Episode #289
Claiming Voice with Afomiya Dejene | Ep. 289
“Without discussing different sides of an issue, we lose the chance to find middle ground. Talking things through opens space for questions and helps us move beyond polarized and familiar thinking patterns. I love conversations—talking, listening, yapping—because every exchange gives me new perspectives to consider.” ~ Afomiya Dejene Afomiya Dejene immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia, Africa with her parents when she was just three years old. Now, at age twenty, she’s majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Sociology at the University of South Dakota, as an aspiring attorney. Recently, she gave a brilliant TEDx talk entitled, “The Power of Conversation,” that I had the privilege of being in the audience to applaud. But using her voice hasn’t always come naturally to Afomiya. In elementary and middle school, she often felt isolated as a black immigrant attending schools where the student body was predominately white. She was reluctant to speak much for fear of how people might view her. But in her hesitation to speak in her early years, Afomiya learned a very valuable skill in the art of listening. In high school, Afomiya decided she had had enough with being insecure and shy. As a Sophomore at Roosevelt High School, she became President of Black Student Union, where she created Culture Day, a celebration of those born in other countries to promote inclusivity and belonging. At the end of this era, instead of graduating virtually unknown by her peers, she was chosen to deliver an address to her class in front of an estimated 700 people in attendance called, “The Reality and Beauty of Diversity”. Claiming her voice has opened up Afomiya’s world in profound ways. In addition to attending University, she is currently a Criminal Justice Analyst at the Institute for Youth in Policy, Medicaid Policy Intern at the Department of Social Services, and founder of Civic Impact Initiatives, LLC whose motto is “Turning Ideas Into Civic Action.” She is passionate about advocating for girls and women around the world and helping them claim their voices. I know that at age fifty, I’m still learning better ways to claim my voice both in conversation and on stage. I’m an avid practitioner of listening and do all that I can to absorb what someone is saying, even when they hold a differing view than me. It’s a rewarding challenge, to say the least, and there’s always room to learn more and do better. I’m excited to learn from Afomiya. Won’t you join me? _______________________________________________ **Video broadcast available** on YouTube @imperfectbest **Learn more about Jason Freeman** at AwkwardlyAwesome.com
