Mayada Ageeb
Passionate about political and international affairs, Mayada holds a BA in Political Science from Concordia University and a Translation certificate from McGill University. She manages her own translation business and works at a Consulate in Montreal while also serving as Acting Secretary General of the Sudanese Canadian Association of Quebec. Across her roles, she contributes to diplomatic and community engagement initiatives, and plays an active role in advocacy for marginalized communities and community mobilization.
What are the most meaningful aspects of this person's work and life?
Mayada has an extremely kind, compassionate, and warm soul. This shows up both in the way she lives her life and in her work and community engagements. Mayada volunteered with a number of organizations and groups in Montreal, supporting different communities. Currently, she volunteers to help run the Sudanese Canadian Association of Quebec, which aims to foster communities, preserve Sudanese culture, integrate newcomers, and provide humanitarian assistance to those in the community who need it. She spends many hours collaborating on putting together programs, bazaars, cultural events and others for the Sudanese community in Quebec. Her past engagements include volunteering in the West Montreal Readaptation Center (WMRC) where she worked with disabled individuals on cognitive skills (reading, writing, drawing, etc.) and physical activities. She also volunteered for four years at the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal where she answered calls for the Elder Abuse Line and directed callers to professionals who can help them, as well as assisting isolated seniors with meal preparations, home visits, and leisure walks. She also offers translation services to various social services and causes. Over the past nine years, she has been a volunteer at CIMOI (Centre d'Intégration Multi-Services de l'Ouest-de-l'Île) where she assists newly arrived immigrants in accessing and understanding information and in practicing french language speaking.
How has this individual overcome the challenges they face?
Since I've known her both as a friend and as a volunteer in the community association, I have seen her show up through and through, in spite of how challenging it can get, with determination and tenacity. She embraces new challenges that arise with a great spirit and a warm smile. She works collaboratively with others to find solutions and move forward. She speaks her mind and shares valuable interventions and contributions.
How has this individual empowered you and/or our communities?
The most important thing for me, and many that know and love her, is her kindness. Mayada is a gentle-hearted and strong-minded intellectual. Her kindness and depth of character personally inspire me greatly. All the events that I attended, organized by her and others in the community, brought to me a lot of joy and appreciation. She also advocates a lot for immigration policies in support of Sudanese people. In times of great pain, it is people like Mayada that show up and brighten our days by bringing us together, and sharing a meal, laughter and a warm embrace.
Name a Black Muslim woman who has been an inspiration to you and why
Alaa Salah, the iconic voice of the 2019 Sudanese revolution and a global symbol of Black women’s leadership and resistance. Alaa's strength and courage inspire me as a Sudanese woman living in the diaspora, reminding me that one voice, grounded in conviction, can spark change and uplift an entire community.