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Thursday, Feb. 25 @ 7:00 PM
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Storytelling Night: Companionship
In honor of Black History Month, we have asked our speakers to reflect on times of companionship in their lives. Our speakers will tell us stories of love and companionship through unimaginable difficulties, and unparalleled joy. |
THEME
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” A companion is someone who makes you feel seen, known and understood, and the resulting connection can give you a sense of belonging. Stories of love and companionship have carried people through unimaginable difficulties, and provided unparalleled joy. Tell your story about a time that a companionship made a meaningful impact in your life.
OUR STORYTELLERS
Léonce Byimana is the executive director of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) in Washington, D.C., and a clinical psychologist who holds an MPH. A health professional and dedicated human rights activist, he previously served in the role of program director for the Western New York Center for Survivors of Torture at the Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County. He also worked in Rwanda for organizations such as Clinton Health Access Initiative, Delagua Health/UK, Handicap International and Partners in Health. Mr. Byimana holds a postgraduate degree in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution from the School of International Training, Vermont; a Master of Science in Public Health from the International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Central Region; and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology, National University of Rwanda.
Teklit Michael is an activist and community organizer from Eritrea, as well as an educator in his church. Michael also spent over a decade as an asylum seeker in Israel with no legal status, where he spearheaded numerous community outreach initiatives, worked with several human rights organizations in pursuit of social justice for his community.
Kofi Ofori was born and raised in Ghana, a country that is considered to be the center of the world, the source of the Kente Cloth and one of the world's leading producers of the cocoa beans for chocolate production across the globe. He moved to the UK to attain higher education where he received a graduate degree in Marketing Analytics from the University of Southampton. Kofi loves to share knowledge with his friends in Ghana in order to bring them up to speed with the latest technological trends and advancements. In his spare time, Kofi volunteers with SABLE (Sustaining Active Black Leadership) Business Resource Group , Maryland ToolBank and Maryland Food Bank. Kofi resides in Maryland with his wife , two children and mother in law.Kofi also loves movies and good music.
Esi Panford is of Ghanian heritage, recently moved to the DMV area one year ago from Massachusetts. She has a healthcare background, having worked for managed care organizations and completed projects related to the Affordable Care Act. Esi is a certified project management professional and has a BA in sociology from Tufts University and a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Villanova University. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia.
David Mutombo is a Community Servant, who has spent the past seven years working for several organizations dedicated to improving today’s social and economic challenges. David is originary from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and fluently speaks French and Swahili. As an immigrant who arrived in the United States alone, ten years ago, David has firsthand experience of the benefits of friendships to one’s personal and professional growth. David is an alumnus of Eastern Mennonite University, with a degree in International Business. When he is not working for a DMV Refugee Resettlement Organization, he loves to spend time with his wife and their beautiful daughter. He works with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area.
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” A companion is someone who makes you feel seen, known and understood, and the resulting connection can give you a sense of belonging. Stories of love and companionship have carried people through unimaginable difficulties, and provided unparalleled joy. Tell your story about a time that a companionship made a meaningful impact in your life.
OUR STORYTELLERS
Léonce Byimana is the executive director of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) in Washington, D.C., and a clinical psychologist who holds an MPH. A health professional and dedicated human rights activist, he previously served in the role of program director for the Western New York Center for Survivors of Torture at the Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County. He also worked in Rwanda for organizations such as Clinton Health Access Initiative, Delagua Health/UK, Handicap International and Partners in Health. Mr. Byimana holds a postgraduate degree in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution from the School of International Training, Vermont; a Master of Science in Public Health from the International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Central Region; and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology, National University of Rwanda.
Teklit Michael is an activist and community organizer from Eritrea, as well as an educator in his church. Michael also spent over a decade as an asylum seeker in Israel with no legal status, where he spearheaded numerous community outreach initiatives, worked with several human rights organizations in pursuit of social justice for his community.
Kofi Ofori was born and raised in Ghana, a country that is considered to be the center of the world, the source of the Kente Cloth and one of the world's leading producers of the cocoa beans for chocolate production across the globe. He moved to the UK to attain higher education where he received a graduate degree in Marketing Analytics from the University of Southampton. Kofi loves to share knowledge with his friends in Ghana in order to bring them up to speed with the latest technological trends and advancements. In his spare time, Kofi volunteers with SABLE (Sustaining Active Black Leadership) Business Resource Group , Maryland ToolBank and Maryland Food Bank. Kofi resides in Maryland with his wife , two children and mother in law.Kofi also loves movies and good music.
Esi Panford is of Ghanian heritage, recently moved to the DMV area one year ago from Massachusetts. She has a healthcare background, having worked for managed care organizations and completed projects related to the Affordable Care Act. Esi is a certified project management professional and has a BA in sociology from Tufts University and a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Villanova University. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia.
David Mutombo is a Community Servant, who has spent the past seven years working for several organizations dedicated to improving today’s social and economic challenges. David is originary from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and fluently speaks French and Swahili. As an immigrant who arrived in the United States alone, ten years ago, David has firsthand experience of the benefits of friendships to one’s personal and professional growth. David is an alumnus of Eastern Mennonite University, with a degree in International Business. When he is not working for a DMV Refugee Resettlement Organization, he loves to spend time with his wife and their beautiful daughter. He works with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area.
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Sunday, Feb. 28 @ 6:00 PM
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Cooking Class: Homemade Pad Thai with Bess
Bess is back with KAMA DC by popular demand! Pad Thai is one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. Who doesn’t love Pad Thai? Because we do! This dish combines tastes that are sweet, sour and a little spicy. This is one of our favorite foods and we would love to share it with you. Pad Thai sauce has many different recipes, but two of the main ingredients are tamarind puree and palm sugar. In this class, Bess will teach us to make homemade Pad Thai sauce, and how to prepare your Pad Thai plate as its made in Thailand. |
Bess is a professional graphic artist who moved to the United States in 2018. Born and raised in Thailand, Bess has traveled throughout Asia, including living in China for 4 years while studying for her Master's degree. It was in China when she started cooking regularly in order to have some of the comforts she missed from home, and then here in the U.S. when she relocated to be with the love of her life. When she is not working or volunteering for various causes, Bess enjoys cooking Thai foods and learning new recipes from the Internet. She admits that she has a sweet tooth, so she enjoys running and yoga daily in order to help balance her life. Stay connected with Bess on Instagram at @my_deegallery.