Women Who Inspire Awards 2025

Zahra Grant is Black Muslim woman of Caribbean descent born and raised on the land of T’karanto (known as Toronto) which is territory is covered under Treaty #13 and the Williams Treaties, the land belonging and in care of many First Peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.  Zahra works professionally in governance but is an activist and community builder at heart, she believes in an Islam rooted in liberation and justice, especially as it pertains to women and currently serves on the National Board of Directors of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, an organization committed to justice and equality for Muslim women in Canada.

Habiba Diallo is the author of #BLACKINSCHOOL (University of Regina Press). She is the inaugural winner of the Senator Don Oliver Black Voices Prize for literary talent. She was a finalist in the 2020 Bristol Short Story Prize, the 2019 Writers’ Union of Canada Short Prose Competition, and the 2018 London Book Fair Pitch Competition. Her Netflix-sponsored debut short film, Black In School, was inspired by her book and made the official selection of film festivals across Canada. She is an activist in support of women’s maternal health. The federal government of Canada recognized Habiba as an outstanding woman in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in African Studies from the University of London (SOAS) and a postgraduate certificate in Public Health.

Ginella Massa is an award-winning Canadian broadcaster, media consultant and sought after public speaker. Ginella graduated with an Honours BA in Communication Studies at York University and has a diploma in Broadcast Journalism from Seneca College. She has worked in both TV and radio, behind the scenes and on air, at many of Canada’s major networks, including CTV, CityNews and CBC where she made history as the primetime host of “Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa”, making her North America’s first hijab-wearing national news anchor. As a Media Consultant and CEO of her own PR Firm, Massa Media and Communication, Ginella helps her clients build strong communications plans through both traditional and social media. She also has a passion for working with local community groups and nonprofits, helping bridge the media literacy gap, and changing the narrative of marginalized communities.