Storytellers Showcase: Courage to Connect

What does connection really take?

It starts with courage. The courage to stay curious about one another, to listen, and to learn from each other’s stories. When we do, we’re reminded that we’re not navigating this moment alone. That belief is the foundation that the Refugee Storytellers Collective was built on and during Welcoming Week this year, we’re celebrating five years of storytellers coming together to build community and connect with one another.

Participants joined us for the Storytellers Showcase on September 10th, 2026 at 12pm ET. During the event, attendees learned more about the Collective, heard original stories, poems, and reflections from members, and discovered ways they can foster the same connection with their own neighbors.

Panelists: 

• Teddy Al Muktady, New York, LGBTQ+ Advocate & Founder of SALT

• Ali Tarokh, Illinois, Director of Development & Communications at the Syrian Community Network

• Claudia Rojas, Virginia, Poet & Communications Professional

• Salimatou Diallo, Texas, Non-Profit Leader & Founder of The Voices Behind Change

• Tara Nepal, Iowa, Poet & Program Coordinator at the University of Iowa

• Emma Yaaka, Illinois, Host of Refugee Media 1-1, Director of the WordOut Youtube Channel, & Partnership Developer with Heartland Human Care Services

• Zulikha Akrami, Illinois, Global Youth Ambassador with Theirworld & Political Science Graduate Student at Northeastern University

• Bertha Nibigira, Washington, D.C., Spoken Word Poet & Director of N&Y Creative Solutions

• Karim L. Razzaz, Massachusetts, Multilingual Public Information Officer at the City of Somerville

Moderators: 

• Sheridan Block, Director of Communications, Refugee Congress

• Megan Smith, Communications Manager, Refugee Advocacy Lab