Murado Murado - J. Allyn Taylor Award Winner 2025
Murado Murado - J. Allyn Taylor Award Winner 2025
2025 J. Allyn Taylor Award Winner, Murado Murado
Named in honour of London Community Foundation’s founder, the J. Allyn Taylor Community Service Award is presented to a grade 10-12 student who exhibits outstanding service to and is actively involved in leadership activities in their community. The recipient receives an award of $2,500 towards their post-secondary education and a $500 grant to a charity of their choice. This year, the award was given to Murado Murado, who shared more about his community work with us.
Q: Congratulations on receiving the J. Allyn Taylor Community Service Award! What was your reaction to finding out you’d won the award?
A: I found out about winning the award while on a school trip. As soon as I read the email, I told my friends and teachers around me who were overjoyed. I quickly called my parents, who were proud and excited! Once it set in, I felt validated for all of the community work and participation I had been involved in and motivated to keep the effort going.
Q: Through your work in the community, you’ve been involved with Elmwood Place, the London District Catholic School Board, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to name a few groups. Of all the work you’ve done to make London a better place, is there one thing that stands out to you?
A: One of my most meaningful experiences was serving as Student Trustee for the LDCSB, where I co-chaired the student senate connecting students across London, Elgin, Oxford, and Middlesex counties. I am proud to have built a social media presence with over 20,000 impressions that elevated student voices. A highlight was the Student Passion Series, a six-month project linking students to community resources, opportunities, and experiential learning in the city of London. Hosting the first-ever event with Western’s University Students’ Council was especially impactful. High school students heard insights from university students on transitioning to post-secondary, and the feedback I received from attendees across the city made me proud of the impact it had.
Q: You volunteer your time as a youth advisory board member for Western’s Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children. What makes gender-based violence such an important cause for you, and what actions would you like to see to help make women and children safer in their communities?
A: Working with the CREVAWC and NFF Canada gave me the chance to help address an issue that is widespread in our community yet rarely spoken about. In school, when friends brought up violence, it was always a shameful conversation that went nowhere. We didn’t know support existed or understand the seriousness of the issue. I realized early in high school that this silence was a barrier to equality. To change this, education and prevention need to be priorities. Schools should teach age-appropriate lessons on consent and healthy relationships. Youth need the tools to recognize abusive behavior, while teachers require training and resources to respond in a trauma-informed way and connect students to support. Beyond schools, communities should expand youth-friendly hubs, invest in shelters, and make public spaces and transportation safer for women and children. These steps would mark genuine progress.
Q: In your application, you said the real meaning of leadership is being able to change and develop the individuals and communities a leader works with. What qualities are important for leaders to have to achieve this?
A: Empathy is essential. Leaders must understand that everyone comes with different experiences and barriers. Without that understanding, it is impossible to build trust or make meaningful progress. Communication is equally important! It helped me form strong teams, kept people dedicated to the cause, and helped coordinate vision while adapting to challenges. A leader without empathy and communication is not a true leader.
Q: Being as community-minded as you are is a trait that has to come from somewhere. Who inspires you to do this work?
A: My parents and family inspire me. As Chaldean Catholics, a Christian minority from Mesopotamia in northern Iraq, my parents taught me that community is one of the most important parts of life. After escaping war and religious persecution, many of my relatives spent years in refugee camps, some never making it out. My parents, Khoshaba and Shukria, dedicated their lives to giving me and my brothers a chance here in Canada. Their sacrifices push me to make the most of my opportunities and to give back to a city as diverse and inclusive as London.
Q: As part of the award, you’ll receive $500 to donate to a charity of your choice. Which charity will you be donating to, and why?
A: I chose to donate the $500 to the United Way Elgin Middlesex. United Way plays a direct role in reducing poverty and funding programs that support families and individuals across our community. At one board meeting, I saw firsthand how funds raised by the LDCSB went to essential initiatives and it showed me the real impact of their work. Donating to the United Way ensures the effort goes right back into supporting the community.
Q: You’ll also receive $2,500 towards your post-secondary education. Do you have any post-secondary plans, and how does the work you’re doing now help you achieve them?
A: I am attending Huron University, with Advanced Entry into the Ivey Business School. I plan to major in Governance, Leadership, and Ethics before my HBA to understand how equity can be advanced through policy and organizational leadership. The community work I am involved in connects directly to this path, as it teaches me how leadership, advocacy, and collaboration shape outcomes for people. My goal is to use my education to build a better London through policy and impact.
Q: What advice would you give to other young people who want to get involved in community projects or leadership?
A: Get involved! Don’t wait for the right time. Join a club, apply to be a representative for your school or group, or share your ideas on issues that matter to you and your peers. If something doesn’t exist, start it. Be that trailblazer that makes an impact in the community! That is the advantage of living in a city like London, where youth voices are valued and can make a difference