Afrikaan Sahra
B.A., cum laude, Computer Science, Business specialization, 2022
Digital Equity Promoter, Tech4Refugees, Seattle
“Being an Alfie is to think for myself, to care, and be conscious of my words and actions. Also, to be an Alfie is to be an example for others, to be inspired, and to inspire others. ”
Service & Work:
Co-Creator & Co-Director, Civility Pledge Project, Seattle University, 2020–2021
Client Account Manager at RAMP.up, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Albers School of Business 9/2021 – Present
Student Body President, Seattle Central College, 2017–2019
Founder and leader, tech4REFUGEES, 2018–Present
Cofounder and leader, African Student Association, 2017–2020
Soccer Club President 2018–2020
MESA Ambassador 2018–2020
Vice President of African Youth Coalition 2018–2019
Voter Engagement Ambassador, Opportunity Youth United 2016–2019
Tutor Coordinator, Somali Youth and Family Club, 2016–2018
Awards & Honors:
Distinguished Graduating Student Award
Ignatian Leader
Member, Computer Science and Engineering Dean's Student Advisory Council
Member, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Member, National Society of Leadership and Success
Co-creator and co-director, Civility Pledge Project, 2020–2022
Seattle Central Student Leadership Scholarship, 2019
Sarkowsky Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, 2017
Vice President’s Medal, Seattle Central College, 2020
Transforming Lives Award, WA Association of College Trustees, 2018
President's Civic Leadership Award, Washington Campus Compact, 2018
Volunteer, Phi Theta Kappa
Presentations & Publications:
In Search of Homes: Climate Refugees Meet Walls, Afrikaan Sahra, Seattle University, August 2020.
Digital Gap: How COVID-19 Increased Technology and Internet Access Inequities and Our Ethical Responsibility to Closing this Gap, Afrikaan Sahra, Seattle University, August 2021.
Afrikaan’s Story
Five and a half years ago, I was in the refugee camp where I grew up and lived for 19 years. I finished high school there and had no college to look forward to, I had no job, and I wasn't legally allowed to leave the camp in search of opportunity because I didn't have papers. Five and a half years later, I finished college, got a finance job at BlackRock, and am on my way to becoming a U.S. citizen.
Every day when I wake up, these two realities are present in my mind.
The past represented the injustice, the human indignity, lack of recognition, lack of access to equal opportunities, and the othering that refugees and minorities like myself faced every day.
The future is bright and full of aspirations. I aspire to be a computer scientist, a change agent, someone who cares about those who are othered in our communities.
My name is Afrikaan, and I am an Alfie Scholar.
Goals:
I am a refugee who hopes to change people's lives through technology and advocacy. I hope to create a digital inclusion app/space for new immigrants and refugees to find resources and referrals easily upon coming to the U.S. My goal is to work on tech4REFUGEES, a program I started in 2018 to inspire, encourage, and expose STEM (Math and Coding) to refugee and immigrant youths. I want to continue and make it an impactful nonprofit organization that serves immigrant and refugee youths.
On Civility:
Civility requires us to take actions with kindness, empathy, and love. It calls upon us to engage in meaningful conversations despite our disagreements and find a common ground to stand by each other. Civility encourages us to care for the greater good, be conscious of our environment, and actively be part of social justice through our words and actions. Civility ignites the creativity in us, shifting our viewpoint and sometimes challenging ourselves to not only be part of what is happening around us but also be leaders with creative solutions. Civility fosters a cohesive community where everyone matters, a community that no one is seen as voiceless and left out, but everyone is listened to and valued.
