Black women launch summit for global advocacy

A new initiative launching in Edmonton this weekend is designed to support and inspire young Black women and girls to pursue careers in leadership, diplomacy and global advocacy. The Lead-Her-Ship Summit, hosted by the Ubora Women’s Initiative, will bring together participants aged 15 to 25 for a day of workshops, panels and mentorship focused on creating confident, capable changemakers.

The event is the first major project from Ubora, a women-led organization founded earlier this year by Asha Jama, Mabel Adesopo and Mabinotu Ouattara. Their mission is to build opportunities for African, Black and Caribbean women and girls to step into leadership roles at both national and international levels.

Ubora takes its name from the Swahili word for excellence, a value reflected in the group’s vision. The idea for the initiative took shape after Jama represented Canada at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. That experience, she said, made the lack of diverse representation in diplomacy strikingly clear.

“I saw how few women of colour are in those spaces,” Jama said. “We want to create pathways so our voices are heard at decision-making tables.”

The summit, scheduled for Saturday, includes a full slate of guest speakers and mentors. According to Adesopo, participants will hear directly from professionals of colour who have broken barriers and succeeded in their fields. The goal is to provide real-world insight and inspiration while also encouraging honest conversations about the obstacles many face.

Organizers were surprised by the overwhelming response to the call for applications. Requests came not only from across Canada, but also from international applicants, exceeding the limited number of spots available.

“This tells us there’s a huge need for this kind of programming,” said Ouattara, who serves as Ubora’s executive director. “Young women are ready to lead. They just need the tools, the space and the support.”

With its inaugural event, Ubora hopes to spark long-term change by building a new generation of leaders who are prepared to engage with the world and reshape it.

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  Edmonton, Edmonton Alberta