Gwen Madiba is a trailblazer dedicated to building equal opportunities for marginalized communities, especially Black women and low-income families.
As the founder and president of Equal Chance, an Ottawa-based organization, Gwen leads initiatives that provide essential support to families facing homelessness and advocates for systemic change to address housing inequality. Her work is rooted in compassion, resilience, and a commitment to dismantling social barriers. Madiba also serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has received multiple honours for her community impact.
Through her impactful work, she raises awareness and takes action to support Ottawa’s most vulnerable. The award-winning human rights advocate chatted with us about her journey, what led her to start Equal Chance, and what makes a strong leader.
What inspired you to found Equal Chance and what was your initial vision?
What inspired me was my own and my colleagues’ experiences who faced harassment, racism, and discrimination in the workplace. We were five Black employees, all equally competent to do our jobs. But we weren’t given a safe space or the same chances as others. When I became pregnant, I was told I was the first woman in 40 years to become pregnant in the organization. They didn’t even have a maternity leave policy!
So, I left my job and began brainstorming how I could support those facing similar challenges due to their skin colour. I called my foundation Equal Chance because that’s all we’re asking for: an equal chance to work in Canadian society.
Tell us about Equal Chance’s initiatives for Black women and families in Ottawa?
Our focus is on supporting low-income and homeless families in Ottawa. We provide social support in shelters, ensuring families understand their rights and where to access resources. We offer mental health programs, culturally relevant food security, housing, and employment support. One of our key initiatives is the “From Homelessness to Homeownership” pilot program. We worked with two women from a local shelter, helping them transition from homelessness to homeownership by providing resources and tools. With the help of mortgage brokers and financial advisors, both women became first-time homeowners by 2022. This success shows that with determination and support, homelessness can be overcome.
Equal Chance emphasizes creating opportunities for community support. What programs have made the most impact?
The housing program, food security program, and consistent community presence have made a significant impact. Beyond providing essential resources, our strength lies in advocacy and creating a sense of community. Many families in shelters feel unseen. By being present, we are able to give a sense of hope that is not shallow hope. It makes a big difference for families to know that they can count on us. Even on days when they’re not well, they still have people within the community to whom they can vent and who will be able to support them while looking for solutions to the problems that arise.
As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, how do your roles intersect and influence your work with Equal Chance?
My work with Equal Chance is influenced by my parents and their values of giving back. Growing up, I saw many people find shelter in my parents’ home. Volunteering was instilled in me by my mother, who has a lot of compassion.
Shweta Gandhi | Contributing Writer
