animals.

STAFF

Aloysius Wong
DIGITAL COORDINATOR

ALOYSIUS
WONG

HE/HIM

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

Photo of Mahdis Habibinia, Elections Fellow for The Green Line
COMMUNITY PRODUCER

MAHDIS
HABIBINIA

SHE/HER

An Iranian-Canadian who immigrated to Toronto at age 4. Master of Journalism graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University. Avid true crime binger who wholeheartedly supports the Oxford comma.

Photo of Amit Nehru
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND NEWS INNOVATION FELLOW

AMIT
NEHRU

HE/HIM

A Scarborough native and graduate of McMaster University's Bachelor of Health Sciences program. His preferred destination is the nearest library or hiking trail.

Photo of Alex Treadaway
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND NEWS INNOVATION FELLOW

ALEX
TREADAWAY

HE/HIM

A UK native who now calls Toronto home and a Modern History & Politics graduate of the University of Manchester. Certified music geek, political junkie and sitcom superfan.

Kuwarjeet Singh Arora BW
NEWS INNOVATION FELLOW

KUWARJEET
SINGH ARORA

HE/HIM

Brampton-based Sikh journalist dedicated to innovative multimedia storytelling. Passionate about covering underrepresented community stories. Loves spending time with family and friends, photography and podcasting.

Lanxin Jiang BW
NEWS AND IMPACT INNOVATION FELLOW

LANXIN
JIANG

SHE/HER

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

Adele Lukusa BW
NEWS INNOVATION FELLOW

ADELE
LUKUSA

SHE/HER

A graduate of TMU, Kitchener native enamoured with Toronto, and lover of Jamila Woods. Currently working on supporting mutual aid efforts and unpacking the nuances of Black haircare.

Photo of Camilla Faragalli
STORYWORKS INTERN

CAMILLA
FARAGALLI

SHE/HER

Toronto-based Italian-Canadian currently pursuing a post-grad degree in journalism at 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.

Photo of Aimi Mayne
STORYWORKS INTERN

AIMI
MAYNE

SHE/HER

Currently a postgraduate journalism student at Centennial College. Has spent half of her life in England, the other half in the Philippines and now a Toronto newcomer. Loves cat and dog memes, iced coffee in sub-zero weather and getting to know new cultures through its cuisine.

Photo of Chara Che
STORYWORKS INTERN

YUAN (CHARA)
CHE

SHE/HER

Toronto-based journo-in-training with a passion for adventure and a sharp eye for capturing life’s stunning moments. Grew up in China before moving to Canada a decade ago. Always on the hunt for new experiences.

FREELANCERS

Steven Zhou
FREELANCE FEATURE REPORTER

STEVEN
ZHOU

HE/HIM

An 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 U of T. 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 2023. A walking contradiction and aspiring basketball nerd.

Alex Varoutas
FORMER REPORTER AND NEWS INNOVATION FELLOW

ALEXANDROS
VAROUTAS

HE/HIM

Scarborough mans and former chef. Big advocate of pantry diversification. Using wasabi-flavoured peanuts to heal the world.

Dupe Badejo

FORMER ENGAGEMENT REPORTER AND NEWS INNOVATION FELLOW

DUPE
BADEJO

SHE/HER

Toronto by nature. Nigerian by design. Willowdale-bred. Graduate of Humber and George Brown College. Sharing the mic with the voiceless, and discovering different ways of life, one day at a time.

Without our team driving us forward, The Green Line can’t arrive at our next destination. Help keep us going so we can continue to tell stories that help underserved Torontonians navigate the city.

WHO WE ARE

A person’s values reveal so much about
their character, so in that spirit, here’s
what we stand for.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I created The Green Line for kid Anita, that born-and-bred Scarborough girl who grew up near McCowan and Finch feeling disconnected from the rest of Toronto, but who also had a lot of pride in who she was and where she came from. Growing up, I often made the long trek downtown — the symbolic centre of Toronto — by taking the 129 bus near my childhood home to the RT, before transferring to Kennedy and heading west on the green line for school, work and play.

There are a lot of kids like that across this city. Some of them come from Rexdale, others from Willowdale. But all of us share the same deep connection to the places that shaped who we are today.

And who are we today? Gen Zs. Millennials. Underserved Torontonians. In other words, the driving force behind Toronto’s culture and sense of community. So, now is the time to pay it forward by taking action on the issues that matter to us and our people.

Join The Green Line movement. Help us redefine Toronto through the way we live and the stories we tell.

ANITA LI

Founder & Editor-in-Chief
The Green Line

Need to reach us? We’re here for you.

Today’s stories lead to tomorrow’s solutions, so sign up for our newsletter to take action on the issues you learn about in The Green Line.