Growing up as a child in Somali and Kenya there was a lot of political fighting taking place, and my family and I relocated to Saudia Arabia. We were in Saudia Arabia for 3-years, until the government officials found out that were illegal immigrants, we were jailed for trespassing. My family and I were jailed for months in Saudi Arabia for being illegal immigrants.

I was an angry child growing up. My family and I were stationed in a small jail awaiting freedom… It was a long road to freedom. The only access to liberty I had was a window. I dreamed of a bigger world beyond my reach. However, freedom seemed out of reach. I missed things that normal children my age take for granted. Then again, normal children my age were not stuck in prison with five other children, me, being the middle child. I missed ordinary activities: walking barefoot, running around the neighborhood with my friends, being a child. I don’t think that experience broken my spirit, but it sharpened my mind, and made me a KID –ADULT.

In high school I was introduced to REAP, an organization dedicated to student voice and empowering students to be global leaders. I wasn't really sure what REAP really saw in me and I slowly began to come out of my box the more I participated in REAP leadership activities. Then, I began to see my own potential and abilities. Some of the opportunities that I was exposed to through REAP instilled in me invaluable experiences and skills, that has made me the young, gifted, and black woman that I am today.

From a very young age I can remember listening and learning to speak with people from different tribes and even different countries. It was then I understood the importance of each person’s voice and the unique gift they bring to this world. Through REAP I have learned to elevate my VOICE to change the world.

As a REAP Ambassador since high school, I organized the first African/African American Student Leadership Conference for the Beaverton School District that hosted former Governor Ted Kulongoski and former Mayor Rob Drake of the City of Beaverton. My experiences with REAP led to increased student engagement and scholastic achievement among students of color at my school. My experience with REAP became the catalyst that has propelled me to serve my community in various leadership roles.

While in college I served as a student leader for Black Student Affairs at Portland State University, translator for the Beaverton School District, mentor at Hosford Middle School, member of the Beaverton City Council Diversity Taskforce and student ambassador for Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation. I am a 2013 graduate of Portland State University with a degree in Community Health focused in Environmental Health and I recently completed an internship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. I currently work for Ground Work in the city of Portland advocate for policies that enhance environmental health.