Global Youth Matters

Kenneth Downing

Kenneth Downing has had a very active life thus far. He’s been a professional tennis coach, worked for the Washington DC’’s Mayor’s office, and is now a Manager at Bergamot Asset Management. At the same time, he is also a writer of books and is working on a PhD. He shares his challenging life experiences, from growing up in the US and Germany to facing homelessness and finding his passion in finance, philanthropy, and theology. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, seeking mentors and therapists, and embracing both the positive and negative experiences in life. He concludes by discussing the significance of understanding one's identity and knowing when to prioritize feelings and when to take action.
https://www.bergamotam.com/about#OurTeam
https://www.bergamotam.com/philanthropy

Lily Vining

Lily Vining is a podcaster, storyteller, lover of words, and fitness fanatic. Originally from Connecticut, Lily is a recent graduate of Franklin & Marshall College with passions for showcasing inspiring stories through her writing and content creation. After battling an eating disorder in her teens, she developed a love for strength training and is an aspiring bodybuilding competitor. She documents her journey through social media and her podcast, “Level Up with Lily”, where she also interviews guests about their process of becoming the best versions of themselves every day.

Rodrigo Pedraza

Rodrigo Pedraza, a 22 year old first generation Colombian immigrant, has overcome challenges with Coming Out, mental health, and confidence. He is the oldest of four boys, a die-hard Swiftie, and a strong believer in the power of self-reflection. He recently graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Biological Sciences and currently works as a high school biology teacher at DC International School. Rodrigo aspires to some day work in the medical field, entertainment industry, or as a teacher in Europe.
Instagram: @rodri.pdg

Naya Salah

Hana interviews her niece Naya Salah, a college student, talented singer and cancer survivor. Naya opens up about her battle with leukemia and the challenges she faced during treatment. She emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset and resilience in overcoming difficult times. While being a student, she has also pursued her passion for music by publishing songs on various platforms.

Asher

Hana’s guest is a 15-year-old student at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC. Asher shares their passion for technical design and production in theatre. They discuss the impact of DC Scores on their life, particularly in discovering their talent for writing and performing poetry as a means to manage and express emotions. Asher also opens up about their experiences with family challenges, the value of embracing mistakes, finding supportive friends, and sharing personal stories.

Nicky Maxwell

Nicky Maxwell is a 26 year-old amputee from London, and has been involved in disability sports for almost his entire life. He trained and competed as a sprinter for many years, including at Harvard University, where he became the first amputee to compete in the history of NCAA Division 1 track and field. He is now involved in Para-Standing Tennis as a player and an organizer.

Zarea Boyde

Zarea is a DC-based writer and educator who works closely with youth and activism groups in her community. Zarea’s passion for poetry was sparked when she joined DC SCORES when she was 7 years old. She continued with DC SCORES through the organization’s enhanced writing program, Youth W.O.R.D. Project. Zarea has performed her poetry all over DC including Audi Field, Busboys and Poets, Arena Stage, and Capitol Hill. Zarea is currently a Program Coordinator of Creative Writing and Arts for DC SCORES.

Tanaka Escapes the 2022 Ukraine Invasion

Tanaka Cliff Nhokwara grew up in Zimbabwe and Uganda. In pursuit of his dream to be a physician, he was attending medical school at Sumy State University in Ukraine when the Russian army invaded. Like millions of others he was forced to flee the country amidst almost daily bombings, drone strikes, and tanks. Eventually he completed his medical degree in neighboring Poland. His story is one of resilience and determination in the face of unimaginable circumstances.
 
 

Toluwalase Kolapo-Bello

Tolu is a 23 year old Nigerian student who was pursuing her dream of going to medical school in the Ukraine. In 2022, in her fifth year of medical school, the full scale invasion of the Ukraine began. With bombs falling on or near her city, she and hundreds of other students were forced to flee to neighboring countries. Buses and trains were overcrowded, discriminated against non-Ukrainians, and none were able to go all the way to the border. Tolu ended up walking to the Hungarian border.  Tolu tells her story of getting into medical school, escaping the war and continuing medical school. A story of resilience and courage!

Macire Aribot and Nassim Ashford

Inspired by their deep connections to the African Diaspora, Atlanta natives Macire and Nassim have transformed their educational achievements into powerful vehicles for social change. Macire, with roots in Conakry, Guinea, holds a Master's in International Affairs from Columbia, building on her Bachelor's in Global Development and International Affairs from Mercer University. Nassim, of African American and Jamaican heritage, completed his Master of Public Health at Yale, following his undergraduate studies in Global Health and Global Development at Mercer. Motivated by the global Black Lives Matter movement and the tragic death of George Floyd, they co-founded NoirUnited International in 2020. This NGO dedicates itself to empowering Black and marginalized communities worldwide, focusing on development, humanitarian assistance, and community-based research and advocacy.
Website: https://www.noirunited.org/