Global Youth Matters

Selena Jackson

Selena “Noir” Jackson, born and raised in Washington DC, attended Montgomery College School of Art where she earned her A.F.A. in Studio Arts and is an active alum of the Sitar Arts Center. Noir remains active in her community as an art educator. She finds passion in bridging the gap between class and art for DC youth through the emphasis on activism, individualism, and the creation of antiracist spaces.
Her website: https://www.selenoirstudios.com/
Sitar Arts Center, Washington DC: https://www.sitarartscenter.org/

A Union of Art And Science

Raised by his mom in DC with his three sister, money was challenging growing up. Israel was born in New York, grew up in DC, and has an Afro-Latino background. He graduated from Shepherd University in West Virginia with a B.S. in Biochemistry, with the goal of becoming a toxicologist. He credits his community of support at Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC with much of his success not only as an artist, but as a scientist and a leader. At the Center, he studied mainly piano as well as theater for more than 10 years.

Nayla Nasr

A freshman at American University from Dubai, Nayla talks about her struggles with depression and how she overcame it to pursue her career dreams in film and media arts.

LeRoy Phillips

A native of Guyana, LeRoy has been completely blind since early childhood. But that hasn’t slowed him down. He is currently a radio announcer and producer at the National Communications Network. A Professional Cricket player at West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Guyana Blind Cricket Association. He has also served as a public relations specialist. You’ll be amazed by this young man.
 

Natalie Hanby

Natalie is a junior at the University of Michigan studying Biomedical Engineering on the Pre-Medical track. She also works as a research assistant in cancer and oncology. She talks about managing an extremely challenging academic program while her father was fighting cancer himself.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-hanby-84b6191aa/
 
 

Thien-Nam Dinh

Thien holds a Masters Degree from Rice University. He is currently working as a cyber security and block chain technology expert based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has also co-founded and is Board president of a nonprofit that features an innovative charitable donation platform, Token Ibis, tokenibis.org.
Photo: Allen Winston (winstonfoto.com)

Kassia Oset

Journalist, book author, world traveler, and podcaster, Kassia Oset relates her journey as a creative person. She also shares how her adventurous and bold spirit helps her navigate challenges.
Her podcast: https://have-we-met-before.castos.com/

Sardar Qaidi

A college student from Kurdistan region in Iraq, Sardar Qaidi, describes his journey as an “Internally Displaced Person”. He will be studying psychology in the United States with ambitions to eventually treat people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in his community.

Phenom Tennis Player Overcomes Adversity

Hana’s guest is a rising, young athlete, Sibi Soumahoro. From the humblest of origins in the Ivory Coast, Sibi’s story of unwavering commitment to his sport, the support of family and coaches, and never losing sight of his dream, will inspire you. You will definitely hear this young man’s name on the pro tennis circuit in the future!
His Go Fund Me Account: gofund.me/7ffa90a5