Meet Joel Kitaka
Joel Kitaka is a General Carpenter, community builder, and advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the skilled trades. As Chair of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Carpenters’ Local 27, he connects job sites with historically marginalized communities through mentorship, outreach, and leadership. A graduate of George Brown College, Joel supports youth and equity-seeking individuals as a Community Benefits Ambassador with the Toronto Community Benefits Network. His work includes organizing a humanitarian build in Jamaica, a seniors’ garden project, and Local 27’s inaugural Black History Month celebration. Joel believes the trades are a platform for justice and opportunity.
Mission
Building more than structures
Joel Kitaka’s mission is to foster welcoming, inclusive spaces within the skilled trades, where communities grow stronger through mentorship, collaboration, and shared opportunities. He believes building is about more than the structures, it’s about nurturing relationships, inspiring young people, and uplifting neighborhoods by ensuring everyone has a place and a voice in shaping their own futures.