DAWNers of the Month
2011
Each month, DAWN recognizes its outstanding members for their leadership, expertise and dedication to community service. Read below to meet a few of our fantastic DAWNers!
January 2011 - Heather Cabral
Heather Cabral's African heritage lies in the Cape Verde islands off the coast of West Africa. She grew up in New England and found herself in Washington DC, when she decided to attend Howard University. There, she studied television production and graphic design. For the past few years, Heather has worked as a publicist for the National Geographic Society. She helped facilitate the Empowering Women in Africa Symposium in partne rship with the British Embassy for two years and worked on a variety of events related to Africa. Now, Heather is currently in transition and due to begin a new position at Brookings in February.
Growing up in a densely populated Cape Verdean community, she was raised to preserve her roots, and always give back to Cape Verde. Her passion and love for her people and community landed Heather a seat on the board of the DC Cape Verdean Network where she serves as the Communications Officer. The DCCVN works closely with the Embassy of Cape Verde in keeping the small but growing CV Community in Washington, DC together through monthly events that foster a close-knit community. Currently the DCCVN is developing a three part series with the Smithsonian Museum of African Art to teach museum visitors about Cape Verde through music, dance and native cuisine.
Heather always strives to be a positive voice and figure not just for Cape Verdeans but all Africans in any way she can. Most recently she exhibited this by writing an op-ed in the New Bedford Standard Times newspaper, in response to an article that lacked cultural sensitivity on the annual Cape Verdean Festival in Onset Massachusetts, giving a voice to an often-voiceless group. Heather has been a member of DAWN for two years and looks forward to contributing to its growth in the new year.
Growing up in a densely populated Cape Verdean community, she was raised to preserve her roots, and always give back to Cape Verde. Her passion and love for her people and community landed Heather a seat on the board of the DC Cape Verdean Network where she serves as the Communications Officer. The DCCVN works closely with the Embassy of Cape Verde in keeping the small but growing CV Community in Washington, DC together through monthly events that foster a close-knit community. Currently the DCCVN is developing a three part series with the Smithsonian Museum of African Art to teach museum visitors about Cape Verde through music, dance and native cuisine.
Heather always strives to be a positive voice and figure not just for Cape Verdeans but all Africans in any way she can. Most recently she exhibited this by writing an op-ed in the New Bedford Standard Times newspaper, in response to an article that lacked cultural sensitivity on the annual Cape Verdean Festival in Onset Massachusetts, giving a voice to an often-voiceless group. Heather has been a member of DAWN for two years and looks forward to contributing to its growth in the new year.
February 2011 - Sophia Nur
Sophia Nur holds a doctoral degree in the field of Health Communication and Intercultural Communication. Her dissertation specifically focused on an HIV/AIDS behavioral change communication intervention for university students in Ethiopia. She also holds a certificate in Women's Studies from Howard University. While at Howard, Dr. Nur was a Professor of Register for two years in the Department of Communication and Culture. During her academic career she conducted extensive research on the implications of gender on sexual communication and reproductive health. She has experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Overall, Dr. Nur's career experience focuses on the research, development, and implementation of culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS-related tools and programs both domestically and globally.
Currently, Dr. Nur works for the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs/National AIDS Resource Center- Ethiopia (JHU-CCP/ARC). At the ARC, she coordinates, manages, and provides strategic direction on the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the health communication campaign focused on the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS interventions. Dr. Nur also assists the youth radio program and the positive living program. Previously, she was a fellow in the Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (REHD) Program at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD). She assisted in the development, implementation, and evaluation of resources relating to NASTAD's Black women's initiative. Her major responsibilities included the development of tools and resources for health departments to assist them in developing interventions that target women of African descent in the United States. Dr. Nur was a co-author of NASTAD's Black Women and HIV Issue Brief, where she conducted qualitative research and analysis. Her overall career and academic experience are centered on gender, HIV/AIDS, and health communication.
March 2011 - Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa
Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa, Esq. founded and acts as managing partner of Hoja Law Group, a boutique New York law firm which represents government ministries, businesses and non-profits in areas of political, corporate and intellectual property law. Additionally, Hoja Law Group is specialized in assisting investors doing business in and/or investing in Africa. She is currently based in Rwanda as an advisor to the Minister of Justice on legal matters related to trade and investment. Jacqueline was an associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, where she practiced in the area of corporate law. She also clerked for SNR Denton's Zambia affiliate office, Corpus Legal Practitioners.
Jacqueline is the founder of Transitional Trade, a non-profit whose mission it is to promote social trade, investment and entrepreneurship in post-conflict countries and transitional communities. She has participated in the rebranding of several countries, capacity building for African companies as well as mentoring many African entrepreneurs. Lastly, Jacqueline has been an Adjunct Professor of law at universities in the US and Rwanda.
Jacqueline has recently been selected as a 2011 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a 2011 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow. Jacqueline attended Davidson College where she received a BA in Political Science and International Studies. She earned a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.
April 2011 - Adaeze Okongwu
Adaeze Okongwu is a Nigerian American born and raised in Houston, Texas. Adaeze's passion to play an active role in policymaking that affects Africa drew her to Washington, DC to study international affairs and political science at the George Washington University. Since then, Adaeze has accumulated a broad range of experience working on political issues that affect the Diaspora.
Most recently she has served as a Consultant for the firm of Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. Adaeze was the Project Director for Brazile & Associates, LLC for two and a half years. In this capacity, she managed the firm's consulting work for corporate clients and researched policy issues for Ms. Brazile's media appearances and public speaking engagements. During the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, Adaeze worked with African Diaspora for Change and served on the Black Youth Vote Advisory Board to increase civic engagement within her community.
Prior to that, for two years, Adaeze worked as a Legal and Development Assistant for the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights (CAIR) Coalition, an organization that provides legal assistance to asylum-seekers and immigrants detained in Virginia jails. While attending the George Washington University, Adaeze developed skills in mobilizing constituencies and organizing, serving as the Public Relations Director for Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND). Joining STAND from its infancy, she played a key role in formulating policy to promote conflict resolution and development in Sudan.
Last year, she completed a Master of Science in Violence, Conflict and Development studies with merit at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. Her dissertation, "How the State Survives: A Nigerian Approach to State Formation" examined the effects of violence on state capacity.
Most recently she has served as a Consultant for the firm of Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. Adaeze was the Project Director for Brazile & Associates, LLC for two and a half years. In this capacity, she managed the firm's consulting work for corporate clients and researched policy issues for Ms. Brazile's media appearances and public speaking engagements. During the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, Adaeze worked with African Diaspora for Change and served on the Black Youth Vote Advisory Board to increase civic engagement within her community.
Prior to that, for two years, Adaeze worked as a Legal and Development Assistant for the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights (CAIR) Coalition, an organization that provides legal assistance to asylum-seekers and immigrants detained in Virginia jails. While attending the George Washington University, Adaeze developed skills in mobilizing constituencies and organizing, serving as the Public Relations Director for Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND). Joining STAND from its infancy, she played a key role in formulating policy to promote conflict resolution and development in Sudan.
Last year, she completed a Master of Science in Violence, Conflict and Development studies with merit at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. Her dissertation, "How the State Survives: A Nigerian Approach to State Formation" examined the effects of violence on state capacity.
May 2011 - Elvira Cooper
Elvira has her roots in beautiful Cape Palmas, Liberia. She has extensive experience in the publicity, promotion, marketing, and distribution of literature, as well as in editing literary manuscripts and book proposals. Her interest in literature and publishing was heightened when she worked with a literary agent on Chimamanda Adichie's wildly successful novel, Purple Hibiscus. She is a professional eMedia marketer, and Online Experiences advocate.
Elvira sits on the Editorial Board of Sea Breeze Journal of Contemporary Liberian Writings, a peer-review literary arts ejournal that aims to provide a forum for and stimulate an appreciation for contemporary Liberian arts and letters; the Liberian personality and indigenous languages; social justice; gender equality; African and African Diasporan identities; ethnic, class and cultural diversity.
Her volunteer work exemplifies an extraordinary dedication and passion for books, literature, reading and the arts. She has volunteered with and attended workshops at independent bookstores, the Bethesda Writers Center, and George Washington University's publishing program. She's also volunteered her time to do research, editing, marketing and much needed hand-holding support for friends who are writers, poets, and visual artists. Her passion is further exemplified in her work with the Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls, advancing equity for girls through advocacy, education, self-development, and positive societal change.
Elvira loves to read, has a deep appreciation for the wealth of talent coming from Africa, loves all African art forms, and considers herself to be a strong champion, supporter and all around cheerleader for the literati. She lives in Washington, DC.
Elvira sits on the Editorial Board of Sea Breeze Journal of Contemporary Liberian Writings, a peer-review literary arts ejournal that aims to provide a forum for and stimulate an appreciation for contemporary Liberian arts and letters; the Liberian personality and indigenous languages; social justice; gender equality; African and African Diasporan identities; ethnic, class and cultural diversity.
Her volunteer work exemplifies an extraordinary dedication and passion for books, literature, reading and the arts. She has volunteered with and attended workshops at independent bookstores, the Bethesda Writers Center, and George Washington University's publishing program. She's also volunteered her time to do research, editing, marketing and much needed hand-holding support for friends who are writers, poets, and visual artists. Her passion is further exemplified in her work with the Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls, advancing equity for girls through advocacy, education, self-development, and positive societal change.
Elvira loves to read, has a deep appreciation for the wealth of talent coming from Africa, loves all African art forms, and considers herself to be a strong champion, supporter and all around cheerleader for the literati. She lives in Washington, DC.
June 2011 - Shani Cooke
July 2011 - Milen Zerabruk
December 2011 - Asmara Sium
Asmara Sium has 10 years of professional and personal experience in African immigrant and refugee policy work. Originally from Eritrea, Asmara has an international human rights law background and specializes in immigrant integration efforts and immigration reform.
She is actively involved in African immigrant community socio-economic, cultural and health initiatives and currently serves as Chairwoman of the Commission on African Affairs under the Executive Office of Mayor Vincent Gray in Washington, DC. Asmara is alsoChairwoman of the African Advisory Committee to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and eagerly seeks to create ways to better attract the African Diaspora to the museum and promote the high quality of African art housed within its walls.
Asmara's previous experience includes serving as lead coordinator for health fairs, legal clinics and conferences to encourage greater awareness of and response to the needs of African immigrant communities, specifically African immigrant youth. She holds an Honors Master of Arts degree in International Human Rights Law and Refugee Studies and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and African Studies. She also holds a certificate in Executive Non-Profit Management, and maintains membership in the Capital Area Immigrants Rights Coalition and Smithsonian cultural institutions.
She is actively involved in African immigrant community socio-economic, cultural and health initiatives and currently serves as Chairwoman of the Commission on African Affairs under the Executive Office of Mayor Vincent Gray in Washington, DC. Asmara is alsoChairwoman of the African Advisory Committee to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and eagerly seeks to create ways to better attract the African Diaspora to the museum and promote the high quality of African art housed within its walls.
Asmara's previous experience includes serving as lead coordinator for health fairs, legal clinics and conferences to encourage greater awareness of and response to the needs of African immigrant communities, specifically African immigrant youth. She holds an Honors Master of Arts degree in International Human Rights Law and Refugee Studies and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and African Studies. She also holds a certificate in Executive Non-Profit Management, and maintains membership in the Capital Area Immigrants Rights Coalition and Smithsonian cultural institutions.
