The woman behind the scholarship
MEET SUDINE RILEY
Who is Sudine Riley?
Growing up in an underserved community in Jamaica, Sudine Riley witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of systemic injustice. Her mother, a hardworking woman who balanced multiple jobs, and her father, a golfer’s caddy, instilled in her the values of resilience, perseverance, and dedication. From an early age, Sudine saw young people in her community experience the consequences of wrongful arrests and accusations—experiences that could alter the course of their lives. These observations sparked her desire to become a force for change and ultimately shaped her path toward a career in law.
At the age of 10, she joined her local police youth club, allowing her an early start to her journey for justice. In high school, Sudine served on her student council for five years and partook in national debate competitions. Through these experiences, she developed not only critical thinking and advocacy skills, but also interests in community service, as well as the relationship between individuals and the institutions responsible for protecting them.
Now, as a Black woman working in the criminal justice system, Sudine has built her career in an environment where strong legal knowledge must be accompanied by sound judgment, resilience, professionalism, and the ability to advocate thoughtfully for others.
Her commitment to the legal profession extends beyond representing individual clients. Sudine believes in the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of Black legal professionals and ensuring that students entering the field understand the responsibility that comes with working within the justice system.
WHY THIS Program?
turning experience into opportunity
On January 23, 2026, Sudine Riley was involved in an incident at the Superior Court of Justice in Oshawa following the completion of a criminal trial. According to public statements made by Ms. Riley and her counsel, she was working in a courthouse interview room when an interaction with Durham Regional Police officers escalated and resulted in her arrest and detention. Ms. Riley has alleged that excessive force was used during the encounter. Durham Regional Police subsequently acknowledged the allegations and referred the matter to York Regional Police for a criminal investigation. The investigation remains ongoing.
The incident brought renewed attention to important questions about safety, dignity, equality, and the experiences of Black legal professionals within the justice system. Legal organizations have publicly expressed concern and emphasized the importance of ensuring that lawyers and other participants in the justice system can perform their roles safely and without intimidation or discrimination.
For Sudine, the experience reinforced something that has long been important to her: representation matters.
Black students entering the legal profession deserve opportunities to develop their skills, build confidence, and see themselves as capable participants in the justice system.
The Sudine Riley Scholarship Program was created with that purpose in mind.
