What does it mean to be a Global Citizen? An Evening of Inspiration & Connection

Join us for an inspiring storytelling program exploring what it means to be a global citizen.

 

We believe that in the most challenging times—globally and locally—it is essential to humanize global issues, to understand both policies and people.

This is why we are asking the question: What Does it Mean to be a Global Citizen?

Join us on Thursday, December 5 to find out. You’ll hear first-hand experiences from our storytellers, including poets, doctors, and community leaders from around the globe who call Pittsburgh home.

Through their stories, we’ll discover the twist and turns that shaped these global citizens in our community, explore what connects us through our shared humanity, and redefine what’s possible for our future.

 

Let’s come together to connect, learn, and be inspired!

 

Guest MC: Dr. Maleeka Glover
Executive Director of Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation 

Glover has has dedicated over 20 years to advancing public health, emergency management, and global collaboration, establishing herself as a leading Social Epidemiologist. She has worked with organizations such as the CDC, WHO, and numerous academic institutions, where her efforts have bridged public health, global security, and social equity.

Courtney Abegunde is the Operations Director for Steel Smiling, a Pittsburgh based, Black-led nonprofit whose mission is to bridge the gap between Black folks and mental health support through education, advocacy, and awareness. Steel Smiling’s 10-year vision is to connect every Black person in Allegheny County to a positive mental health experience that improves their quality of life by 2030. As Operations Director, Courtney is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Steel Smiling. Courtney works with the Steel Smiling team to design, implement, evaluate, and sustain high quality community-based programming. She served as Co-Chair to the first ever Western Behavioral Health Diversity Council, and as a facilitator of Café Conversations – a virtual employee engagement activity that provided space for WBH employees to share and listen around topics related to Black Mental Health, Racism, and Employee/Consumer Experience with their peers.

 

 

 

Dr. Ali Hamdani
Director, Global Care & Traveling Patient Services, UPMC International

 

Dr. Ali Hamdani is the Director of Global Care & Traveling Patient Services, UPMC International “…The name may be familiar if you listen to NPR or closely followed the U.S. invasion of Iraq 20 years ago. Hamdani was a medical student in Baghdad when the conflict began. With cruise missiles landing nearby, he piled his mother and sister and all their belongings into a small car and drove more than 100 miles to a new home. There was no room for two Great Dane dogs that he cared for although they belonged to his brother. Despite the danger, Hamdani drove back into Baghdad every other day to feed and water the dogs. “I don’t like to let people down,” he said, recalling his wartime memories in a recent New York Times First Person podcast with journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro. Hamdani was a guide, translator, and producer for Garcia-Navarro as the war raged. He narrowly escaped death when NPR’s armored car was targeted with a so-called sticky bomb.” – Excerpt taken from NPR’ story: We Survived Iraq’: An Iraqi Makes A New Home In North Carolina

Jean-Pierre Nsanzabera
Cloud Architech at UPMC

Jean-Pierre Nsanzabera is a Senior Cloud Architect at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), where he leverages emerging technologies to enhance patient care and drive innovation. Originally from Rwanda, Jean-Pierre’s journey embodies the essence of global citizenship. He came to the United States through La Roche University’s Pacem in Terris Institute, an initiative established to bring students from war-torn and developing nations to study at La Roche in a supportive environment. Through his work and community engagement, Jean-Pierre exemplifies the transformative potential of emerging technologies, education, and global collaboration in building a more inclusive and connected world.

 

 

Emiola Oriola, Ed.D
Senior Director Of Program Innovation & Impact, Vibrant Pittsburgh

Emiola Oriola, Ed.D, is the Senior Director Of Program Innovation & Impact, Vibrant Pittsburgh.Hailing from Nigeria by way of DC/MD/VA and now Pittsburgh, Dr. Emiola Oriola Jr has centered his personal, professional and academic career & journey around building bridges amongst division, connecting perspectives across difference, and reimagining relationships within community, all aimed at creating sustainable, inclusive and tangible unity within diversity wherever he goes. Dr. Oriola previously worked at the University of Pittsburgh as a senior leader on campus, engaging internal & external stakeholders, local community organizations, and regional, national and international partners as the Inaugural Director for the Office of Inclusion & Belonging and the Office of Interfaith Dialogue and Engagement. There, he honed his skills as a scholar practitioner, a DEIBJ facilitator and strategist and visionary, and a community leader. Dr. Oriola’s research focuses on DEI (specifically belonging), global perspectives, and building significant learning skills through intentional exposure/experiential learning, communal building & dialogue, and creative and innovative expression and processing.

Natalee Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist (R&D Chemist) at Covestro LLC

Dr. Natalee Smith has over nine years of experience in working with global, cross functional teams in the fields of research and development, product quality assurance and innovation at Covestro, a leading global chemical company. Throughout her professional career, Natalee has also made active participation in helping to shape corporate Equity and Inclusion efforts a priority. She has been a member of the African American and Diaspora focused Employee Resource Group since starting her career with Covestro in 2015 and has served various capacities on the group’s leadership team.

Sony Ton-Aime
Executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures

 

Sony Ton-Aime is Executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. In his most recent role as Michael I. Rudell Director of Literary Arts at Chautauqua Institution, Sony has spearheaded innovative programming and built partnerships to engage the community. He coordinates online and in-person lectures and workshops, supervises staff, and runs a poetry makerspace and bookstore that serve over 100,000 community members annually. Sony has demonstrated skill in collaboration and relationship building, forging partnerships with organizations like the African American Heritage House to launch the Mirror Project Reading Circle, monthly book discussion that has since evolved to include lectures by experts and a countywide book read. Sony worked with Jamestown High School to lead student writing workshops, and he partnered with the local radio station to broadcast the writing of their students.

 

RSVP HERE.