Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Sandhya Lohano
Amid the vibrant culture and busy cities of Ethiopia, an alumni-led Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) and Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) project has helped reshape the landscape of emergency medical services (EMS). As the project lead for the Healthcare Simulation Educational Exchange project, Lee Wittmann, the Director of Healthcare Simulation and Innovation at Appalachian State University, led a training program that equipped Ethiopian nurses with skills and knowledge to serve as emergency first responders in their communities.
Lee’s journey is one of resilience and determination, starting from a life-changing experience during his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana. After developing a severe illness that forced him to leave Ghana early, he came out of his experience with a completely new goal and purpose – to bring emergency medical services to underserved regions across Ethiopia. Over the past three decades, Lee has worked tirelessly toward this goal, establishing EMS systems and training healthcare professionals throughout the country.
The start of the Healthcare Simulation Educational Exchange project marked a significant milestone in Lee’s mission. Partnering with Hawassa University in Ethiopia, Lee and his team embarked on a collaborative effort to train more than 200 nurses to serve on Ethiopia’s first national modern EMS system. The program, which took place in June 2023, immersed participants in an intensive two-week training course, using high fidelity simulation mannequins to replicate real-life emergency scenarios. Through hands-on training and scenario-based learning, the nurses acquired essential skills in airway management, trauma care, and resilience building, preparing them to deliver critical care in the field.
During planning and preparation for the project, Lee’s visit to Ethiopia highlighted the harsh realities of healthcare in the country as he witnessed overcrowded clinics lacking basic supplies and essential medical equipment. This experience solidified Lee’s commitment to effecting lasting change in the country.
The journey to bring this project to life was made possible through collaboration with two offices in the U.S. Department of State. Lee won grants from both the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF), a $10,000 small grant offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Office of Alumni Affairs, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. With these grants, Lee and his team were able to secure the high fidelity simulation mannequins that ensured that the training was tailored to the specific needs of the Ethiopian healthcare providers.
As Lee reflects on his journey, he is filled with a sense of purpose and gratitude. From his humble beginnings as a Peace Corps volunteer to his current role as a leader for emergency healthcare in Ethiopia, and now through the Healthcare Simulation Educational Exchange project, Lee is on the way to saving countless lives and transform the healthcare landscape in Ethiopia and beyond – paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.
Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Isabella Romine
For American Music Abroad and Arts Envoy ExchangeAlumni Aaron Sperber, music is more than just an art form: it’s about human connection that transcends cultural, language, and geographic barriers. As the founder of the aptly named acapella group The Exchange, Aaron visited over 60 countries, many as part of his exchange programs. His experiences only deepened his passion for music as a universal language, which recently culminated in his latest project: The Harmundi Foundation.
“We might speak different languages, look different, eat different types of food, or worship differently. Our governments might even seem like they're at odds. A room might be tense,” Aaron explains. “But once the beat starts, everybody starts moving to that beat together. Through some of my experiences with the State Department, I got [sic] really blessed to be able to experience it firsthand.”
Last year, supported through funding from the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) and other sponsors, Harmundi Foundation put on the virtual, free of charge Harmundi International Music Summit (IMS) for students worldwide. A group of sixty students from six continents came together to learn from accomplished music professionals around the world. The diverse, multi-genre clinics included vocal production, taught by Latin-Grammy celebrated engineer, Simone Torres; beatboxing, led by Sri Lankan beatbox world champion Julius Mitchell; musical arrangement and harmony, taught by Louisiana jazz pianist, Jacob Dupre; and life as a performing artist, led by Nigerian-Panamanian Grammy-winning member of Pentatonix, Kevin Olusola.
On the third and final day of the summit, the students applied what they’d learned to put on a finale concert that was live-streamed worldwide. Students performed solos, passing the baton globally to one another, and closed the concert with two music videos of songs students had collaboratively arranged, recorded, and filmed over the course of the weekend.
The Harmundi International Music Summit exemplified global collaboration, uniting international speakers and organizers alongside Aaron’s equally passionate CDAF team. The team, comprised of Peace Corps alumna Alice Kahng as Education Director, fellow member of The Exchange and Arts Envoy and American Music Abroad alum Jamal Moore as Vocal Director, Matt Carlin as Music Director, and Arts Envoy alum Paul Kaleka as Production Director, played an integral role in the event’s success.
Through equally multinational support, Aaron achieved one of the crowning accomplishments of the weekend—distributing full studio production equipment to each student before the program began. During the summit, leaders taught students everything from how to set up the equipment to how to arrange, record, edit, and fully produce their own creations.
“Now they have the tools—they don't need to pay to go somewhere or pay to use somebody's equipment. They have it in their bedroom going forward,” Aaron explained. “Money isn’t an issue. They can learn and continue growing as a creator and a person using the tools that we've given them.”
Aaron also shared that, importantly, the students formed connections among themselves, transcending cultural bounds. There were two session blocks to accommodate different time zones. Many students showed up to both sessions, even though the classes would be repeated, because they wanted to deepen connections with their peers.
During a vocal session he and Jamal were scheduled to lead on the last day, Aaron opened the conversation so that students could talk about their experience on the program, not expecting that the conversation would last an entire two hours.
“They’re teenagers, so I expected some bashfulness, maybe. But I was shocked,” Aaron said. “Every hand went up. One girl said, I didn't know if I would ever get a chance to meet anybody not from where I'm from, or that I'd be able to make friends from a different place. I really hope that we can stay friends and start making music together. And everyone was cheering. It was just like, oh my gosh—you have a vision, and then start to see it come true.”
In June, the participants will come together again for a check-in and share what they’ve been working on since Harmundi. Some participants have been working on collaborations together, which was Aaron’s initial hope upon developing the International Music Summit.
“The idea of all of this is that it's not just what takes place that weekend,” he explained. “The hope was that they would walk out of this not just with the tools, but with new friends, new inspirations where they could create cross-cultural fusion music that the world has never heard before, together.”
Tuning in to the Future
In the fall, Aaron and his team plan to expand the program to include even more students across a wider range of countries and genres. He also hopes to include an additional in-person component to the program, though the virtual component will continue reaching and connecting international students from their own homes.
Aaron notes that he’d also like to add more of a musical entrepreneurship component in the future, drawing on his recent Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and experience as the manager of The Exchange.
“As we grow these programs, there will be a focus on giving students all the tools they need, that means the musical training, the skills, the technical equipment, and also the overall understanding and strategy of how to build yourself as a brand and a business,” Aaron said. “And then, of course, the most important part—the global awareness, the connections, and the curiosity that comes from these types of programs.”
Having recently completed an application for another CDAF grant, Aaron is excited about the next iteration of the Harmundi Foundation’s work.
“The State Department’s commitment to music diplomacy as a whole and to us specifically has been life changing,” he said. “Not just for us. Because it’s not just for us—it’s for all the students who are involved and their families.”
Are you interested in filmmaking? Would you like to learn more about how film can help preserve the world’s diversity?
Visual anthropologist, documentary filmmaker, and American Film Showcase ExchangeAlumni Dr. Steve Arounsack joins MentorTalks on Facebook and LinkedIn in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month.
Dr. Arounsack was the lead cultural advisor for the Disney film, Raya and the Last Dragon, and in this episode, we'll hear from him on his journey to working with Disney, the importance of representation in stories, and his advice to aspiring filmmakers.
“Going back and seeing the children who inspired this film [in Laos],” he said. “The thing that stuck out to me was seeing the kids tremble with hope…and they were saying they can see themselves on the big screen. For the world to take notice of their beautiful culture.”
Tune into our conversation with Dr. Arounsack and find out how you can have an impact on pop culture on the latest episode of MentorTalks now: https://bit.ly/MTstoriesmatter.
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Steve Arounsack is a visual anthropologist, filmmaker, and world builder whose ethnographic field experiences span 30 years. He has collaborated with some of the entertainment industry’s most renowned visual development teams to bring to life iconic Southeast Asian-themed characters and environments.
Notably, he served as the lead cultural advisor and visual anthropologist for the Oscar-nominated film Raya and the Last Dragon, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ first feature film inspired by the cultures of Southeast Asia. Before working on Hollywood films and global media, Dr. Arounsack produced documentaries that have aired on PBS and screened at major Asian American film festivals and international venues. His industry experiences have informed his teaching and workshops. He empowers youth around the world through storytelling presentations and workshops with partners such as Disney Global Public Policy, U.S. embassies, UNICEF, and the American Film Showcase.
In addition to his creative endeavors, Dr. Arounsack is a distinguished scholar. He earned the California State University system’s prestigious Wang Family Excellence Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship, one of the top faculty awards conferred by the largest public four-year university system in the United States. Dr. Arounsack was also part of the inaugural class of national Gates Millennium Scholars and earned a prestigious Sony Electronics award for innovative teaching. Dr. Arounsack is a professor of cultural anthropology and currently serves as the director of the Keck Visual Anthropology Lab (KVAL). He earned a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California, Davis.
Watch on Instagram
“There is a journey in front of you. Whatever this journey is, don’t underestimate the value of this process,” says Kafayat “Kaffy” Oluwatoyin Shafau on the most recent episode of MentorTalks.
In this episode, we discuss with Kaffy, a dancer, entrepreneur, and International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) as well as an Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Exchange Alumni, her journey to becoming a dancer, how she overcame obstacles to pursue her dream career, and how, in turn, dance has enabled her to give back to her family and community. The Guinness World Record breaker also shares her advice for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs.
Tune in now on Instagram @voicesofexchange!
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Kafayat Shafau is the founder/CEO of Kaffy Incorporated, a conglomerate with enterprises spanning entertainment, tech, fitness, media and philanthropy. She has expertise cutting across dance, choreography, fitness, directing, performance management, screen production, stage production, and public speaking. She is also the founder of The Kaffy Kreative Agency (formerly known as Imagneto Dance Company) which has developed young talents within and outside Nigeria.
Kaffy gained global attention when she broke the Guinness World Record for the longest dance party in 2006. After this, Kaffy went on to represent Nigeria in numerous other projects around the world and pioneer a thriving dance industry in Nigeria.
Kaffy has over 23 years of professional experience. She is also a seasoned dance instructor and has produced numerous dance performances and choreography for different music genres - Afrobeats, Fuji, RnB etc. For her work, Kaffy has been honored with various awards including: Best Choreographer of the Year – the Beats Award 2015, 2016 and 2018, Best Female Dancer of the Year – African Muzik Magazine Awards 2014, and the prestigious Special Recognition Award at The Headies 2018 – she is the first dance practitioner to be awarded this coveted accolade.
Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Michael O’Hearn, Edited by Maria Eliades and Emily Rand
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury’s life was forever altered following her return from her Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) international exchange program. The Bangladeshi ExchangeAlumni, winner of the President's Volunteer Service Gold Award by former President of the United States, Barack Obama, featured Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2021, and co-founder of Awareness 360 suddenly lost her mother due to diarrhea, galvanizing Shomy to devote her career to addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues.
“To lose someone so important from a preventable disease like diarrhea was shocking, to say the least and just simply unacceptable. That incident basically exposed me to the world of WASH,” Shomy said.
Shomy, along with her co-founder Rijve Arafin, created their non-profit to empower young people with transferable skills to take action towards sustainable development on a local level. Participants learn everything from pitching and storytelling, to project management and impact measurement at Awareness 360, which came after Shomy and Rijve discovered that young people needed multifaceted support to impact sustainable development (SDG) issues.
“That is sort of where we were like, let's build a platform together. We will target beginner level game changers, those who are interested or have started the journey but they want to take it to the next level. It's trying to get those people and give them those skills, tools, resources and support,” said Shomy.
One of Shomy’s ideas grounded in Awareness 360 is the interconnection of SDG goals and the success of youth seeking to make change only when they are connected to a network and array of resources.
“If I'm working on what’s most likely impacting the sex equality space or the climate action space; water, sex issues, climate issues, these are all very much intricately linked. I think the first thing is to find a passion and then doing a community mapping… finding out if there is any existing initiative, organization, or person that I could join forces with that I could bring my energy, expertise, time and ideas to them,” said Shomy.
Shomy herself has done extensive work serving underserved populations like sex workers in Bangladesh and collaborating with local organizations. But the work has not been without its challenges.
“When we did our very first project with them, it was extremely difficult…We couldn't do a normal presentation, or a normal workshop that we do in other places. We had to change our games, so we basically played quizzes and games and music of the kinds that they're used to speaking the local dialect. That sort of thing we really tried to adapt ourselves in that scenario and then the result was beautiful,” said Shomy.
Shomy and her team are still in contact with that community. In fact, during the pandemic Awareness 360 was the first nonprofit to step in to assist them including providing WASH essentials for healthy hygiene. Through Shomy and Awareness 360’s efforts they were able to build a long term relationship and shed light on this community, motivating other nonprofits to assist as well.
Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Sandhya Lohano
In the heart of both Boston and Rome, 80 students have come together for “Creative Collaborazione,” a journey of artistic expression. Guided Fulbright U.S. Student Program ExchangeAlumni, Alexa Beil and Stefanie Anarumo, this initiative has not only fostered artistic expression, but also formed global connections and cross-cultural understanding.
“Creative Collaborazione” provides a unique opportunity for students from both Ellis Mendell Elementary School in Boston, Massachusetts and the State Institute of Specialized Education for the Deaf in Rome, Italy to collaboratively write, design, perform, and produce live theater. This project, for students 9-12 years old, was funded by the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF), a $10,000 small grant offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State to U.S. Alumni of Government-sponsored exchange programs, and showcases the potential of the arts to break down barriers and build bridges between diverse communities.
Alexa and Stefanie both share a deep passion for arts education and accessibility, forming the backbone of their project – Alexa is an art teacher at Ellis Mendellin Boston and Stefanie is a theater practitioner–someone who works in theater in a variety of roles–who has been an Associate General Manager as well as an Assistant Director at Bay Street Theater in New York.
“I really do think and believe that the arts have the power to change lives and really believe that creativity and artistic expression brings people together regardless of differences, linguistic or otherwise,” Stefanie stated.
Their collaboration is rooted in their close friendship, originating from their time in graduate school together, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and shared dedication to fostering creativity.
Inspired by their respective Fulbright experiences,Alexa in Potsdam, Germany from 2016-2017 for the English Teaching Exchange Program and Stefanie in Rome, Italy in 2015 for a Fulbright research grant, they both envisioned a project that would merge theater and visual arts, creating an innovative platform for students to connect across continents. The “Creative Collaborazione” classes were very structured over the course of three weeks, with Alexa and Stefanie coordinating curriculum and goals during two weeks of preparation before the course. Following this, Stefanie traveled to Italy for on-site preparations, including setting up classrooms and introducing the project to other teachers and administrators.
Each week of the three-week program brought a distinctive focus to the classes. In the first week, students participated in intense brainstorming sessions, immersing themselves in the exploration of storytelling elements, character development, and plot structure. This initial phase provided a platform for students to share their ideas, which laid the foundation for a collaborative narrative. Moving into the second week, the students’ creative endeavors took place as they dedicated their time to designing backdrops and crafting props. This hands-on experience allowed the students to bring their wildest ideas to life. In the concluding week of the program, the focus shifted to fine-tuning all the aspects of the production, mirroring a traditional “tech week.” This phase encapsulated the culmination of their collaborative efforts, bringing storytelling, visual arts, and cultural exchange together into a cohesive final performance. In reflecting on the project, Alexa and Stefanie expressed immense pride in their students’ achievements.
“The success of Creative Collaborazione is a direct attribute to the incredible young artists who shared their immense talents on a local and global scale,” they said in their report after the project ended. “The arts have the incredible power to transcend differences, and replace them with friendships.”
The project emphasized the power of creativity and artistic expression in fostering connections, overcoming differences, and building a sense of community. The joy, care, and attention to detail displayed by the young artists was a testament to the power of letting children lead the creative process, and served as a reminder of the universal nature of human connection. Alexa and Stefanie’s dedication to building bridges across cultures through art, and their ability to create a supportive global community showcases the potential to create change through targeted projects like the CDAF.
Written by Alexandra McCaffity, a VSFS Intern with the U.S. Department of State. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degrees in Human Communication, Spanish, and Political Science with Trinity University
In the city of Nairobi, Alan Herbert, a Professional Fellows Program ExchangeAlumni and passionate advocate for the rights of individuals with albinism, embarked on a groundbreaking project to address the intersection of climate change and the unique vulnerabilities faced by this marginalized community. While Alan's journey began unexpectedly, a shared passion among friends for raising disability awareness paved the way for him to make a lasting impact on the overlooked aspects of the climate-change discourse.
Alan's interest in disability advocacy was ignited during an information session on the PFP international exchange program he attended on a whim. What started as a casual exploration of opportunities quickly transformed into a mission to create positive change. His project, titled "Impact of Climate Change on Individuals with Albinism," focused on regions facing heightened climate change impacts—Machakos, Kajiado, Kitui, and Nairobi counties. The comprehensive plan reached over 1,000 people in Machakos county with albinism through a targeted climate-change awareness campaign, continuing in its efforts to the remaining three counties. Alan envisioned a future where this community not only understood the risks posed by climate change, but also had the tools to mitigate these risks, which can include dangerous sunburns or skin cancer. Inspired and motivated by a Professional Fellows Program (PFP) alumna, Alan took the initiative to apply to the program, recognizing the potential to advocate for people with albinism.
Teaming up with Professional Fellow ExchangeAlumni Rachel Temoin and Sarah Wang'ombe, Alan combined their respective areas of expertise. Although Alan was not yet a PFP alumnus, Sarah and Rachel’s status as alumni led them to make the strategic decision to apply for the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) grant, successfully securing the necessary support to launch their project. “This project allowed me to merge my academic knowledge with the practical application of addressing climate change's impact on individuals with disabilities,” said Sarah, program manager.
Following the grant award, they encountered unforeseen challenges and surprises during the implementation phase, specifically in providing healthcare and information in rural areas. One startling revelation was the lack of awareness among healthcare workers regarding issues affecting minority groups. The project recognized the urgent need for training programs aimed at dispelling misconceptions about albinism, ensuring that healthcare providers fully understood the unique challenges faced by this community, namely the dangers of increased sun exposure, extreme temperatures, or displacement caused by environmental damage.
Collaboration played a crucial role in shaping the success of the project. Through the fellowship and friendship, Alan, Rachel, and Sarah formed a cohesive team, each contributing unique skills that felt like pieces of a puzzle coming together to start the project. Reflecting on his journey, Alan emphasized the role of networking with alumni, advising aspiring change-makers to take their time and align with accountable organizations. His organization, Black Albinism, which started in college and grew with AEIF support, became a credible platform for advocacy. Alan stressed the significance of collaboration, staying in touch with alumni, and engaging embassy offices for support. "If I hadn't networked with other alumni, the Black Albinism project might have remained a distant idea. It's essential to recognize that seemingly far-fetched projects demand guidance and connection,” Alan said.
Technology has also become a key ally in Black Albinism’s quest to bridge the information gap, and exciting initiatives are being developed as outcomes from the project’s growth. The UVSAFE initiative created by the team, a platform similar to Amazon, will provide government information and services, daily UV index alerts, weather reminders, and resources for sunscreen application, parenting, and youth fashion. This innovative approach will not only facilitate information dissemination but will also allow for sunscreen donations to reach those in need. The project also plans to address the delicate balance individuals with albinism face between protection and fashion trends. Alan is continuing to advocate for adaptive and protective yet fashionable clothing, emphasizing the importance of considering both functionality and style in ensuring the community's well-being.
Alan's story is one of resilience, passion, and a commitment to making a difference. In the face of climate change, he has not only raised awareness but also pioneered solutions, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of individuals with albinism and inspiring others to join the cause.
Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Isabella Romine
Armed with his photography skills and a desire to make a difference, Cameron Peagler, a Gilman International Scholarship Exchange Alumni, developed his latest project, Black Gold, which won a small grant during the 2023 Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) small-grant competition. The project combined interviews with portrait photography to capture the experiences of 30 Black American creatives and entrepreneurs living in Japan.
Cameron’s interest in Japan was sparked during his international exchange in 2013. He characterized the experience as transformative, enabling him to see a world and ways of living he hadn’t previously known. His host family stay was especially impactful despite the language barrier –at the start of his exchange, Cameron spoke little Japanese.
“They showed me so much love and care. It didn't matter what I looked like to them. They just treated me as family; [and] they still are my family to this day,” he said. “I learned that it doesn't matter what your race is, your ethnicity is. We can all treat each other with kindness.”
Between his first exchange program and his return to Japan in August 2019, Cameron worked as a registered nurse for several years in Dayton, Ohio, and trained to be a nationally competitive fencer.
Cameron’s desire to gain more international experiences remained, and after a year working as a Gilman Ambassador, he joined the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) as an English teacher. Back in Japan, he developed his passion for photography, and made connections that helped him conceive the Black Gold project. While he originally hoped the experience would help him become a Foreign Service Officer, his second foray into Japan helped him decide to pursue an artistic career instead.
“[The project] was something I came up with organically on my own as a creative –a creative and a public servant. Right? I'm both. I don't consider myself one or the other,” Cameron said.
Stories as a source of social change
Black Gold was largely motivated by Cameron’s own life-changing study abroad experience in Japan and the underrepresentation of Black students abroad. As recently as 2020, only about five percent of students studying abroad were Black.
“Studying abroad as a Black person, it's rare –at least in my local community back home. One of my close friends [from home] had his first airplane ride, like, maybe three months ago, just to another state. That was it. But it just shows that the people who came out here [to Japan] –for whatever reason –have a story to be shared. And what that story is is an opportunity to help other people,” Cameron explained.
The project quickly gained momentum in the Black community in Japan. Cameron began with an interview with columnist Baye McNeil, who writes for national newspaper, The Japan Times. Baye introduced Cameron to the famous Black photographer, Matthew Jordan Smith, who later became his mentor in the world of photography. Other interviews followed suit: participants invested in the project’s success and eagerly introduced Cameron to other connections who in turn became part of the project.
Contributors included models, content creators, musicians, artists, business owners, and others who shared their own experiences living and building community in Japan, as well as their advice for Black youth. The project is also a platform for them to share their success stories, including the reflection that in living in another country, the participants were more truly allowed to be themselves.
Though Cameron was the project leader of Black Gold, his teammates also supported the project both in Japan and in the United States. Team co-leader and fellow Gilman International Scholarship Exchange Alumni Bensen Kwan arranged parts of the project from the United States, and Katherine Harrington raised the project’s profile in Japan. Alia Cameron and a fellow Gilman ExchangeAlumni, Kaia Lane, helped set up galleries for the project’s exhibitions.
Exhibitions of the project took place in fall 2023 in Tokyo, Yamaguchi, and Yokohama in Japan, and at Wright State University, Ohio State University, and Delaware University in the United States. In Tokyo, creatives who had taken part in the project put on performances, showcasing their talents to the local community and strengthening the relations between the Black American and Japanese community.
Moving forward, Cameron hopes to become an artistic director. He wants to specialize in photography, using said skills as a force for positive social change and cultural diplomacy through initiatives similar to the Black Gold project. One of his ongoing projects, Iced Layers, seeks to raise mental health awareness and body positivity in young women in Japan.
Acknowledging that these opportunities wouldn’t have happened without his original exchange experience, Cameron encourages students or others interested in the Black Gold project to reach out to him, which can be done through his email at cameron@hirolabel.com.
The Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund is now accepting applications from U.S Department of State alums for the 2024 cycle. Applications are open now through March 20, 2024.
Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Michael O’Hearn
Arienne "Ari" Jones, believes crime happens because society fails people. The Senior Program Manager at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions (AFCS) and Fulbright ExchangeAlumni says the legal system creates harsher sentences than are necessary, which she’s on a mission to change.
Ari has worked towards justice reform for her whole career —and has even written two laws to curb excessive jail times. But she doesn’t think her work should be seen as a revolution in the legal system in the United States.
“I don't want anyone to look at what I did, and say, ‘Wow, that was really progressive.’ I want them to say we can do more than this,” Ari said. “I want for what I did to be just a stepping stone on the way to a radically more equitable society or a radically more gracious and grace-filled society.”
Civic Justice Roots in International Exchange
Ari’s reform work started even before her career in civic justice. When she was a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at a secondary institution in Comunidad de Madrid, she co-taught Global Classrooms and headed a school-wide project on the American Civil Rights Movement.
“Through teaching and learning with my students in Global Classrooms, I really started to more deeply appreciate the intersection of history, mutual understanding, and the work that I wanted to do in my then-future career,” Ari said. “That knowledge has helped me in the first part of my career by strengthening my ability to see the law through a more nuanced, less binary lens.”
In Ari’s post-exchange life, her passion for civic justice has taken her to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Illinois, where she served as a Senior Policy Advisor, and now to her present work as the Senior Program Manager for Justice and Equity at AFCS.
“From [my] work [at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office], I just learned that I want people to be free. I cannot stress enough how much crimes are really more often than not the result of something awful that's happened in your life leading up to that moment,” Ari said.
Ari stressed that some people, often people of color, suffer from inequalities in the prison system. In her work, she sets out to address and reform these disparities through housing and employment initiatives. Her biggest accomplishment, she said, was in investigating housing and employment discrimination at the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, resulting in mandatory housing discrimination awareness classes for the property managers found guilty of discrimination.
At the Aspen Institute, she is still focused on social justice, but has shifted her tactics by tackling the problem with educating the youth. Her current project will create a space and platform for young people impacted by injustice.
“Youth have an absolute voice and an absolute vision for the world they want and so to be at this organization that centers that voice, particularly when those voices tend to come from youth of color and particularly Black youth is really powerful,” Ari said.
To learn more about Ari’s pursuit of social justice, don’t miss the recent MentorTalks episode featuring her and Dr. Brian MacHarg: https://lnkd.in/eUXvEgAM.
