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!
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. 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 opportunities for emcees, storytellers, performers, and 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.
Storytelling Opportunities at Community Events
We offer free trainings to help you develop your confidence and skills in public speaking and storytelling.
- Additional resource: StoryCenter workshops. Check out the StoryCenter Impact Stories Project in May-June 2025
World Refugee Day Boise
Annual event in June. 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 opportunities for emcees, storytellers, performers, and 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.
Storytelling Opportunities at Community Events
- Welcoming Week - September
- Civic groups – Rotary Club, Lions Club, City Club of Boise
- Public meeting testimonies
- Conferences and workshops
- School classroom visits
- Story Story Night Boise
- Wassmuth Center for Human Rights community connection events
- Intercultural Living Library at Boise State University
Speaker Spotlights
Hear from Storytellers
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 |
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