Refugee Speakers Bureau
Bridging cultures through storytelling
Established in 2015, this program of the Idaho Office for Refugees provides Idahoans who arrived in the U.S. as refugees and immigrants with training to engage in public dialogue and reach out to the community. Participants share their stories in as speakers at community events throughout Idaho.
Contact us to invite a speaker to your classroom, place of work, civic group meeting, or next event!
Contact us to invite a speaker to your classroom, place of work, civic group meeting, or next event!
Speaker Spotlights
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Homeyra Shams is originally from Afghanistan and has lived in the United States for over two decades. She is fluent in Dari, Turkish and English. A co-owner of Sunshine Spice Bakery & Café, she graduated from Boise State University with double majors in Visual Arts and Criminal Justice. As a hyper-realistic artist, she creates intricately detailed works, and she also engages in public speaking, sharing her journey and insights.
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Mustafa Hakeem, originally from Mosul, Iraq, is a Senior at Boise State University, double majoring in Finance and Business Management. Fluent in both Arabic and English, he has completed multiple corporate internships and will join Capital One as a Financial Analyst in Chicago post-graduation. Mustafa enjoys basketball, fishing, and trying new foods while traveling, which is one of his favorite hobbies.
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Pascaline Icyizere is originally from Rwanda and is fluent in French, English, and Kinyarwanda, with beginner-level Spanish. She currently serves as the Assistant Director at Le Soleil French School for Children in Boise, Idaho, where she has been working with young children and their families. As an immigrant herself, Pascaline is passionate about supporting immigrant and refugee youth, creating inclusive, nurturing environments that help them thrive. In addition to her dedication to Early Childhood Education and Leadership, she enjoys cooking, watching movies, and spending time with her family.
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Neville Mutombo was born in Kitwe, Zambia. His parents came from the Democratic Republic of Congo to live in Zambia, where he was born. Neville obtained a high school diploma 2014 and proceeded to study at Nkrumah University, where he earned Bachelor of Science in Education. In Zambia, he learned how to speak Nyanja, Luvale, Kaonde, Lunda and Bemba. Neville likes watching movies, singing and dancing to Gospel songs. He is a teacher in Integrated Education and Training for ESL at the College of Western Idaho.
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Eliza Shabire is a senior social work student at Boise State University. She was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to Rwanda at the age of 6. She resettled in Idaho as a young adult in 2020. Eliza is passionate about helping people thrive, and she believes that when we work together, we can achieve better. Eliza speaks English, Kinyarwanda, Kinyabwisha, Rukiga, and some Swahili, Kirundi and French. In her free time, she loves to dance and spend time with her family.
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Saeed Al Azzawi is originally from Baghdad, Iraq, where he built his career in civil engineering. He and his family resettled in Idaho in 2017 and went on to become U.S. citizens in 2022. Saeed currently serves as the Security Manager at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) in Boise. He was featured as a World Refugee Day Boise spokesperson in 2024.
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Opportunities for Speakers, Artists, Performers
Please fill out our Speaker Application Form to learn more and get connected with these opportunities!
Speaker Development Workshops
We offer free trainings to help you develop your confidence and skills in public speaking and storytelling.
World Refugee Day Boise
Annual event in June at the Grove Plaza. Paid opportunities for dancers, musicians, emcees. Booth space available for vendors and chefs from multicultural backgrounds.
Northwest Conference on Resettlement
Idaho Office for Refugees' annual regional conference with 400-500 attendees. Paid opportunities for emcees, storytellers, performers, workshop presenters.
Refugee Appreciation Luncheon
Annual event in February at the Idaho State Capitol. Meet lawmakers and community leaders and enjoy a free lunch with food from around the world.
Podcast & Media
Speakers have opportunities to be featured on our podcast, Mosaics, and to do interviews with the local media.
We offer free trainings to help you develop your confidence and skills in public speaking and storytelling.
World Refugee Day Boise
Annual event in June at the Grove Plaza. Paid opportunities for dancers, musicians, emcees. Booth space available for vendors and chefs from multicultural backgrounds.
Northwest Conference on Resettlement
Idaho Office for Refugees' annual regional conference with 400-500 attendees. Paid opportunities for emcees, storytellers, performers, workshop presenters.
Refugee Appreciation Luncheon
Annual event in February at the Idaho State Capitol. Meet lawmakers and community leaders and enjoy a free lunch with food from around the world.
Podcast & Media
Speakers have opportunities to be featured on our podcast, Mosaics, and to do interviews with the local media.
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Hear from Storytellers
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Featured Mosaics episodes:
Episode 46: Displaced for her Baha'i faith, Mona Heern holds on to joy Episode 44: Sisters from Afghanistan Stand in Solidarity Episode 41: Ukrainian Welcome Center: Building Trust & Connection Episode 32: Aanish Shamim: Perspectives from a ‘Third Culture Kid’ Episode 29: Eliza Shabire Reunites With Her Dad After Years Apart Episode 27: Sadia Abdulkadir on Social Work, Fashion, and Family Episode 26: Moses Mukengezi: ‘I am more than a refugee, but it’s also part of me’ Episode 14: Halima Hamud on Learning to Be Herself - Even When It's Scary Episode 7: Judith Mwamba on Parenthood and Holding on to Hope |
Find more stories on our social media:
Thank you to the generous organizations that have sponsored or awarded grants to support our work.
