Ariam shares how she came to Canada at three years old with her family from Eritrea. She notes the word “refugee” can invite pity, and she believes in a strengths-based lens. She conveys how she volunteers with many youth and finds them insightful and has much to offer. She voices that it is okay to hold multiple truths and that it is important to create an anti-racist Calgary through belonging.
Ariam is a passionate community connector dedicated to the social and civic inclusion of immigrants and other equity deserving community groups. Known as a serial volunteer, Ariam has more than 12 years of experience with Calgary-based organizations including various City of Calgary committees, the Calgary Foundation, and CommunityWise’s work in Anti-Racism Organizational Change (AROC). In addition, she is also a co-founder of BlackCAN, formerly Black Voters Matter Canada and supports many grassroots initiatives. Ariam is also an active member of Calgary’s Eritrean community, sitting as the Vice-President of YYC Eritreans where she aims to empower Eritrean youth by creating opportunities and advocating for the inclusion of their voices in Calgary organizations and institutions. For her efforts and accomplishments, Ariam was named one of the 20 Compelling Calgarians for 2016 by the Calgary Herald, and received the Achievement under 40 Award at the Immigrant of Distinction Awards 2015 by Immigrant Services Calgary.
