Sumaiyyah Adam
Sumaiyyah Adam is a Black Muslim community advocate and strategist dedicated to strengthening BIPOC-led organizations, amplifying underrepresented voices, and dismantling systemic barriers to equity and inclusion. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Global Affairs from the University of British Columbia, along with degrees in Political Science and Peace Studies.
Her career began as a Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Coordinator at Archway Community Resource Society, where she supported immigrant and refugee communities in navigating settlement services and fostering inclusive community planning. She later worked in DEI-focused roles, facilitating workshops for staff and youth to build understanding and engagement around equity and inclusion.
Currently, Sumaiyyah serves as Program Manager for the BUILD BC-Yukon Program at DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. In this role, she supports BIPOC-led grassroots organizations by guiding them through complex funding systems, strengthening governance, and building long-term sustainability. Under her leadership, the BUILDs initiative successfully transitioned from a pilot project into a fully funded, multi-year program. Sumaiyyah also leads Unity in Action: Dismantling Hate Together, an initiative responding to the rise of hate crimes and online hate targeting racialized communities in Surrey, BC. She spearheaded the Together Against Hate campaign, collaborating on community-informed multimedia resources and convening panels, forums, and discussions that raise awareness, promote resilience, and encourage reporting and support-seeking.
In addition to her professional work, Sumaiyyah serves on the Board of Foundation for a Path Forward, supporting initiatives focused on anti-racism, interfaith collaboration, and community safety. Grounded in faith, lived experience, and a commitment to justice, Sumaiyyah represents a new generation of leaders advancing equity-driven, community-centred change.
What are the most meaningful aspects of this person's work and life?
The most meaningful aspect of Sumaiyyah’s work is her deep call to service, grounded in an equity-driven, empathy-led, and strengths-based approach. Working across both direct and indirect services, she is intentional about ensuring that when she is not working directly with community members, the systems, programs, and organizations she supports are reflective of their lived realities and needs.
Sumaiyyah’s work focuses on strengthening the organizational growth and service delivery capacity of BIPOC-led grassroots organizations across British Columbia and the Yukon. She takes a tailored, strengths-based approach, meeting organizations where they are and supporting them on their own terms by honoring their leadership and community knowledge.
In her community mobilization and anti-racism work, Sumaiyyah works alongside community rather than speaking on behalf of them. She brings her full self into this work, drawing from her lived experience, faith, and educational background, allowing her to relate authentically and build trust while creating meaningful and lasting impact.
How has this individual overcome the challenges they face?
As a Black Muslim woman, Sumaiyyah has relied deeply on her values and faith to navigate spaces where she is often one of the very few, particularly within leadership and decision making environments. Rather than compromising her integrity or voice, she remains grounded in her principles and committed to equity-centered work.
Working in fields that confront racism, colonization, and systemic inequities presents both professional and personal challenges. Sumaiyyah often experiences these barriers firsthand while simultaneously working to dismantle them. In response, she consistently advocates for herself, speaks up when things are unfair, and challenges systems with clarity and care.
These challenges have not deterred her. In a world increasingly shaped by shockwaves of inhumanity, Sumaiyyah understands that her work cannot be separated from her values or faith. As a Muslim, she approaches leadership with a responsibility that extends beyond role or title, choosing to confront these realities with moral grounding and intention.
By intentionally intersecting her faith, lived experience, and work, these challenges have strengthened her resolve and continue to shape how she leads with purpose, and accountability.
How has this individual empowered you and/or our communities?
Sumaiyyah’s work is deeply aligned with her values and faith. As Muslims, we are called to serve, give, stand up for one another, and lead with kindness, and her work reflects this in action. One of her most impactful contributions is the Together Against Hate campaign, launched to address the rise of racism and online harm in Surrey.
At the centre of this work is building the capacity of community members, providing people with the tools, language, and resources to speak up, seek support, and feel less alone when facing hate or discrimination. Sumaiyyah ensures community representation is embedded throughout her initiatives, grounding them in local needs and lived experiences.
Beyond local initiatives, Sumaiyyah amplifies this work by speaking at conferences and convening panels and forums, recognizing that the work does not stop at the community level. She intentionally creates spaces that foster connection, knowledge-sharing, and collective care, leaving community members feeling more informed, supported, and connected.
Name a Black Muslim woman who has been an inspiration to you and why.
A Black Muslim woman who has been a profound source of inspiration throughout my life is my sister, Fatma Adam. As the firstborn daughter, she paved the way in more ways than she will ever know, creating space and possibility that allowed me to walk more confidently into my own path.
Fatma is a therapist who courageously stepped into private practice, leading with deep empathy and intention. Her commitment to healing, particularly within Black and Muslim communities, has shown me what it means to honour lived experience in practice and support people in ways that feel human. Watching her trust herself and centre her values has been a powerful lesson in self-belief and integrity, even when the path feels uncertain.
Beyond inspiring me professionally, Fatma has been a constant source of support and grounding in my life. She embodies what it means to lead with quiet strength, always reminding me that I am enough. In a world that often tries to tear you down or reshape you into something you’re not, her steadfastness in faith is a reminder to never turn away from who you are. Her lessons and guidance continue to shape how I show up in my leadership and in my relationship with myself.