I am a lawyer, practicing in the area of civil litigation, more specifically personal injuries. Hard work, endurance and self confidence are the ticket to success in this country. The love and respect for my community has given me unmatched self‐esteem for I have discovered the value of my community, and hence my identity as one based on solid Somali‐Canadian. To be part of the Canadian mosaic is a significant gift that make me feel that my children and I can be anything we so desire to be. This is a rare value – and it is a Canadian value. Lastly and not the least, I am successful because I have refused to be defined by any one. I am my own man – I am a Somali. I am a Canadian. I am an immigrant. This is how I defined myself – thus I have placed my destiny in my own hands.