Teenaz Javat

Working to Better Her Community

Teenaz Javat is an award-winning journalist whose work with CBC Radio has shone a light on the pressing issues facing the diverse communities in the GTA. Her research and leadership has garnered recognition from news organizations and community groups, both nationally and locally. Her stories have appeared in many print and online publications in Canada, India and Pakistan. 

As a senior writer for CBC, Teenaz contributes in-depth online features; researches story ideas for local television News at Six broadcasts, produces headline news for the CBC News Network and is a producer and researcher for CBC Radio’s Metro Morning show in Toronto. 

Teenaz was the lead researcher and producer of the show’s 2010 Townhall feature Turning Point which discussed several high profile domestic murders of South Asian women as well as other South Asian community issues. The program won the national and regional 2011 Adrienne Clarkson Awards for Diversity from the Radio Television News Directors Association of Canada. 

As prestigious as the award is, the Townhall did something more important for the community by bringing more awareness to a situation that was affecting a large segment of the GTA population. In early 2011 that discussion turned into government action when delegates from four GTA Police forces assembled for a conference at Queen’s Park on violence in the South Asian community and Teenaz again played an integral role as the emcee. 

“I was really happy that something I did on radio has made such a big impact on the community,” says Teenaz. 

“Violence in South Asian families wasn’t on the news. She made it a subject that people wanted to hear about and brought it to the forefront,” adds Joyce Wayne, Coordinator of the CJITW program during Teenaz’s tenure.

Joyce had enough confidence in Teenaz’ abilities to hire her as a part-time faculty shortly after graduation. Teenaz welcomes the opportunity to pass along her years of experience to up-and-coming journalists. 

“I think it strikes a chord that I’m giving back and more,” says Teenaz, who has also received recognition for her contributions in the form of two awards from the Ontario government in 2007. As well, she was featured in an exhibit celebrating the GTA’s 1,000 creative women at the 2008 Luminato Festival. 

Teenaz came to Canada in 1997 with several years of experience as a professional journalist but with a young daughter at home she was not ready to make the career transition right away. When she discovered a program that was designed for foreign trained professionals, her career took off. 

“I don’t think I would have achieved even half as much as I have without Sheridan,” says Teenaz, who also holds a Master of Economics and received the President’s medal upon her Sheridan graduation. 

In an industry where the strength of your contacts is of paramount importance, developing a network was a key task. For Teenaz, that started the very first day she stepped onto campus as she actively sought meaningful connections with both professors and peers. 

“I found a rich network of people at Sheridan which is so fantastic – as a journalist, you’re only as strong as your network.”