About Us

TRAIL Movement Toronto

A Black queer refugee-led non-profit advancing healing, empowerment, and belonging for 2SLGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers.

TRAIL Movement Toronto (TMT) is governed by a leadership team of community-based volunteer leaders with lived refugee experience. Founded and led by Black and racialized queer refugees, we implement locally driven programmes focused on wellness, belonging, leadership, and culturally grounded care at the community level. As a newly established organization, TMT is strengthening its governance infrastructure, including the development of a formal Board of Directors and advisory partnerships.

2SLGBTQ+ community members together at a TMT gathering
TMT volunteers supporting community programming

Our mission

To build safe, affirming, and empowering spaces for Black, Brown, and racialized queer refugees and newcomers by fostering community, healing, and leadership through nature, movement, and culturally grounded programming.

Who we serve

Black, Brown, and racialized 2SLGBTQ+ refugees, refugee claimants, protected persons, asylum seekers, and newcomers living in Toronto particularly individuals experiencing social isolation, housing instability, financial insecurity, trauma, and barriers to culturally affirming support services.

Sustaining our work

TMT sustains programming through community partnerships, volunteer engagement, grassroots fundraising, grant applications, and peer leadership development—creating facilitators, ambassadors, and mentors within the refugee and newcomer community.

Types of work

  • Mental Health Services
  • Shelter
  • Advocacy
  • Community Integration
  • Wellness Programming
  • Entrepreneurship Support
  • Refugee Peer Support
Pride march honouring LGBTQ+ rights and community resilience

Leadership Team

Ricardo Simpson headshot

Ricardo Simpson

President & Chair

Ricardo Simpson (he/him) is a refugee protection advocate, community leader, and nonprofit professional committed to advancing wellness, belonging, and empowerment for Black, Brown, and racialized 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers and refugees in Canada. He serves as President and Chair of TRAIL Movement Toronto and currently works with an international human rights organization dedicated to creating pathways to safety for at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals around the world.

Previously, Ricardo served as a Lead Facilitator and Project Coordinator at a Toronto-based nonprofit organization, where he helped develop and coordinate wellness, settlement support, and community engagement programs for LGBTQ+ newcomers. His work is grounded in community building, refugee protection, and creating affirming spaces where marginalized communities can thrive.

Ricardo holds a Master's degree in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies from the University of London, a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of the West Indies, and postgraduate training in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. He also serves on the Board of the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA).

Dave Kerr headshot

Dave Kerr

Executive Director

Dave Kerr (he/him) is a leader in immigration advocacy, nonprofit leadership, refugee support, and human rights work, with a strong focus on queer refugees and marginalized communities. He studied Law at the University of London and brings experience across finance, insurance, immigration consulting, and nonprofit operations.

After relocating to Canada, he worked with a law firm focused on immigration and family law and now supports refugees and newcomers as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Dave also served in senior nonprofit leadership for close to five years in Canada and has spent more than a decade working with community organizations, stakeholders, and government officials in Canada and abroad to advance equity, inclusion, refugee protection, and social justice.

Marvin Samuels headshot

Marvin Samuels

Programs Manager

Marvin Samuels (he/him) is a finance professional with over 10 years of experience in banking and investment services, recognized for financial expertise, relationship management, and strategic leadership. Beyond finance, he is deeply committed to community development and newcomer support.

He has volunteered extensively with LGBTQ+ newcomers in Canada as a Volunteer Supervisor, helping participants gain work experience, build networks, and strengthen community connections. Marvin also supports displaced asylum seekers through Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) and Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) pathways. As Program Manager at TRAIL Movement, he leads community-focused initiatives that create opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.