This past weekend, Jamilla Mohamud participated in the CivicSpark Competition “Building Up the 6ix” where her team won first place. CivicSpark, which was founded in 2015 as a chapter of CivicAction, is an organization dedicated to empowering a new generation of city builders who can help develop creative solutions to real issues being faced by the GTHA. Each year CivicSpark hosts a series of workshops to refine and develop competitor's skills in research, critical analysis, and communication. CivicSpark is a program designed to give students the opportunity to provide innovative policy proposals to a panel of judges comprised of experts and professionals in their respective fields. This year, Jamilla’s team introduced an inclusive plan to connect Hamilton and Toronto and to support newcomers along the way.

Jamilla, an undergraduate student completing a Bachelors in Environmental Studies with an area of focus in Urban and Regional Planning, first heard of the competition through our CityAnnounce listserv. This opportunity allowed her to expand on her interest in city building through community partnership and understanding the intersecting issues that communities confront as part of the process of urbanization.

At the City Institute, Jamilla works as a research assistant on the SSHRC Partnership Grant, "Urbanization, Gender, and the Global South: A transformative knowledge Network (GENURB)," that is led by York University Professor and Director of the City Institute Dr. Linda Peake. Jamilla will work together with the GENURB team throughout the Fall and Winter 2017/18 term to move towards the project’s goals.

Congrats Jamilla!