From Tragedy to Triumph, From Grief to Gift
August 12, 2025
By Fei Tang, Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Access Alliance
With deep gratitude and a sense of quiet pride, the Nahom Berhane Scholarship Committee has announced that the decade-long Nahom Berhane Scholarship for Leadership and Inclusion has now wrapped up, closing a chapter rooted in love, commitment, and community.
Over the past 10 years, a total of $124,400 has been raised and awarded. Through 34 scholarships, 1 special award, and 8 bursaries, 43 remarkable young people have received financial assistance for their post-secondary education. To help build and sustain this grassroots initiative, more than 500 people have given their time, money, and support.
As far as we know, this is the only entirely community-led scholarship of this size and duration in the country. The co-founders of the Nahom Berhane Scholarship share how it feels as it comes to a close:
Most people exist—Nahom lived! This initiative has been an integral element of our family’s healing journey and a powerful testament to the strength of community. In Nahom’s honour, we’ve built a legacy of hope and collective impact that will change lives for generations. I walk proudly in the light of his legacy. #NahomLegacy.
− Arsema Berhane, co-founder of the Nahom Berhane Scholarship and Nahom Berhane’s sister
Participating in this scholarship journey has been both a personal and professional privilege. We honored the community’s wish to celebrate Nahom’s life and values in a meaningful way—I think we achieved it with the leadership and support of an amazing team!
− Axelle Janczur, co-founder of the Nahom Berhane Scholarship and Executive Director of Access Alliance
Since 2016, when the Nahom Berhane Scholarship for Leadership and Inclusion was first launched through a partnership between the Berhane family and Access Alliance, supporters have gathered annually. They’ve come together in honour of Nahom’s legacy, celebrating the leadership and resilience of youth in the same communities Nahom belonged to, believed in, and fought for.
This year was no different, except that it was the last. Before introducing the 2025 recipients, Louis Michel Taillefer, co-chair of the Scholarship Committee, shared his reflections:
This journey was a labour of love for all of us who looked for healing and purpose in the loss of our brother Nahom. I can honestly say that this experience has impacted my life, both professionally and personally. I’ve been humbled by the incredible people and students I’ve met throughout this time.
Meet our 2025 Recipients
Angelika Bell is an award-winning youth leader. Through her advocacy as Student Trustee for the TDSB, equity work as National Director with ICON Talent Partners, and leadership roles with Target Alpha and FBLA Canada she’s generated positive changes for young people nationwide.
Ariam Russom is a passionate youth advocate and mental health. From early outreach roles with Toronto Community Housing, to supporting youth impacted by violence through Community PEERS, she’s committed to uplifting her community. Now studying at TMU, Ariam dreams of opening a mental health clinic rooted in accessible, culturally responsive care.
Driven to elevate underresourced women in her community, Feven Zewdu co-founded Coming to Fruition, a non-profit offering free workshops and programs on mental health, self-confidence, and building community. Now studying Social Work at TMU, she’s deepening her skills to expand her impact.
Laila Rutherford is a passionate student leader dedicated to community, mentorship, and growth. She’s held key roles with the Bill Hogarth Black Student Association, the Mayor’s Black Youth Liaison Council, and the Leadership by Design program. From organizing events to overcoming personal challenges, Laila continues to lead with resilience and purpose.
A Biomedical Science student at the University of Guelph, Mohamad Dukuray has a passion for healthcare and community, volunteering as a tutor with Youth Assisting Youth while completing impactful research internships. As a Youth Advisor at CAMH and mentor with the Black Student Association, Mohamad empowers others while championing healthcare equity for underserved communities.
Arriving in Canada in 2021, Norit Osman quickly excelled—maintaining a 4.0 GPA while immersing herself in the drama, music, and yearbook clubs. Grateful for the strong support she received as a newcomer, she was inspired to give back by volunteering: with New Nakfa, as a TMCA Language Assessment Helper, and as a Peer Leader at TNO. Now studying at U of T, Norit is pursuing her passion for community empowerment as she works toward a future in the sciences.
Over the years, the Scholarship Committee set an ambitious goal: to award 34 scholarships over its course, one for each year that Nahom lived. In the final year, to meet the target of six $4,000 scholarships and cover gala costs, we needed to raise $34,000—a tall order, especially during an economic downturn. And yet, thanks to a generous corporate donation from CIBC, major gifts from the Misghina family and our very own Axelle Janczur, as well as contributions from more than 50 individual donors, we surpassed that target. The additional $6,000 raised allowed us to grant one special award and eight $500 bursaries.
Axelle & Guillermo Community Resilience Award
Before presenting this award, Axelle reflected on her late husband, Guillermo, a refugee from Chile who fought hard to build a good life for their family. “He was a big proponent of education,” she shared. “He always said, ‘Go to school, no matter what.’”
The Axelle & Guillermo Community Resilience Award went to LaToya Thompson, a passionate changemaker from Lawrence Heights. From her pre-teen years, LaToya has been deeply involved in grassroots efforts—leading youth camps, mentoring peers, and promoting environmental awareness. She’s taken on many roles in the Lawrence Heights Revitalization initiative, including Outreach Kid, Revite NERD, Community Program Leader, and Revitalization Ambassador. With a growing interest in social work, community development, and urban planning, LaToya continues to shape a more just and vibrant future grounded in lived experience, compassion, and vision.
At the end of July, we held the 10th and final award ceremony of the Nahom Berhane Scholarship at AccessPoint on Danforth. Over 130 guests came together to celebrate this milestone year—a year that saw a record number of applications and an unprecedented wave of generosity from our community donors and CIBC.
The award ceremony gala was also an epic reunion of those who have championed Nahom’s legacy over the past 11 years. It brought together his family, friends, and Access Alliance colleagues, steadfast donors and volunteers, and the scholarship alumni who helped build and sustain this initiative.
The gala was filled with warm embraces, heartfelt reflections, inspiring testimonials, and vibrant celebrations of youth brilliance and leadership. A vivid reminder of how deep grief transformed into a gift that keeps giving, the evening was a testament to Nahom: the beloved community worker, brother, and son, whose legacy continues to move us 11 years later. And always will.
As this powerful 11-year journey from tragedy to triumph comes to a close, it opens a chapter to many new beginnings. Dozens of young changemakers lifted up by the scholarship will continue to learn, grow, and give back to their communities with the same passion and dedication as Nahom. The full impact has yet to be seen, but their demonstrated dedication to equity and to others will guide them on the path to positive change, as they continue to lead inspired by love, commitment, and community.
Click the image below to see more on the impact of the scholarship: