The Walrus Lab
Igniting Potential In Our Communities
On Tuesday, November 16 from 12 pm–1 pm the YMCA of Greater Toronto and The Walrus Lab cohosted a virtual event about how the collective strength of an entire community can be realized when every obstacle is met with support, positivity and guidance. Couldn't make it? No problem. You can watch the video recording at your leisure. We hope you enjoy this thought-provoking discussion.
Host, Moderator and Panelists
Host: Medhat Mahdy is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto and President of YMCA Ontario. He is driven to help the Y promote equity and boost well-being across the GTA, because he believes we owe every individual the opportunity to shine.
Moderator: Ismaila Alfa, Host of Toronto's Metro Morning on CBC Radio One. Prior to joining CBC Radio in Winnipeg in 2008, Ismaila toured Canada and the United States as a hip hop musician. Having recently moved to Toronto, he has been busy exploring and learning about his new home.
Panelist: Vice President of Basketball & Franchise Operations at Raptors 905, Courtney M. Charles. He has a passion for inspiring and educating Toronto's youth through sports and creating spaces for them to grow and become critical thinkers.
Panelist: Mohamad Fakih, President and CEO of Paramount Fine Foods. Mohamad Fakih is an entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist. In 2006, he purchased a nearly bankrupt restaurant and transformed it into what is now known as the fastest growing Middle Eastern Halal restaurant chain in North America. As a community leader, Mohamad regularly participates in fundraisers and community events, supporting multiple causes and organizations.
Panelist: As Director of Advocacy and Programs at FoodShare, Katie German oversees programs happening in community and school spaces. Her community organizing work centres on mobilizing people with class privilege to redistribute their wealth, organizing her neighbourhood around issues of affordable housing, displacement and gentrification, and ending the school to prison pipeline.