Meet the Members
Members of the Refugee Storytellers Collective are experts in their lived experiences. They can speak to the challenges displaced people face and the contributions they make to their communities.
Members
Members of the Refugee Storytellers Collective are available for media interviews, talks, workshops, panels, and more.
Collective Storytellers
Edafe Okporo
New York, NY
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Edafe Okporo is a global gay rights activist and founder of Refuge America. He enjoys reading, dance, and dinner with friends.
Dana Aljubouri
Jacksonville, FL
Country of Origin: Iraq
Dana Aljubouri is a youth activist and aspiring writer. She spends her time volunteering, reading, and writing, and is interested in medicine.
Dagemawit Kebede
Maryland
Country of Origin: Ethiopia
Dagemawit Kebede is a passionate advocate for refugees and immigrants. She enjoys painting, traveling, and music.
Sophal Ear, PhD
Phoenix, Arizona
Country of Origin: Cambodia
Sophal Ear is a professor of diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College. He enjoys walks, badminton, movies, reading, board service, and parenting.
Isabel Kayembe
Rhode Island
Country of Origin: Angola
Isabel Kayembe is a case manager and community health worker at the Refugee Dream Center. She enjoys watching soccer, dancing, and crafting.
Dr. Heval Mohamed Kelli
Atlanta, GA
Country of Origin: Syria
Dr. Heval Mohamed Kelli is a cardiologist and advocate. He enjoys volunteering and cooking.
Jihan Daman
Michigan
Country of Origin: Iraq
Jihan Daman is a social worker and advocate. She enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, cooking, and working out.
Lubab Al Quraishi
Parsippany, NJ
Country of Origin: Iraq
Lubab Al Quraishi is a licensed physician in Iraq and now works as a pathologist's assistant in New Jersey. She is an advocate for workforce inclusion.
Rwamucyo Karekezi
Pennsylvania
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwamucyo Karekezi is the Refugee Community Organizer for Church World Service Lancaster. He enjoys playing soccer, advocating for his community, and learning how to balance American culture while maintaining his own culture.
Pierre Uwimana
Florida
Country of Origin: Rwanda
Pierre Uwimana is a Refugee Organizer with the Florida Immigrant Coalition. He enjoys reading, riding his bike, playing with his children, and learning more about investment opportunities.
Adam Sadda
North Carolina
Country of Origin: Sudan
Adam Sadda is a student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in political science and economics and the Refugee Congress delegate for North Carolina. He strives to promote awareness and understanding of refugees and human rights for all.
Nejra Sumic
Arizona
Country of Origin: Bosnia and Hercegovina
Nejra Sumic is the National Field Manager for the We Are All America Campaign and the Arizona Delegate for Refugee Congress. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Bosnian, and several other dialects, and is proud to serve her community.
Shyam Rai
North Dakota
Country of Origin: Bhutan
Shyam Rai is an Intensive Housing Case Manager in North Dakota. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son.
Bahati Kanyamanza
Texas
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Bahati Kanyamanza is an educator, advocate, and co-founder of COBURWAS International Youth Organization to Transform Africa. He is interested in advocating for social change and the rights of displaced people.
Sharon Njie
Louisiana
Country of Origin: Cameroon
Sharon Njie is teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Business while getting her Ph.D. with the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Southern University and A & M College. She is also the Refugee Congress Delegate for Louisiana, and the Communication and Strategic Partnership Director at the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrant. She enjoys traveling, cooking, learning new skills, and interior decoration.
Yahya Arbab Khamis
Ohio
Country of Origin: Sudan
Yahya Arbab Khamis is the Former President of the Sudanese Community of Dayton Ohio and a volunteer for Welcome Dayton Ohio and the AFSC Ohio Program Advisory Committee. He is interested in community work and integration.
Matilda Issata Sawie
Pennsylvania
Country of Origin: Liberia
Matilda Issata Sawie is the Refugee Congress Delegate for Pennsylvania, the Refugee/Immigrant Tuberculosis Screening Coordinator at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and is completing her Master’s in Public Health. She is passionate about raising awareness for domestic violence, climate change, and refugee rights.
Radwan Ziadeh
Virginia
Country of Origin: Syria
Radwan Ziadeh is a Senior Fellow at the Arab Center, the founder and director of the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies in Syria; and co-founder and executive director of the Syrian Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C, an author, an activist, and holds a MA in Democracy and Governance from Georgetown University and MBA from William and Mary. He enjoys traveling, coaching, photography, and spending time with his wife and children.
Hanan Rasheed
New York
Country of Origin: Palestine
Hanan Rasheed is a chef and founder of My Healing Table, which uses the power of food to create positive change. She enjoys sharing the beauty of Palestinian cuisine with friends, family, and others.
Khalil A. Arab
Texas
Country of Origin: Afghanistan
Khalil A. Arab is the SIVs & Allies Program Manager at the Combined Arms. He is interested in continuing his education and serving the SIVs, refugee and immigrant communities in Texas.
Emma Yaaka
Illinois
Country of Origin: Uganda
Emma Yaaka is a Medical Case Manager/Preferred Community with Heartland Alliance, the Director of The WordOut Channel, and the Refugee Congress Delegate for Illinois. He is interested in community advocacy and providing education and resources to the refugee community.
Peace Izabayo Nibagwize
Texas
Country of Origin: Rwanda
Peace Izabayo Nibagwize is a mental health social worker and a passionate advocate for policy change. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking for the people she loves.
Tshishiku Henry
Washington State
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tshishiku Henry is the Refugee Congress Delegate for Washington State, the Founder of Wide World For Refugee, and an Employment Case Manager and Equity Lead at a Seattle-based nonprofit organization. He is passionate about helping and working with immigrants and refugees.