About Rumina

My ancestors originate from the Middle East and made their way to India and more recently to East Africa.  My mother was born in Uganda, my father in Tanzania.  In 1972, Idi Amin, expelled all South Asians from the country of Uganda.  My parents went to the UK as political refugees with thousands of other displaced South Asians.  Colonialism was at the heart of these migrations.

I was born and raised in Cambridge, England as a South Asian Muslim in a city with a deep history of elitism and a distinct lack of diversity.   My early years were shaped by learning to navigate each and every space as being different.  

In my teens, we immigrated to Canada to join extended family that had also fled East Africa.  Living in one of the most diverse cities in Canada I had a front row seat to observe inequities and injustice play out in our society.  I developed my deep sense of social justice and advocacy and pursued a career in social work to effect change.  

Much of my career has been in leadership positions within the non profit sector.  In my roles, I was able to identify barriers to equitable services and took action towards embedding policies and practices that were inclusive.

Today, I no longer do equity work as an add-on.  It is my sole focus and purpose.  My social identity has encouraged me to behave in a racist manner,  while simultaneously being harmed by racism.  My gift is my ability to bridge those who are seeking a deeper understanding of their complacency with those who have been harmed by oppression.  

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