St. James Town’s opera singer Pepper Espin turns music into a force for community and inclusion

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St. James Town, one of Toronto’s most diverse and densely populated neighbourhoods, continues to show how creativity and care can build belonging even in challenging times. Known for its tall apartment towers and aging infrastructure, this community thrives on the resilience and imagination of its residents. Earlier this month, Regent Park TV visited St. James Town for the unveiling of Many Peoples Under One Sky – Winchester Park Mosaic, a public art project celebrating unity and cultural pride. Among the performers was opera singer Pepper Espin (they/them), who performed alongside the Epic Choir, their powerful voices filling the park with a sense of hope and connection. Born in Mexico, Espin is an opera singer, drag performer, and peer support worker who rebuilt their life in Toronto after surviving a transphobic attack in 2021. When they arrived, they found refuge and friendship at The Corner on Wellesley Street East — a vital hub where neighbours help one another find stability and purpose. Pepper first shared their story during the St. James Town Community Summit: Emerging Innovations & Ideas, speaking about music as a form of healing. Earlier this year, they also served as Trans Ambassador for Pride Toronto, continuing their advocacy for inclusion and visibility within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Espin’s journey reminds us that St. James Town’s strength lies in its people — in those who transform hardship into hope and build community through song and compassion.

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