In collaboration with the Women’s Inclusive Team (WIT) and Oxford House, Kayd invites you to back-to-back panels on efforts to foster inclusion in Somali communities. The first half of the evening will feature a special discussion with Rachel Pieh Jones on her book Stronger Than Death. Following this we will hear about the work of three disability activists – Hawa Kodah, Fatima Farah and Julia Modern (Inclusion London) – and reflect on practical ways to build inclusivity into community programming.
Panel 1: Stronger Than Death by Rachel Pieh Jones (7:30-8:30pm)
Stronger Than Death documents the life and work of Annalena Tonelli in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somaliland. Annalena founded the first school for deaf children in Borama and tirelessly advocated for the rights and lives of the deaf community in Somaliland.
Author Rachel Pieh Jones will discuss her motivation for writing the book and her deep engagement with Annalena’s story. Members of the Somali deaf community will also share their personal reflections on Annalena’s lasting legacy.
Rachel Pieh Jones has written extensively about life at the crossroads of faith and culture for The New York Times, Runner’s World, and other publications. Her work is shaped by more than two decades living in Somaliland and Djibouti, raising Third Culture Kids, and exploring the natural world. Originally from Minnesota, Rachel holds two Master’s degrees and is currently pursuing a PhD in Intercultural Studies. She is also a ghostwriter, developmental editor, and the award-winning author of six books, including Stronger Than Death.Visit her at www.rachelpiehjones.com.
Panel 2: Building Inclusive Communities (8:30-10pm)
Kayd will celebrate the work of three Somali disability activists who have championed building more inclusive communities: Hawa Kodah, an advocate for deaf communities in Somaliland and London; Fatima Farah, a fashion designer who designs clothes for wheelchair users. Hawa, Fatima and Abdi will reflect on the barriers they have faced in their own lives and share their ideas about how Somali communities and events can be made more accessible and inclusive. They will be joined by Julia Modern from Inclusion London, a London-based organization that supports Deaf and Disabled people’s organizations and campaigns for equality for Deaf and Disabled people. Julia will share some of the resources available to organizations and individuals in London to support building more inclusive communities.
Language: English & BSL
