We Are All America Refugee
and Immigrant Leadership Table
WAAA National Refugee and Immigrant Leadership Table
Welcome to the heart of the We Are All America campaign—the National Refugee and Immigrant Leadership Table (RILT). As a national leadership program led by a diverse cohort of refugees and immigrants, our group serves as a driving force within the campaign. We ensure representation, inclusivity, and active engagement of individuals with lived experience, positioning us at the forefront of policy and advocacy work at the local, state, and federal levels.
Mission:
At the WAAA National Refugee and Immigrant Leadership Table, our primary objective is to foster leadership among immigrants and refugees dedicated to policy and advocacy. We empower local and state leaders to actively participate in decision-making processes, offering them resources, training, funding, and support to navigate policy complexities and advocate effectively for our communities.
What RILT Offers:
- Leadership Development:- Our leadership development programs provide tailored support, resources, and training to immigrant and refugee leaders, empowering them to become effective advocates and change-makers in their communities.
- Policy Advocacy Training:- We offer specialized training in advocacy techniques, legislative processes, coalition building, and digital organizing to equip leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to influence policy decisions and drive systemic change.
- Mentorship Programs:- Our mentorship programs pair experienced advocates with emerging leaders, fostering knowledge sharing, skill development, and professional networking opportunities.
- Public Speaking Engagements:- We provide platforms for leaders to share their stories, amplify their voices, and advocate for their communities through public speaking engagements, presentations, and media appearances.
- Technical Assistance:- We offer technical assistance and support to immigrant and refugee leaders, ranging from legal guidance to logistical support, to ensure they have the necessary resources to succeed in their advocacy efforts.
- Focus on Healing and Wellness:– We prioritize healing, wellness, and community achievements, providing a supportive space for leaders to practice self-care, resilience, and solidarity while addressing the challenges faced by refugees and immigrants.
- Community Solidarity:- We foster solidarity among diverse racial, ethnic, and faith groups, creating a sense of belonging and collective empowerment among participants.
The WAAA National Refugee and Immigrant Table comprises over 44 leaders representing refugees and immigrants from 17 states across the United States. These leaders bring a wealth of diversity, hailing from 20 countries and speaking 30 languages. Their collective experiences and perspectives inform and guide WAAA’s initiatives, ensuring they remain grounded in the real-life experiences of those affected by refugee and immigrant issues.
Our Impact:
The collective expertise of the Table contributes to a cohesive advocacy approach that effectively advocates for and uplifts the needs of immigrants and refugees nationwide. Through their active participation, these leaders play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the WAAA campaign. Above all, the We Are All America National Refugee and Immigrant Table empowers local leaders to participate in a collective effort at the forefront of refugee and immigrant movements, driving positive change and progress for all our communities.
Join the Movement:
To join the table, please complete the following application and one of our Executive Committee members will reach out to you. To learn more about our highlights and accomplishments, please click HERE.
Executive Committee
National Table Leaders
Endorsements
The WAAA Refugee and Immigrant National Table Executive Committee serves a variety of critical roles in supporting advocacy and organizing efforts for the Table. They are recognized as refugee and immigrant leaders who are committed to the coordination, collaboration, and expansion of the table and are responsible for the following:
- Setting the vision and framework for collective action Providing guidance for operations and decision-making
- Supporting and responding to the recruitment of emerging refugee leaders.
Our Executive Committee members include
Nejra Sumic
Chair
National Field Manager
We Are All America
Nejra Sumic
National Field Manager
Languages: Bosnian, English, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish
Email: [email protected]
Nejra Sumic is a former Refugee, who was forced to flee from her home country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After a long and dangerous journey, Nejra and her family were finally granted asylum as Refugees into the United States. They were able to overcome a great deal of adversity, including adapting to a new culture and building a new life.
Being a former Refugee, not only instilled her sense of purpose, but also fueled her determination and passion. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Arizona State University and a Master’s in Public Administration at Western International University. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Bosnian, and several other dialects.
Mrs. Sumic has been a refugee advocate for many years, working at various human rights organizations. In her current role, she is the National Field Manager with the We Are All America Campaign, where she helps organize refugee leaders across the country. She is most passionate in advocating for refugees because they are helping shape our nation’s history of inclusion, bringing rich cultural diversity, and contributing to our communities.
Kosar Kosar
Co-chair
Multicultural Organizer
Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Kosar Kosar
Multicultural Organizer
Kosar was born and raised in Nashville, TN, to Somali refugees. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies.
Kosar serves as the Multicultural Organizer at the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), leading community education and outreach efforts on statewide campaigns and services to ensure that immigrant and refugee communities have accurate and timely information about TIRRC’s campaigns and services. He leads TIRRC’s Black Immigrant Caucus, a group dedicated to creating space for Black immigrant community members and leaders across the state to connect and ensure Black immigrants can shape TIRRC’s campaign priorities and goals.
Lastly, in conjunction with his work at TIRRC, Kosar is an organizer with We Are All America (WAAA) and a co-chair of WAAA’s Refugee Leadership Table.
Adamou Mohamed
Member at Large
Associate Director of Grassroots Organizing
Church World Service
Ali Aljundi
Member at Large
Membership Engagement Manager
Refugee Congress
Anahita Panahi
Member at Large
Deputy Director of Refugee Affairs
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
Isabel López
Secretary
Digital Organizer
We Are All America
Myrna Orozco
Member at Large
Organizing Coordinator
Church World Service
Nili Yossinger
Member at Large
Executive Director
Refugee Congress
Elena Prozorova
New York
Russian-speaking Community Council, Inc. (RCC)
Sharon Njie
Louisiana
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants
Ruben Torres
Maine
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Amran Osman
Maine
Generational Noor
Marina Chakmakchi
Maine
University of Southern Maine
Vanuza Fernanda Mateus
Oklahoma
Yutu Housing and Community Services
Ali Aljundi
Massachusetts
Refugee Congress
Anahita Panahi
California
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
Beyza Burcak Klein
New York
Community Sponsorship Hub
Bwema Matata
New York
Djamal Diouf
Maryland
Mobile Pathways
Dmitri Daniel Glinski
New York
Russian-speaking Community Council, Inc.
Ekram Hanna
Illinois
Middle Eastern Immigrants and Refugee Alliance
Emman Abbas
Oregon
Fereshteh Ganjavi
Connecticut
Elena’s Light
Isabel Kayembe
Rhode Island
Refugee Congress
Jacqueline Mugwaneza
Maine
Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
Jihan Daman
Michigan
St. Rita Family Services, Inc.
Kawser Amine
Kosar Kosar
Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Machhadie Micho Assi
Michigan
Matondo Ngemba
Ohio
Community Change
Myrna Orozco
Missouri
Church World Service
Paul Mwingwa
Montana
Refugee Congress
Pierre Uwimana
Florida
Florida Immigrant Coalition
Ray Sookchain
Minnesota
Isuroon
Rodrigue Makele
Virginia
Church World Service
Sara Louis-Ayo
Louisiana
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants(LORI)
Sharifah Hussain
Texas
Rohingya Women Development Network-RWDN
Tea Rozman
Minnesota
Green Card Voices
Zinah Kadhim
Illinois
Middle Eastern Immigrants and Refugee Alliance
Testimonials
The table helps me connect to other forcibly displaced individuals and asylum seekers. It helps me learn more how i could be helpful as a refugee who lives in the United States of America.
Bwema,
Refugee from DRC
Thank you for inviting me to be part of this group. I believe our strength is when we work together.
Ekram,
SIV Holder
