A Camera Can Change a Girl's Life: A Conversation with Amina Mohamed

In this podcast episode, Surayya Walters, Host of Professional Media, welcomes Amina Mohammed, the founder and executive director of the Canadian charity Cameras for Girls. Amina discusses the organization’s mission to equip young women in Africa, particularly Uganda and Tanzania, with photography tools and skills to help them secure jobs in male-dominated media spaces.

The conversation delves into Amina's background as a refugee from Uganda, her career transitions from fashion design to film and television production, and eventually into nonprofit work. Amina shares her challenges and triumphs, highlighting the significance of gender equality and the essential support systems she relied on. They also discuss how listeners can support Cameras for Girls through volunteering, mentoring, or donations to help expand the program’s reach and impact more young women.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction
00:28 Mission and Vision of Cameras for Girls
01:33 Celebrating Estee Lauder Award
02:49 Challenges and Triumphs in Nonprofit Work
08:39 The Importance of Support Systems
11:06 Navigating Funding and Grants
18:01 Future Plans and Sustainability
27:15 Introduction to the Guest's Journey
27:52 Early Career and Discovering Passion
29:52 Challenges and Breakthroughs in the Industry
31:05 Founding Cameras for Girls
32:03 Empowering Women through Photography
34:03 Strategic Insights and Collaborations
37:33 Personal Reflections and Career Choices
46:19 Balancing Passion and Practicality
52:36 How to Support Cameras for Girls