Celebrating Diversity In The City And In Her Own Family

Editor’s Note: For more “Moms We Love,” click HERE.

Not many people these days can say they’ve made a meaningful and lasting mark on the world. Even fewer can tell you that they did so alongside a highly revered and powerful figure (say, for instance, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg). But Fatima Shama has accomplished both of these feats, and a whole lot more.

The daughter of two immigrants (a Brazilian Catholic mother and a Palestinian Muslim father), the Bronx native considers herself quite blessed to have been raised in a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual household (she speaks six languages, most notably Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese). Her diverse ethnic and religious background—coupled with her exposure to NYC’s melting pot—allowed her to grow up amidst a vibrant amalgamation of cultures, helping mold her into an open-minded, highly cultured individual.

Along with her love for family and inborn passion for helping others, her unique roots are what inspired her to dedicate her life to community development and improving the lives of people. “I made a decision pretty early on in my life that I love working for people and making a difference in the lives of people, [especially those similar to] me and my own family,” she says. “My professional career has really been in that vein: working for communities.”

Shama presently sits as the vice president of strategic development and external affairs at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, though she is likely best known for her achievements as the former commissioner of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs—a position she commanded for four and a half years, up until quite recently. Previously, she served as the Office’s health literacy and language access coordinator, prior to serving as the administration’s senior education policy advisor.

Shama’s tremendous work as commissioner culminated in her spearheading the creation of Blueprints for Immigrant Integration, an intricate how-to guide put together to help other cities around the world embrace immigration, and realize the immense positive impact immigrants can have on their communities. To date, over 50 cities worldwide, including Antwerp, Turin, Florence, and Chicago have looked to the open-source set of strategies for step-by-step guidance on how to effectively implement local policies and practices, in order to better serve and enhance the lives of their immigrant populaces.

“Many cities across the globe see immigrants as a challenge, so [New Yorkers] had this opportunity to say: ‘No, actually…we see immigrants as a huge asset to our city, and we have been overwhelmingly lucky as a result of their talent and commitment,’” Shama says.

The proud mom of three strives to teach her children the importance of working to help others by occasionally involving them in her efforts. “My kids have gone to work with me and done a number of things with me in the past; it’s something I try to do with them, something I want them to be a part of,” she says. “I want them to understand the communities that we live in; how we can serve and help them.”

Shama’s altruistic nature has undoubtedly rubbed off on her progeny; following Hurricane Sandy, her sons—ages 3, 6, and 9—happily volunteered alongside their parents, helping hand out water bottles and donating canned goods and clothes to those in need. In addition, the benevolent boys frequently save up money to give away to charitable causes.

When asked whether she has ever longed for a daughter to balance out the mix, Shama is quick to say “no.” “I love being queen of the household,” she says with a laugh. “I get a lot of love and attention from my guys!”

Despite her busy schedule, Shama always makes a point to spend time with her boys. “The city is our playground,” says the current Manhattanite. “We have access to some of the most amazing parks in the world. I love to take my kids on culinary adventures, whether it’s to try Greek food in Astoria, or to visit the aquarium and then eat at a Russian restaurant [in Brooklyn]. Where else can you do that? It’s really priceless.”

To learn more about the Maimonides Medical Center, visit maimonidesmed.org.