Hamilton’s Centre for Civic Inclusion’s board of directors would like to have a new executive director for the community anti-racism organization by the fall, said the board’s co-chair.

“We want to do it right rather than do it quick,” said Howard Elliot.

The grass-roots organization, which has become influential as it stamps out racism in the city, is losing the only executive director it has known after Madina Wasuge, 43, announced this week she will become the director of the Toronto-based Pathways to Education charitable organization.

 Wasuge has served as HCCI’s leader since it’s inception four years ago. HCCI grew from the Strengthening Hamilton’s Communities Initiative after the public outcry from the Sept. 11 firebombing of the Hindu Samaj Temple on the mountain, and the Civic and Cultural Resource Centre. Wasuge had worked for 15 years since she arrived in Hamilton in 1991 from her native Somalia, for the Settlement and Integration Services Organization. Wasuge is scheduled to leave for her new job by the end of July.

Pathways to Education, originally created for the Regent Park area, is a charitable organization created to reduce poverty by encouraging disadvantaged youths to seek post-secondary education.

“She will be very difficult to replace,” said Elliot. “We want (the next person to have) the same traits that Madina possess. But beyond that, I want to consult with the governing executive about who we are looking for.”

Wasuge was a doctor from Somalia when she left her family and arrived in Canada. The mother of three children, she had been director of operations for SISO, and over the years she has been honoured with various civic awards for her tireless work on behalf of newcomers and the diverse community, including the John Holland Community Service Award, and the 2009 Woman of Distinction Award.

In an interview in 2006, Wasuge stated the goal of HCCI was “to mobilize all Hamiltonians – from the grassroots, to industry, to labour and institutions – to create an inclusive city free of racism and hate through dialogue and partnerships.”

Elliot said HCCI will install an interim governing structure to oversee the organization in the new few days, and will then begin searching for a replacement. But Elliot said the HCCI should have a new person in place by the fall.

Elliot praised Wasuge for building “brick by brick” HCCI’s polices, and programs over the last four years and said she was integral in moving the community organization forward in addressing anti-racism within the community.

“It’s sad to see her go,” he said.

HCCI addresses everyday racism, lack of access, and equity issues within the city, community and private institutions. During her tenure Wasuge instituted anti-racism programs for the Hamilton Police Service, helped to provide education seminars for private businesses, and established youth programs.

With Wasuge’s departure, Elliot said it will give the board a chance to review HCCI’s goals, and see how it can renew itself for the future.

“It will give us an opportunity to see how we are doing, and where we can go next,” he said.