When my family and I arrived in Canada in May 2023, everything felt completely new.

New city, new home and new school. It was exciting, but also a little overwhelming. I remember stepping into my high school for the first time and feeling the weight of being the only Black Muslim student in a school of over 500.

The classrooms were buzzing with students who had known each other for years, and I was just trying to find my place. Everything from the way people spoke to the little cultural nuances felt unfamiliar, and honestly, there were days I wondered if I would ever truly feel like I belonged.

A few months later, in November 2023, I saw the application for our city’s Youth Council. For a brief moment, I thought, “This could be me.” But I was still new, still adjusting, and I didn’t feel ready. So I tabled the idea.

However, I made a promise to myself: I would apply next year, no matter what. That promise became my little guiding light, a reminder that just because I wasn’t ready now didn’t mean I wouldn’t be in the future.

Resuming school was hectic. Being the only Black Muslim in my grade brought its own set of challenges. I faced the subtle stares, the whispers, and the questions that came from curiosity but also, sometimes, from misunderstanding. And yet, through all of that, I reminded myself daily that my presence mattered. My uniqueness, background and voice all mattered.

Fast forward to October 2024. The Youth Council application had officially opened, and I knew it was my moment. I carefully filled out the forms, reflecting on the promise I had made to myself months ago. I wrote about my vision for youth in our city, my desire to create spaces where everyone felt seen, and my commitment to representing voices that often go unheard.

The next step was the interview, and I’ll admit that I was nervous. Getting interviewed by the Mayor and City Manager was not on my bucket list. But I also felt a surge of excitement. This was more than an opportunity for me; it was a chance to represent youth like me, to bring my perspective and energy to my city.

Then came the moment I’ll never forget. I was sitting in my computer science class when my computer buzzed with a message from my mum: “Congratulations!” My first reaction was confusion. What could this mean? My heart raced as I opened the email from the city.

And there it was.

My official appointment as the first Black African Nigerian Muslim Youth Councilor of my city.

For a moment, I just stared at the screen in disbelief. Was this really happening? Had I really made it here, barely a year and a half after arriving in a completely new country?

Looking back, it still feels surreal. From the nerves of my first day at a new school, to the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, to finally stepping into a role where I could make a difference.

But what this journey has taught me is invaluable: courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to act despite it. It’s about keeping promises to yourself, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

And it’s about knowing that your voice, your perspective, and your presence can matter in ways you might not even imagine at first.

I share my story not just to celebrate this achievement, but to remind anyone reading this that your background does not limit your potential. It SHAPES it.

Your challenges can become your strengths, your uniqueness can become your power, and the things that make you feel different today can be the very things that make you a trailblazer tomorrow.