Women RISE Celebration – Research Showcase & Community Dialogue brought together 131 participants on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at AccessPoint on Danforth for an inspiring afternoon of reflection, research, and community connection. Hosted by BCS, the event celebrated the achievements of Women RISE leaders while advancing conversations on equity, economic empowerment, and systemic change for racialized immigrant women.
The program began with a warm welcome from Dr. Nasima, Executive Director BCS, followed by a land acknowledgment and program overview by Urbi Khan. Attendees then enjoyed vibrant cultural performances, including a powerful musical set by Moushumi, who engaged the audience through songs celebrating the Bengali New Year and folk traditions.
A key highlight of the event was the Letter Campaign and Community-Based Research Presentation, introduced by Dr. Mahbub Hasan, Program Advisor BCS and led by Amanda Zhou, Isra Ammatul, Nusrat Jahan, Ramya Muraleetharan, and Berishna Nasir. Nusrat’s personal story added a powerful human dimension, while the team presented critical issues, recommendations, and pathways forward. The dialogue was enriched by contributions from distinguished guests and stakeholders, including MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre), Alexis Ramgulam (United Way), Dr. Nabina Sharma (McMaster University), Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan (University of Toronto), Reena Sen (Community Leader), Dr. AKM Alamgir ( Access Alliance).
Dr. Sudip Minhas (Settlement Assistance and Family Support Service), Barrister Zakir Hossain Sarker (Rights Plus Canada), Nadia Singh (CERC in Migration and Integration, Toronto Metropolitan University), Sultana Jahangir (SAWRO), Hasina Kader (BCCS), and Jannatul Islam (HSDNI) attended the event, among many others.
The celebration continued with an engaging Ethiopian jazz performance by Melat, followed by a movement break led by Moha Jire. The Project Evaluation Findings were then shared by Dr. Hasan, alongside Feminist Leaders and Community Mentors such as Sadia Mohammad, Rumana Rashid, Dr. Mou Modhubontee, Bilkis Nahar, and others, highlighting transformative impacts—including academic and career advancements inspired by Women RISE.
Sadia’s Story
Before joining the Women RISE project, Sadia was experiencing burnout, uncertainty, and frustration about her future. After working for several years following her undergraduate degree, she found herself questioning her direction and struggling with the emotional impact of job loss and instability. The future felt unclear, and pursuing graduate studies seemed like a distant possibility rather than a realistic path.
Through Women RISE, Sadia found encouragement, mentorship, and the confidence to take risks she once thought were impossible. She challenged herself to apply for graduate school, step outside of her comfort zone, and invest in her future. Today, she is nearing completion of her Master’s degree and has grown into a more confident leader, researcher, and advocate.
Sadia’s journey has now opened doors to international recognition and opportunity. She and her team have been invited to the University of Oxford this summer to compete as global finalists in the Map the System Global Finals after receiving top awards for their work on gendered industry devaluation. Their project explores systems thinking and structural inequities, highlighting the importance of equity and social change on a global stage.
Reflecting on her journey, Sadia shared:
“I didn’t think I would quit my job to pursue graduate school after almost seven years since I graduated from undergraduate studies. Women RISE gave me the courage to take chances and believe in my path. What once felt uncertain is now leading me to new opportunities, opening doors, and expanding horizons on global stages.”
We proudly recognized our Feminist Leaders for successfully completing the Women RISE leadership program (2024–2026), including Amanda Zhou, Berishna Nasir, Isra Ammatul, Iffat Ammatul, Khansa Ashraf, Ramya Muraleetharan, Sreya Tahsin, Sadia Mohammad, Nusrat Jahan, and Bilivia Yousif. Their dedication to training, community-based research, and volunteer engagement continues to advance the economic prosperity of immigrant and racialized women.
Special recognition was also extended to mentors and community champions—Dr. Mou Modhubontee, Moha Jire, Rumana Rashid, Basirat Naphew, Bilkis Nahar, and Joyce Mgbolu—whose guidance and commitment have been instrumental in empowering participants and strengthening community impact.
Interactive booths from BCS, Breast Cancer Canada, and West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre offered valuable resources and engagement opportunities throughout the event.
We sincerely thank our funder, Women and Gender Equality Canada, and our valued community partners—Rights Plus Canada, HSDNI, BCCS, Access Alliance, and CASSA—for their continued collaboration and support. We also extend our appreciation to all BCS members, volunteers, and community leaders for their active participation and dedication.
The program concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Nasima and Dr. Hasan, followed by networking over lunch.
Women RISE continues to stand as a powerful, community-driven initiative—demonstrating that sustained investment, mentorship, and collaboration are essential to advancing leadership and economic opportunities for racialized immigrant women
Women RISE Toronto Campaign 