Speak Up/Speak Out Youth Advocates for Immigrants & Refugees

Genesis Mendez-Garcia, a student at St. Mary’s Academy, a musician and photographer, reflects on her experience moving from Honduras at age five, navigating the language barrier and a new home environment. She talks about family experiences in Honduras, ESL learning, and her goals, which include developing a cultural connections club at her school.

Maéline Bringuier, a sophomore at St. Mary’s Academy, reflects on her experiences of finding a new community and adjusting to school life in the U.S. after leaving France at age 7. Listen as Maéline shares her pandemic experiences, compares living in the U.S. and France, and discusses her future aspirations.

Shivi Dua, a student at Barnard College from Jersey City, recounts the cultural changes she experienced moving from New Delhi, India to New York City. Listen as she reflects on how current events have affected her and her family, how her family dynamic has shifted since moving to the U.S, and how her early experiences in New York City compared to those in India.

Jospin and Japhety continue to share their experiences with the Black Lives Matter movement in Portland, the role of the pandemic in solidifying their family dynamics, and the development of their clothing brand, Bproud, as college students.

Jospin and Japhety, cousins and undergraduate students at Portland State University, share stories about their experiences moving from a Tanzanian refugee camp to the Portland Metro Area. They reflect on how their identities as Black immigrant youth have impacted their experiences in school, in their neighborhoods, and with their siblings and parents.

Bahar Madani, a high school junior at Oregon Islamic Academy, shares stories of living in Portland as an Iranain immigrant. Listen to Bahar reflect on her childhood in Iran, adapting to the rainy Portland weather, youth advocacy efforts, and aspirations for the future.