Namarig Ahmed
Executive Director

Namarig Ahmed is a master’s prepared registered nurse. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Wanasah: Mental Health Services for Black Youth, providing Black-centric, culturally affirming and holistic mental health services in the community. Namarig’s professional experience spans mental health, hospice-palliative care, homeless health, and sexual assault and domestic violence care. Namarig was raised in Regent Park which has impacted her deep understanding and passion for social justice and health equity with marginalized populations.

Nedu Ejeckam
Clinical Lead

Nedu Ejeckam is the Clinical Lead at Wanasah. He is an MSW registered social worker. He has worked in mental health support, trauma counselling, group therapy, and activism within the Black community in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has since moved to Toronto and hopes to continue to grow his understanding of supporting communities.
He feels one of the most important things about mental health is nurturing meaningful connections. He has a strong passion for community connection, creative ways of engaging with mental health, and understanding the interaction between our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Wanasah’s strong understanding of what it means to be Black-centric in its approach to the community is what drew Nedu to join their team.

Shayna Pascal-Webb
Office Coordinator

Shayna is the Office Coordinator at Wanasah. With a background in Mental Health Psychology and Human Resources Management, she combines her empathetic approach with nearly 4 years of administrative experience. Shayna is dedicated to ensuring that Black youth and their families have access to the Mental Health services they need.

Hawo Mohamed
Community Support Worker

Hawo Mohamed is Wanasah’s Community Support Worker. Referred to as Aunty Hawa as well as Mother Theresa by members of the Regent Park community, Hawa has been a resident of Regent Park for over two decades. She offers a rich lived experience and is a voice of the community that contributes to the advocacy and focus of Wanasah and the Black community. Hawa is also a member of Mothers of Peace, Safety Table run by the City of Toronto. Her decades of volunteering and advocating for members of the community have also resulted in recognition by the city of Toronto in various awards.

Tolulope Apelegan
Community Nurse

Tolulope is the Community Nurse at Wanasah. She offers a distinctive skill set encompassing primary, secondary, and tertiary medicine. With a focused passion for mental health, policy development, and advocacy, Tolulope draws upon her nursing background and Master’s degree to understand mental health issues disproportionately affecting Black youth.

As a Registered Nurse, she highly believes in and employs a holistic and client-tailored approach to provide adequate support towards the journey to mental wellness.

Her commitment is solidified by her passion in social justice and mental health policies, aiming to effect meaningful change in the lives of Black youth and their families.

Samatar Mohamoud
Spiritual Care Facilitator

Samatar is Wanasah’s Spiritual Care Facilitator, dedicated to the holistic well-being of Black youth by integrating spirituality into their mental health care. With over a decade of experience in mentorship and community work, Samatar has facilitated various youth programs, including professional workshops, sports leagues, and numerous community initiatives.
Samatar believes in the transformative power of spiritual guidance and mindfulness, helping youth find meaning and purpose amidst their challenges. His approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and fostering a deep sense of hope and healing.
In his free time, Samatar enjoys engaging in community activities, reading spiritual texts, and exploring nature, always striving to inspire others towards personal growth and wellness.

Inas (Noosa) Zein
Access and Engagement Worker

Noosa is an Access and Engagement Worker at Wanasah, born and raised in Regent Park. Her experiences growing up in the neighborhood shaped her understanding of the mental health challenges faced by youth and families. Driven by her commitment to bridging gaps and fostering support, Noosa embodies Wanasah’s mission of promoting mental wellness and accessibility for her community. With a deep understanding of the cultural and systemic barriers faced by Black youth, she is passionate about Wanasah’s vision and dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of those she serves.

Abdifatah Mohamed
Access and Engagement Worker

Abdifatah Mohamed is an Access and Engagement Worker at Wanasah with a long history of involvement in the Regent Park community. Since the age of 16, he has worked with both large and small organizations, contributing to initiatives that have positively impacted youth. Abdifatah chose Wanasah because of its dedication to addressing mental health, an issue often overlooked in the community. Having experienced the same challenges many Black youth face today, Abdifatah understands the importance of mentorship and genuine care, recognizing how a single interaction can change a young person’s life.