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Deana Sumanac-Johnson

@cbcdeana

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CBC News Senior Education Reporter. Occasionally hosts network programs, occasionally reports on other issues. Always curious.

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Here it is in full: my live report from the red carpet of the Glenn Gould Prize Gala honouring Sir Elton John ⭐️

A star-studded event is happening tonight in Toronto. Sir Elton John is being awarded the Glenn Gould Prize…one of the world’s most prestigious cultural honours. Some of the biggest names in entertainment are set to honour the legendary performer. Our own Christine Pagulayan is LIVE on the red carpet ahead of tonight’s gala and joins us now. (Originally aired on CBC News Network on May 9, 2026).

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Honoured to cover the Glenn Gould Prize Gala celebrating Sir Elton John for his legendary music career and lifelong humanitarian activism — what a night! Incredible chats with Canadian artists, unforgettable performances and a surprise onstage moment from Elton himself (still belting at 79!)! Huge thanks to Lauren, Jay and the teams at CBC News Social, Digi News, News Network, Your World Tonight and World Report — and to my family and friends for all the love and hype!

For my full reports, check out the links in my bio 🔗

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Most of you know us as Aspire to Inspire, but today I’m thrilled to share that we have a new name — “Renewed Joy Initiatives” — and that we are now officially a registered nonprofit! 🙏🏻

Ten years ago, I never could have imagined reaching this moment. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to a name I’ve held close for a decade, I’m so proud and excited to step into this next chapter.

It was an absolute honour to be interviewed by Deana Sumanac-Johnson at CBC. As many of you know, I spent years in journalism as a CTV news anchor and reporter, and I’ve received so much support throughout my career. To be on the other side of the story again, and to feel encouragement from our news networks means so much.

At Renewed Joy Initiatives, our mission is to serve hope among individuals who need a helping hand one person at a time. We focus on serving individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, loss, and life transitions, while spreading awareness and creating real change in people’s lives. Joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling — it’s internal, rooted in inherent worthiness, the reminder that every person is seen, valued, and loved.

I’m endlessly grateful for our incredible volunteers, business partners, and supporters. YOU are the heartbeat of this mission, and none of this would be possible without YOUR belief and dedication over the last ten years. I’m also so excited to soon introduce you to our Board of Directors, a passionate group helping guide this next chapter and bring our vision to life.

We look forward to bringing you our annual Christmas Drive every year and so many new initiatives that continue to make a real difference. Because it’s never about changing the whole world — it’s about changing one person’s world at a time. Being on the front lines reminds us all that kindness goes a long way. Even a simple smile to someone on the street can remind them that they are seen, loved, and valued. After all, we are all human beings.

Here’s to the next chapter, big dreams, ten years of proof that this work matters, and so much joy to renew — TOGETHER.

With love,
Rebecca 🤍✨

@aspiretoinspirewithbb
#renewedjoyinitiatives #community #nonprofit #homelessness #gta

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Our Founding Director Kiran Nazish believes that today’s women reporters step into their jobs prepared. They know the risks, they’ve built tools, communities, and support networks to face the hostility that can come with covering powerful figures. But preparation doesn’t make them invincible.
She highlights something we often forget: behind the bylines and broadcasts are human bodies. Constant attacks — even when expected — take a real physical and emotional toll.
This is why protecting press freedom means protecting women in the press. Their safety, wellbeing, and ability to report without fear matter to all of us.

[Women in journalism, women journalists, Women Press Freedom, CFWIJ, Donald Trump, United States, online trolling]

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In her interview with CBC News, CFWIJ Founding Director Kiran Nazish, following Donald Trump’s recent verbal attacks on women journalists, stresses why public participation and solidarity are essential in moments like these.

Women journalists play a crucial role in connecting the public to the information that leaders hold — and when they are targeted, it’s often an attempt to limit what the public can learn or question. Strengthening public awareness, supporting newsrooms, and standing together as communities are key steps in pushing back against censorship and silencing tactics.

This is a reminder that protecting women journalists isn’t just about safeguarding a profession — it’s about defending the public’s right to know.

[women journalists, President Donald Trump, United States, CFWIJ, Women Press Freedom, journalism, free speech, freedom of speech]

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When women journalists ask tough questions, they deserve answers — not insults. Yet in recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at several female reporters, calling them “ugly,” “stupid,” and “piggy.” This isn’t just hostility toward the press — it’s a gendered pattern that targets women for simply doing their jobs.

CFWIJ’s founding director, Kiran Nazish, spoke with CBC News' Deana Sumanac-Johnson about Trump’s repetitive attacks on women journalists, and why this behavior must stop — especially as press freedom issues continue to originate from the White House in the current U.S. political climate.

Silencing women with misogyny is unacceptable. Press freedom matters. Accountability matters. And women journalists deserve respect, not abuse. ✊📢

[Press freedom, Women in media, CFWIJ, Women Press Freedom, CBC News, Canada, journalism matters, stop the abuse, women journalists, women in journalism, US, President Donald Trump]

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It was an absolute honour to be invited to speak on CBC News Network with Deana Sumanac-Johnson on Sunday night! Her questions were exciting and allowed me to share some important insights about history education, inquiry-based learning and pedagogy and about how we can engage young people in doing history through projects like They Walked These Streets! Thank you to @cbcdeana for the experience and to Zena for production, Christina for make-up and Phil for filming it all! #Grateful #CBCLive! #bucketlist✅ #theywalkedthesestreets🇨🇦❤️ #remembranceday #MuseoBCI

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The 8am MT hosts of @cbcradiocanada’s World Report 🎤🎤🎤

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“Educators say Canada’s teacher shortage is at a crisis level. As CBC’s Deana Sumanac-Johnson explains, it’s less about attracting new teachers to the profession and more about retaining the ones who are already working.” @cbcdeana

As a teacher with over 20 years of classroom and SpecEd experience, I can understand why teachers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate. Decent pay, summers off, and excellent holiday breaks are not enough to keep teachers in the profession. Something has to change.

Thank you @cbc for putting a spotlight on the education crisis across Canada.

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Part 1 of my interview with @cbcdeana and the @cbcthenational team regarding current parenting trends. #parenting #gentleparenting #learning #therapy

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🌲 Join us for a special screening of “The Boy in the Woods” and a Q&A with director Rebecca Snow and Producer Robert Budreau, moderated by Deana Sumanac-Johnson!

“The Boy in the Woods” follows the true story of Max (Jett Klyne), a Jewish boy escaping Nazi persecution in Eastern Europe. After he is separated from his family, Max finds refuge with a Christian peasant Jasko (Richard Armitage) who hides him in plain site until a tense stand-off with some Nazi police. Afraid for his own family’s life, Jasko sends Max to live in the woods where he learns to survive alone.

🗓️ Thursday, July 4

🎟️ Link in bio

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It's high-time that we demand that Cultural Literacy- exploring issues of the intersections of identity, race, racism, etc- become a public education discipline with a full Kindergarten to Grade 12 strategy, as we do for math, physical education, English, etc.

EVERY. YEAR. IN. EVERY. CLASS

In 2024, we can either accept incremental gestures of tokenism, like Minister of Education @slecce 's recent announcements re: mandatory Black history learning, or we can do the real work, of creating something new and better- something that dismantles the harmful social construct of race, and the very real outcome of racism.

Money is a social construct too- it's not real. But when enough people believe in it, the outcome is very real

A provincial strategy for cultural literacy would make space for a better experience in this province, for all our kids.

Appreciate the team at @cbcthenational for shining a spotlight on this critical and timely conversation.

PS, JW rest in Power 💪🏾🫶🏾

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