Tonya Williams, a 2025 inductee into the Canada Walk of Fame, is an award-winning actress and advocate with British, Canadian, and American citizenship. She is best known for her 19-year role on "The Young and The Restless." While working on the show, she founded and currently serves as the executive director of the Reelworld Film Festival, now known as Reelworld Screen Institute. The organization focuses on creating opportunities for Black, Indigenous, Asian, and People of Color within the Canadian screen industries.  
 
Tonya has received various accolades, including two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series, the 2023 Visionary Award from the Legacy Awards, and the 2024 Changemaker Award from the Canadian Screen Awards.