I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts by way of Somalia, and graduated in 2022 from Vassar College with a bachelor’s degree in Africana studies and a minor in English.

I am deeply moved to fight injustice and committed to finding liberation and hope in everyday, mundane moments. I’m called to do this work primarily through my love for language and words. I am a poet and creative writer, and I am currently working on my first poetry collection. I hope to empower people through their words and worlds that they create both on the page and off it.

Other hobbies and ways I de-stress include watching anime, walking, listening to music, and doing fun makeup—I love painting my face and expressing myself through the art on my face.

I became a coach because I really valued the mentors and coaches in my high school and college experience. I wanted to be able to give back what was given to me. I am passionate about leveling the playing field in college for first-gen and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. I believe that connecting with students who have similar lived experiences allows me to pass on crucial knowledge that allowed me to thrive in college.

Coaching gives students a person in their corner who not only supports them but also listens to them; we’re fully there for students emotionally, academically and mentally. We can also support in more practical ways, like with tapping into resources to make things easier.

In college, I tried to do too much and extended myself beyond my capacity. I wish I had practiced self-preservation, protecting and preserving my energy. Instead, I focused on academics and neglected time with friends and loved ones, which led to burnout after a few semesters.

Building networks of care and support is key to success in college. None of us can do it by ourselves; having people in your corner is so pivotal. I would not have been able to get to where I am today without people uplifting and believing in me.

A professor, invoking Toni Morrison, told me “You wanna fly, you got to give up the stuff that weighs you down.” This advice has stayed with me over the years. As someone who rarely was given choices in my younger years it was really important for me to decide to let go of expectations and external pressure from people who did not have my best interest in mind. By giving up the stuff that weighed me down, I was able to put myself first and soar into my dreams.