Thread by @Zubee_P

Professional Update: This is my last week in the Prime Ministers Office & in the 🇨🇦 Government.

As a Kid from #Scarborough, my 16 year old self would not have dreamed this 👇🏽

I wouldn't say my journey is unique. But here is my story of a young brown kid who wasn't sure if he would graduate high school to working in the highest office & whose love for serving people & 🇨🇦 grew.

A few reflections & many people to thank 🙏🏽.

Born to immigrant parents 🇮🇳🇧🇧🇬🇧 in the diverse neighbourhoods of #ThorncliffePark & #Scarborough there were moments growing up my life could have taken a different path.

A postal code shouldn't determine access to opportunity & success, but it remains the reality for many.

It was 2007 when I got my first break to intern at Queen's Park, 19 years of Campaigns + Government. Held close to every job- Office Manager, Constit Assistant, 2 Ontario Premiers, nominations, by-elections to eventually a top job to a Minister + PM

#startedfromthebottom

How you take your own lived experience, weave common threads into that of others to shape policy & drive impact is something I aspired to do each day.  Grateful for the opportunites, growth and challenges. 🙏🏽

This underscored for me the importance of why #RepresentationMatters

Simply put when you get a seat at the table, pull up some new chairs for others & don't forget to keep it real!  Stay authentic!

It's important to have moments of self reflection in your career: Are you making your voice heard and are you making room for other voices to be heard. Do you embrace the diversity work? Do you constantly feel the imposter syndrome? As a racialized Muslim I certainly did 🖐🏽

These situations are unique to individuals but important for leaders to be leaders & enable a culture of belonging that empowers different & new voices 🗣

My early work in Ontario centered around "multicultural outreach" in those days.  Meaningful at the time but fast forward today where we are seeing a reckoning & demand for action on systemic racism & fighting rising hatred.  This weekend is a reminder of the work ahead. 🥺

It's not always easy being part of the structure & upholding systems. Shout out to all the folks who are grinding each day, some for decades to make transformative change within organizations.

It's easy to be torn apart from the outside but remember everyone's voice is critical to create space for you.  Don't always have to agree, but appreciate each other, at the very least, remain humble, don't become arrogant 🙏🏽

To the hundreds of community groups & civic leaders I have worked with, thanks for opening your doors,homes, offices, places of worship.I never took lightly the trust many of you put in me to champion the issues you cared about, to expand my perspective & how we got things done.

Want to recognize the not talked about "community organizing" that takes place within political parties to move the dial on inclusion.  The "changemakers"  who have pushed not just for progress but change & quietly do it behind the scenes, never giving up.  👏🏽

I want to thank my dear friend & mentor late @ArnoldChanLib whose by-election win had me back in politics in 2014 after a short time away in the non-profit world. 

We miss you Arnie 😢

When I think of organizing in the party, remembering trips from Scarb to Sauga with @gary_srp to help @OmarAlghabra in early 2000s 

Speaking of Mississauga, a special TY to @NavdeepSBains who  looked out for so many of us & ushered in a new generation of leadership on the Hill

One of those new leaders was my friend and later boss @HonAhmedHussen

One of the most humble, inspiring & hardworking people I know.  Simply put, I would not be able to say I was the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Immigration without you! 🙏🏽

Thank you to @HonJohnMcCallum who I got to work for during the historic time of Operation Syria & help chart a new path in #cdnimm for a compassionate & welcoming 🇨🇦.

A special place for anyone who works in a Ministers Office, particularly at Immigration (#IYKYK). 

Proud of how we built the most diverse Office on the Hill during some challenging times.  🙏🏽

To the hundreds of hardworking staffers on the hill, constituency staff + public servants & elected officials I have worked with over the years - I am truly grateful to have learned & served with you! 👏🏽 

Being a staffer is a team sport, it is rough but remember your purpose.

Never take for granted the sacrifices of family. Living in 2 cities with a young toddler was hard but thanks to my wife & fam we made it work. Our boy is now 6, wasn’t easy to be away for both the happier & difficult moments but the pandemic was a reminder how quickly 👶🏽 grow.❤

Finally, a big thanks to PM @JustinTrudeau @telfordk for your trust, confidence & leadership. It's been nothing short of a privilege & honour to serve Canadians, all these years, especially during a global pandemic & do some really impactful work. 

PS - Thanks for the  📞 KT!

#ScarboroughtotheWorld

Staying in 🇨🇦 but looking forward to a new chapter to drive innovation & inclusion in a new space. 

For now focused on school pick up/drop offs + return of 🏒 🏀 leagues with the little one on weekends. ✌🏽