Background
Mark Simms was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Jane and Finch alongside childhood friend, Paul Nguyen.
Mark Simms was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Jane and Finch alongside childhood friend, Paul Nguyen.
Simms is the executive producer for the community website, Jane-Finch.com. He frequently appears as a motivational speaker and guest lecturer for events aimed at children and youth. In 2016, Simms appeared on Canadian Broadcasting Company"s Marketplace to investigate racism in Canada.
Simms is an outspoken advocate for the Jane and Finch community.
He comments on issues of gangs, drugs and crime. In 2006, Simms opposed the installation of police cameras in Jane and Finch on Canadian Broadcasting Company"s Metro Morning with Andy Barrie.
In 2007, he spoke out on behalf of the Manners family during the 2007 murder of Jordan Manners. Simms has commented on various topics and issues surrounding the Jane and Finch area.
December 28, 2005 - Simms appeared on Global News to talk about gang warfare.
November 9, 2005 - Simms appeared on Canadian Broadcasting Company News: Today with Nancy Wilson to talk about the underground documentary, "The Real Toronto". August 1, 2006 - Simms on Radio Canada International to talk about street gangs in Toronto. May 24, 2007, Simms appeared on Canadian Broadcasting Company News Morning with Heather Hiscox to talk about the Jordan Manners shooting.
May 24, 2007, Simms appeared on CTV"s The Verdict with Paula Todd to discuss the Jordan Manners shooting.
June 21, 2007 - Simms spoke to Canadian Broadcasting Company News host Nancy Wilson about gangs and the "no-snitch" culture. Summer 2007, Simms discusses his involvement with the fifth estate documentary Lost in the Struggle in the Ryerson Review of Journalism.
October 6, 2008 - Simms was appeared on the Canadian Broadcasting Company French Radio program Désautel to talk about gang crime in Jane and Finch. January 12, 2010, Simms appeared on Sun television to discuss Jane-Finch.com"s impact to the Jane and Finch community.
May 20, 2011, Simms spoke to host Karen Horsman on Canadian Broadcasting Company"s Metro Morning to express the community"s feelings of the non-guilty verdict in the Jordan Manners" trial.
February 26, 2016, Simms spoke to host Sheila Coles on Canadian Broadcasting Company"s Morning Edition talking about his experience with racism in Canada. The film featured Vietnamese-Canadian rapper, Chuckie Akenz. Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter (associate producer) (Canadian Broadcasting Company Television, the fifth estate, 2012)
If Jutsice Fails (actor) (Canadian Broadcasting Company Television, the fifth estate, 2007)
Ian Jones: Activist and Artist, How the Steelpan is Changing Lives (editor) (Bravo!/Leda Serene Films, 2007)
Lost in the Struggle (associate producer) (Canadian Broadcasting Company Television, the fifth estate, 2006)
Know Your Rights (cast), Jane-Finch.com (2010)
Hustle On by Blacus Ninjah (director), Jane-Finch.com (2005).