Jani Toivola

Jani Toivola (1977) is a Finnish actor, director and author who has worked in the media industry since the early 2000s. He was the first elected black MP and was part of Finland’s Green Party between 2011-2019. 

Previously, Toivola has written two books about personal identity and parenting. Boy and the Red Skirt is his first children’s book, which he hopes would speak to everyone and remind them that there are no rules, and your own story can change the world.

Jani Toivola lives in Helsinki together with his school-aged child. As a former MP, he has an active presence in the media for pointing out social issues, as well as presenting everyday family life as a single gay parent. Parenthood inspires him in many ways and means the world to him. He openly talks about this in the public by sharing snapshots of his daily life to his 74k+ followers on Instagram. He believes in the strength of storytelling and how it can create conversation and enable change in society. 

“I think its important to encourage every child to focus on themselves more often. To have trust in their inner fire. I believe it carries one far in life, and ultimately strengthens the ability to empathize with others.”

– Jani Toivola

 

Photo: © Samuli Karala

 

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