Kassim Doumbia was newly elected mayor of Shippagan, making him the first Black mayor in N.B.'s history.

Join me and mayor Doumbia on Episode 26 of the Thriving Mayor show as we chat about:
- growing up in Ivory Coast and Senegal,
- Leaving home (in January) to study at University of Moncton,
- Investing in network building to share his gifts,
- Empowering Canadian Francophone communities to create opportunities and thrive,
- His mom's hesitancy about running for mayor,
- The winning contribution of his 15-year old campaign manager and
- The wonderful vision for his mayorship and the community of Shippagan, NB.

One of Kassim’s most published quotes is : “The United States got Obama as the first Black President, Shippagan got me.”

Mayor Doumbia is originally from Ivory Coast, and travelled to New-Brunswick in 2000 to attend Université de Moncton. In 2004 he received a bachelor degree in Computer Science in followed by an MBA in 2006. Doumbia has worked inside Shippagan City Hall since 2012 when he first won a seat on council. In 2016, he took on the added role of Deputy Mayor and now, Kassim is mayor of Shippagan.

Kassim married Karine, a native of Shippagan, NB and they have 2 beautiful daughters 11 and 9. The family has called Shippagan home since 2007.

In 2015 he was recognized by 21inc as one of Atlantic Canada’s top 50 of leaders under the age of 40.

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