Ahmed ‘Knowmadic’ Ali is a community organizer, public speaker, poet, youth worker, and full time father that has dedicated his time to enabling and empowering diverse communities within Edmonton. Ahmed is the co-founder and current artistic director of Edmonton’s only spoken word collective: Breath In Poetry. He is passionate about the arts, education and emphasizes the importance of equitable representation on all levels of government.
Ahmed is an outspoken proponent of public education; he is a registered vendor with the Edmonton Public School board and provides students interactive lessons on the importance of resilience, empathy, community engagement and equity. In addition to the school board, Ahmed presents on diversity and inclusion for the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s International Educational Exchange program. In partnership with Welcome Center for Immigrants and Big Brother Big Sisters, Ahmed was a summer school program leader where he assisted teachers with unique strategies to engage youth.
Besides education, Ahmed is extremely passionate about the arts. He is Edmonton's current Poet Laureate and a multi-award winning, internationally recognized artist who has traveled to countries like Sudan, Wales, the United States and England, both to perform and lead poetry workshops. He served on the Edmonton Arts Council board for 3 years and chaired the Equity Committee. He also served on the Quarterz Arts board where he hosted and promoted events at the Boyle Street Community League and surrounding neighbourhoods. Ahmed is a professional speaker who regularly shares his expertise on inclusion and the arts through keynotes and panel discussions.
Ahmed’s is a dedicated youth worker and volunteer. He has worked with youth in correctional facilities in Alberta and in Wales. He regularly mentors young emerging artists and disadvantaged youth. He was employed as an African Youth Outreach Coordinator by the City of Edmonton for the initiation of the Rising youth program. In this position, Ahmed’s responsibilities ranged from organizing leadership workshops on building healthy lifestyle habits, relationship building and building sustainable community connections.
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