The thought of building cities compelled planning alumnus Eldon Theodore to begin his studies in architecture. But it was the support from people who believed in him and a curious fascination in urban planning that led him to transfer to the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo and ultimately a prominent career as Partner at MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Limited (MHBC), a top urban planning firm.
Growing up as a Black, first-generation Canadian in a single-parent household presented the harshness of racial discrimination and deep socioeconomic inequalities that exist today. Disproportionally black people and other marginalized groups are segregated from access to opportunities and upward mobility. It takes an immense amount of courage, sacrifice and conviction to tackle the unjust framework that not only built the institutions that make up our society but also the biases in people’s minds that perpetuate injustice. Because of Eldon’s dedication and the philanthropy shown to him, he was able to achieve his goal of obtaining a university education.
"In order to secure funds to be able to go to university, I needed a loan from the bank, and the bank would not loan money to myself or my mother. It was a friend of my mother's who was a white ally, who co-signed that loan for me —I did not know him that well, but he was more than happy to do that for me to give me that chance. Without that, I would have struggled financially and maybe not have made it through university at all,” said Theodore.
Eldon graduated with an Honours Bachelor Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo. At the time of his graduation, and while working a co-op position at the City of Kitchener, the then Director of Planning knew that MHBC was hiring. The Director recognized Eldon’s talent, work ethic and determination to succeed. She put in a good word at MHBC, helping him to secure a job with the firm which he has grown and excelled with for the last 19 years.
Today Eldon specializes in providing planning and urban design services to public and private sector clients across Ontario. He is also a registered professional planner, a Council Director for the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and he volunteers for a number of design review panels for municipalities across Ontario.
However, the path to becoming a planner is plagued with many obstacles, especially for black and indigenous students.
"One of those barriers is the financial side. I know how hard it can be not to have a family with the funds to make your university experience comfortable. Where you do not have to get a part-time job, or you do not have to worry about how much you are spending on something, where you do not have to choose between staying at home or going to live on residence, equity within that student level is a major part of the problem,” said Theodore."
Eldon recognized his responsibility to enact change and be an active participant in the transformation of a more just future. Through his leadership, MHBC established the MHBC Award for Black and Indigenous Students. A $2,500 annual award is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in year one or two in the School of Planning that self-identifies as Black or Indigenous.
Eldon and his Waterloo friends
"There are not many Black professionals in the planning industry, and even though there has been progress in all other groups, there has not been a substantial increase in the number of Black planners," Theodore says. "Not having that representation also impacts those at the table providing input and advice on policy and regulations that impact the built environment. If there are no black voices at the table, then there are no black voices that are helping to speak to the impact and inclusion of Black and Indigenous and other marginalized groups," said Theodore.
The world cannot be sustainable in the absence of equality and diversity. This generous and purposeful gift by MHBC aligns firmly with the Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment dedication to be a catalyst for environmental innovation and solutions, working together with our donors to create a sustainable future for all.
"It is about helping those understand the journey, the experience, that they may never had to face. This award will also bring up the question to others as to why is MHBC doing this? Why is it necessary to have that conversation? How we can play a bigger role, and how what we do daily impacts those communities. It is all connected," Theodore says.
"Small gestures like this award are what spurs other opportunities that allow for greater voices and greater diversity within schools, workplaces, and communities. We are building places for people. However, those places cannot be built solely by a select category of people; they should have voices that are reflective of the people that make up this country which continues to become more diverse every day."
Recipient Testimonial
“I am elated to be this year’s recipient of the MHBC Award for Black and Indigenous Students. I want to use this opportunity to show gratitude toward MHBC Planning for investing in me.
This fall, I start my second year in Planning, and I am incredibly excited to tackle my studies due to MHBC Planning’s generosity alleviating my financial anxieties. Besides monetary support, this award has made me feel confident and secure in my pursuit of higher education. As a shy black girl who does not take up a lot of space, it was invigorating to know that there are people who see a place for my voice in Planning.
Thank you, MHBC Planning, for acknowledging my dedication to my program and the Planning profession – I will not forget your kindness,” Lee-Anne McLeod
