Board Member since 2019

A global citizen born in Asmara-Eritrea, Arsema’s passion lies in her commitment to people-centered, process-driven community development which she identifies as the intersection of identity, civic action and sustainable economic opportunity. With love and integrity, she advocates for and contributes to creating opportunities for marginalized populations and facilitating access to fundamental resources and supports. Using an asset based, equity framework, Arsema has worked closely with people of diverse backgrounds and with varying realities to collectively affect systemic change at the policy and grassroots levels.  Arsema credits the AfriCan Food Basket for paving her path into the local food movement and the critical work of Food Justice and Food Security. She deeply enjoyed providing communities with locally grown organic produce as an urban farmer with the UJAMAA Farm Collective and later became an active volunteer with FoodShare Toronto.

Arsema's joy is raising her brilliant babies and honouring the legacy of her late brother Nahom. Her strength is rooted in family, faith and community!