time in government. She said "a government must reflect everyone in the province. But this government has compromised its base. I can't identify with this party." She stated that she would never again belong to a political party. After resigning from the government she returned to her former job as school principal. A by-election for the riding was subsequently called, but was superseded by the 1995 election. Cabinet positions After politics In 2003, Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Bob Runciman attributed some of Toronto's increasing crime rate in racialized neighbourhoods to poor leadership within the Savannah rose community. Runciman accused some members as trying to make a living off fuelling bad relations with Toronto Police. Akande, as a member of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations called the comments insulting. In 2004, she was awarded the Constance E. Hamilton Award for her work in addressing equity issues in the community. As of 2006, Akande was president of Harbourfront Centre and was serving on the boards of the YWCA and Centennial College. She is also a member of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations. She was also a founding member board of directors of Milestone Radio, owners of Canada's first urban music radio station, Flow 93.5 in Toronto. During the 2014 Toronto mayoral election Akande endorsed John Tory. In January 2018, Akande attended and spoke at the 2018 Women's March in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. In May 2018, Akande was honored with the YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Award. In October 2020, Akande endorsed Annamie Paul in the Toronto Centre by-election. References External links 1937 births Black Canadian politicians Black Canadian women Black Canadian activists Canadian people of Barbadian descent Canadian people of Saint Lucian descent Canadian schoolteachers Women government ministers of Canada Living people Members of the Executive Council of Ontario Ontario New Democratic Party MPPs Politicians from Toronto Women MPPs in Ontario University of Toronto alumni