Global Youth Matters

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/

Yasma Baalbaki

Hana's guest, Yasma, is a remarkable youth of only 16. Born and raised in Lebanon, the economic situation in that country lead her family to move to Dubai in 2020. At the same time, she fought an eating disorder that eventually required temporary hospitalization. While in the hospital, she and her mother started a charity - leveraging Yasma's creative artwork - to benefit children with cancer through donations.  While still in a 'recovery' mode herself today, she is also in the process of courageously sharing her private journey as a teen having an eating disorder. You will be inspired by Hana's conversation with this amazing youth.
Yasma's Charity - Feel 2 Heal: https://bit.ly/3JWd46a  All proceeds benefit: the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon @ccclebanon and the Middle East Eating Disorders Association, @meedassociation.

Sevyn Evans

Sevyn, age 14, is an aspiring basketball player and a top student. Growing up in a neighborhood with violence, he share some of his wisdom on how to stay focused in this environment. He also shares his experiences and knowledge gained through his participation in youth activities at the Hustlers Guild.
The Hustlers Guild (HG) is a 501 (c)(3), social impact organization founded by policy experts with over 15 years of experience to educate and expose students of low-income households to careers in sports and entertainment. Since 2017, HG has provided free services to over 250k middle, high school, and college students across the country.
Website: https://www.hustlersguild.org/

Yasmeen Nekoo

Yasmeen shares her passion for the environment. She is a recent Cum Laude/Dean's list graduate from the University of Maryland in environmental science and policy and is beginning her master's at Columbia University for Climate Studies in the fall. As a teenager, she was diagnosed with serious spinal disease that eventually required surgery, involving a difficult recovery and rehabilitation. Her story is one of sheer will and determination conquering adversity and then reaching success.
 
Visit her website at: https://www.yasmeen-nekoo.com/

Cateo Hilton and David Adams

Cateo and David met at an organization called Life Pieces to Masterpieces in Washington DC when they were both only in elementary school. LPTM uses artistic expression to develop character and leadership and prepare African American boys and young men to transform their lives and communities. https://lifepieces.org/ Now college students at Delaware State University, they make time to serve as Junior Mentors at LPTM, giving back to the group that helped shape their futures.
Additionally, they started their own program called Brothers In Power for mentoring High School students in Delaware"
The hand sign in the photo is a symbol for the program representing brotherhood and togetherness. 
Cateo also spoke and introduced President Joe Biden at a White House event celebrating African History month in 2022. Watch here: https://bit.ly/412Y2ld  His portions begins at: 49:13.