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 of the Refugee Storytellers Collective are available for media interviews, talks, workshops, panels, and more.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/18/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/18/24

Adam Sadda

Adam Sadda is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor's degree in political science and economics. He is the Refugee Congress Delegate for North Carolina. Adam strives to promote awareness and understanding of refugees and human rights for all.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/17/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/17/24

Alenga Alokola

Alenga Alokola is the CEO of Mwangaza Wa Upendoa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the refugee community in Arizona. With a Master’s Degree in Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, he is passionate about creating educational resources for new refugees and helping them overcome challenges as they build better lives in the United States.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/16/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/16/24

Ali Tarokh

Ali Tarokh is the Director of Policy Advocacy at Trellus and holds a doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University. He is passionate about education and dedicated to addressing employment barriers for refugees.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/15/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/15/24

Anastasiia Chystiukhina

Anastasiia Chystiukhina is an entrepreneur, business woman, and content creator. She loves to practice yoga, travel, and play board games with her son.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/14/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/14/24

Andreina Zuluaga

Andreina Zuluaga is a psychologist and social activist from Venezuela as well as the Refugee Congress Delegate for New Jersey. She is a passionate advocate for mental health for immigrants “embrace your story, lead your process” growing and healing with faith and psychology.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/14/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/14/24

Anita Omary

Anita Omary is a Master of Public Administration student at the University of New Haven and an Employment Specialist at BH Care in North Branford, Connecticut. She is also a public speaker with the New American Speaker Program (NASP) and is passionate about storytelling as a tool for social impact.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/12/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/12/24

Ayan Mohamud

Ayan is a Somali community worker and Psychologist & Mental Health Practitioner (MHP). She is dedicated to supporting the community in navigating complex systems, including legal services, housing programs, childcare assistance, and essential social supports. She has experience supporting people through trauma, migration, and resettlement.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/11/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/11/24

Azhar Ahmed

Azhar Ahmed holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Egypt. She currently serves as a Senior Case Manager with the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) and is also a Board Member of the Connecticut Refugee and Immigrant Women (CRIW) organization.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/11/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/11/24

Bahati Kanyamanza

Bahati Kanyamanza is nonprofit leader, publisher, educator, advocate, and co-founder of COBURWAS International Youth Organization to Transform Africa. He is also an Advisor to the United States Refugee Advisory Board. He is interested in advocating for social change and the rights of displaced people and other marginalized communities.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/10/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/10/24

Bertha Nibigira

Bertha Nibigira is a multilingual spoken word poet, peacebuilder, and community organizer. She is the founder of N&Y Creative Solutions, a DC–based creative consulting enterprise at the intersection of the arts and international development. She works across English, French, Kirundi and Swahili to expose ongoing injustices affecting the African people.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/10/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/10/24

Bhuwan Pyakurel

Bhuwan Pyakurel is a City Council Member in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He spent most of his young adulthood in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal and became the first Bhutanese-American elected official in the US.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/8/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/8/24

Claudia Rojas

Claudia Rojas is a poet, community advocate, and communications professional. She is passionate about social justice and the environment. She loves libraries, gardens, and volunteer opportunities.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/5/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/5/24

Dana Aljubouri

Dana Aljubouri is a youth activist and aspiring writer. She spends her time volunteering, reading, and writing, and is interested in medicine.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/4/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/4/24

Dauda Sesay

Dauda Sesay is the National Network Director for African Communities Together (ACT). He enjoys community engagement, music, sports, and travel for a purpose.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/1/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 8/1/24

Edafe Okporo

Edafe Okporo is a global gay rights activist and founder of Refuge America. He enjoys reading, dance, and dinner with friends.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 7/31/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 7/31/24

Emma Yaaka

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.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 7/29/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 7/29/24

Ghislain Joel Nkontchou

Ghislain Joel Nkontchou is a refugee from Cameroon and lives in Brooklyn. He graduate from Baruch College where he received his Master of International Affairs.

Refugee Storytellers Collective 7/26/24 Refugee Storytellers Collective 7/26/24

Habib Barra

Habib Barra has dedicated twelve years to working with nonprofits, including seven impactful years with Sesame Street in Afghanistan. He aims to shed light on immigrants' challenges while highlighting themes of resilience and hope to motivate others to confront hardship with determination and optimism.