Ali Tarokh

Ali Tarokh is a community leader, refugee rights advocate, educator, and storyteller based in Chicago. He arrived in the United States as a refugee in 2012 and began his journey by taking ESL classes while building a new life and community. He went on to earn a doctoral degree in Law and Policy and has dedicated his work to advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of refugees and immigrants.

Ali is the founder of Risheh Institute and the creator of Voices Through Art, a storytelling and arts initiative that brings refugee and immigrant experiences into public spaces through art, personal stories, and conversation. Through his work, he has helped raise awareness about refugee and immigrant experiences, celebrate their contributions, and challenge anti-immigrant narratives.

His community leadership focuses on connecting people, creating spaces for dialogue, and ensuring refugees and immigrants have a voice in shaping conversations about their communities.