Author: Jahkwan Taillefer

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Shemaine James

An interview with Shemaine James was conducted on May 6, 2021, in New York, NY, by Opeoluwa Olaniyan for the Becoming the Change Interview Project.

Shemaine James is a current student at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and is also a member of the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP). She plans on transferring from BMCC to Hunter College and eventually working in the medical field. Shemaine is originally from Guyana and came to the United States in hope of securing better opportunities. She is passionate about her education and gaining a deeper understanding of the impact of social norms on mental health.

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Raymond Rojas

I am Raymond but you can call me Ray. I am a Latino born in Nicaragua and was raised in New York City. I am currently majoring in psychology and I am passionate about this field. My plan is to become a clinical psychologist and help my clients through cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapeutic methods. I also want to bring more awareness to the way cults operate and the effect they have on the psyche of their members and former members.

I am very social and enjoy meeting and interacting with people from all sorts of backgrounds. I am also artistic, creative, unorthodox, and I try to solve problems by thinking outside of the box. I will graduate from Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in summer 2021 and transfer to Hunter College in the fall of 2021.

Interviewee

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Ryan Lopez

An interview with Ryan Lopez conducted on March 25, 2021 by Jahkwan Taillefer for the Becoming the Change Interview Project.

Ryan Lopez reflects on how anything can be an influence on a person’s life, from the people we surround ourselves with, to something as simple as our taste in music, and more. He shares his story of how his environment played a pivotal role in shaping his childhood experiences and making him into the man he is today. Follow him on his journey of self-reflection, growth, and self-fulfillment, and listen to his advice on how to avoid pitfalls similar to his and become a better person in spite of them.

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Jessica Rosenthal

My name is Jessica Rosenthal, and I am a Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) graduate and former ASAP English Tutor. I graduated from BMCC with a degree in liberal arts in 2018 and transferred to Hunter College, where I received my bachelor’s in political science and public policy in May 2020. I am currently at the end of a six-month fellowship with the NYC Comptroller’s Office, where I have been working on statutory hearings for claims against the city. 

I think we all ask ourselves how we can make a change in the world, especially when the world sometimes seems so unjust and scary. I try to overcome these fears by reminding myself that none of us is truly alone; we are intertwined and can both offer and seek support to improve the world around us. Personally, I find meaning through working in areas where I can feel part of a community, like BMCC, or where I can perform a public service and give back to others. In the future, I hope to attend law school and become an attorney, so that I can advocate for those who are oppressed or left behind by our current systems.  I am excited to be a part of this project. I hope to learn not only how others advocate for change, but also encourage other aspiring changemakers.

Interviewee

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Khadiza Nesa

An interview with Khadiza Nesa was conducted on March 22, 2021, in New York, NY, by Ines Anous for the Becoming the Change Interview Project.

Khadiza Nesa is a former student of the Accelerated Studies in the Associate Programs (ASAP) student at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC).

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Opeoluwa Olaniyan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oZ0M8BwqM4

An interview with Opeoluwa Olaniyan was conducted on March 19, 2021, in New York, NY, by Ines Anous for the Becoming the Change Interview Project.

Opeoluwa Olaniyan is a former Accelerated Studies in Associate Programs (ASAP) and Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) student, and is currently studying biological science at Hunter College. She works as an ASAP tutor providing support in English, and is also the president of the Pre-Health Society at BMCC. Opeoluwa was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. In November of 2016, Opeoluwa moved to New York. In this interview, she reflects on the high cost of medical school, especially for students with a working class background, and on her aspirations to become a doctor.

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Wesley Sanders

I am a passionate writer and a voracious reader. I earned my associate degree in literature and creative writing from Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree at New York University (NYU) where I am studying African American representation through storytelling as part of the Gallatin Guide program.

I am fascinated by how people of color are represented in all mediums and how that affects their identity. I plan on becoming a public school teacher and a young adult (YA) author. I am working on my first novel about a black superhero growing up in a city where even though he has superpowers, he has to overcome racism. 

Interviewee & Interviewer

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Lala Ouedraogo

An interview with Lala Ouedraogo conducted on March 17, 2021, in New York, NY by Jahkwan Taillefer for the Becoming the Change Interview Project.

Lala Ouedraogo comes from a culture where women’s submission to men is expected, and where women’s futures are unsure when they don’t enjoy the support of men. Breaking away from these societal norms, Lala managed to make her way to the United States where she pursued her education beyond what would have been possible for her in her own country, Burkina Faso. Her journey speaks of an inner strength and describes the transition from a young girl to an educated woman, who wishes nothing but to see similar opportunities for growth with less restraints in the lives of the women of today and tomorrow.

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Sejlo Sagbohan

Hello ladies and gentlemen, my name is Sejlo Sagbohan. I am a student at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) majoring in business management. I am hoping to own my real estate business by the time I get my associate degree. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself.  I love cooking, playing soccer and video games. I also enjoy traveling and helping my family and friends. I am a very hard worker and well educated. You can always catch me working out, watching a scary movie, or cooking in the kitchen late at night.

Interviewee

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Diya Qazeili Moushahwar

An interview with Diya Qazeili Moushahwar was conducted on February 24, 2021, in New York, NY, by Wesley Sanders for the Becoming the Change Interview Project.

Diya Qazeili Moushahwar is a former Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) student who currently studies at New York University as a part of the Gallatin Guide Program, where she is specializing in science, medicine, and empire. Diya is an English Tutor, after-school educator, and community organizer. Diya was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and lived in New York for the past seven years. In this interview, Diya reflects on how she plans to change the world.