The 2019-2020Â Executive Board
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Executive Board Members
Pioneers of Pan Africanism
Jada Kissi '21
President
I double major in Communication and Development Sociology, and minors in Demography and Leadership. With my academic focuses and passion for problem-solving with research, I want to have a career in the development research communication field. In this field, I hope to work for and with organizations to not only uncover the solutions to problems that plague developing nations but to mainly focus on effectively sharing and communicating those solutions to those affected the most. Working in PASA is part of the process that will fully equip me with the skills, tools, and knowledge to help uplift countries such as Ghana, my home country. The passion for unity that exists in Pan-Africanism especially drives me to fix this inadequate spread of resources and information.
Deborah Yeboah '22
Vice President
I’m a sophomore in the school of Human Ecology, studying Policy Analysis and Management. My dual interests include working for a venture capital firm and non-profit after being established. I want to be able to give Pan-African start-ups the opportunity to gain capital in this market. My end goal in my life is to go back and work in Africa to create a place where they have more health resources and knowledge about public health. My studies have shown how the mistreatment and discrimination on black people have caused there to be a great divide between them, but there is beauty and power in the unification of the Diaspora. Being a first-generation Ghanaian student, I have had the opportunity to understand how to navigate between two different cultures. Growing up, my father told me stories of Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister of Ghana and a Pan-African leader. Learning about him and Pan-Africanism was a factor in my decision to join PASA because I wanted to create an impact for the Diaspora within Cornell. PASA is the club that welcomed me and has taught me the skills I need to put together a community. Today, as Vice President, I strive to use my skills to widen PASA impact in our community with the establishment of our different programs.
Chelsea Poku '20
Financial Director
I'm a senior Human Development major double minoring in Business and Inequality studies. In my second and final year on the eboard, I serve as the financial director. Besides my role in PASA, I like to cook, listen to rap, R&B, and Afrobeats, do makeup, and serve as the Co-President of Ghanaians at Cornell. The unity PASA strives to strengthen among people in the diaspora in a world full of ethnic boundaries is why I, as someone who identifies as Ghanaian and American, wanted to join what I feel is such an inclusive organization. Being on the board has helped me learn more ways to support the community because we need each other to move forward, break barriers, and watch each other grow and become successful in life.
Rokiatou Sissoko '23
Director of Web Development
I am a freshman majoring in Information Science. Passionate about how much technology is ingrained in our society, particularly amongst young people my age I am on my journey to influence and make my mark in the field of technology. Growing up in the Bronx and Harlem as a Malian, culture from West Africa is literally everywhere on every corner. Loving the food of Senegalese thieboudiene to the vibrant colors of Malian basin clothing, my unique interests brings PASA to a whole new level. As director of web development, I hope you'll enjoy the PASA website while you're on here!
Isabella Animadu '22
Events Financial Coordinator
My name is Isabella and I am currently a sophomore studying civil engineering here at Cornell. I am originally from Houston, Texas but I prefer colder weather. As a member of the PASA eboard, I love increasing awareness about different African countries and their cultures. Africa is a beautiful and diverse continent and I want to share my love for it with others! When I am not studying, I enjoy drawing and listening to afrobeats.
Richmond Addae '23
Freshman Representative
I am Richmond Addae, A freshman In the school of Industrial and Labor Relations. Pan-Africanism to me is the unity of a variety of African ethnicities and cultures. I am involved in PASA, SWAG (Scholars Working Ambitiously to Graduate), and ADR (African Dance Repertoire). I am extremely honored to be a member of this executive board and I am excited to see where we go!
Amanda Kabonero '20
Director of Public Relations, Marketing, and Branding
I am a senior majoring in Development Sociology, with minors in Business and International Development. I identify as Ugandan and grew up in the greater DC area. As someone who wants to pursue a career in diplomacy, working on US-East Africa relations, PASA has given me the opportunity to explore my interests and be among students who are equally passionate about African affairs. My participation in PASA continues to expose me to the immense diversity that exists throughout the diaspora as well as the common experiences and issues that bring the diaspora together. Serving as the Director of Public Relations, Marketing, and Branding, I am tasked with not only elevating PASA's presence on campus but also ensuring that the Pan-African community on campus is both seen and heard. Working on media and communications as it pertains to the diaspora is important to me because positive depictions of Africa have historically been left out of mainstream media. This is my fourth year on the PASA e-board and I’m excited to advance the mission of PASA on campus.
Tabufor Junior Tabufor '22
Finance Coordinator
I am Tabufor Junior, a sophomore studying environmental and sustainability sciences & AEM in CALS. I originally from Cameroon but currently live in Dallas, Texas. I am apart of Phi Gamma Nu professional business fraternity, Cayuga Capital, Apex Capital, and Keeton United Soccer team. I am interested in the intersection of sustainability and business especially in developing areas of the world.
Amy Alagor '22
Community Liaison
Hey, my name is Amy Alagor and I’m the community liaison for PASA. I’m currently majoring in biology and society with a minor in social inequality. I’m working towards becoming a neonatologist and opening up a pediatric ward in Nigeria to serve women who have limited access to medical care in the village. Pan-Africanism means representation and community. People from all over make up the African Diaspora and their cultural influences shape my belief of what it means to originate from Africa. The diaspora has so make different shapes and forms it’s exciting to think that someone who looks nothing like me or has different experiences can still shape a common identity with me, being Pan-African.
Anhar Abdelatif '21
Internal Affairs
I am a junior studying Biological Engineering. I have a passion for helping others and I hope to have a positive impact on society. My motivation behind specifically pursuing Biological Engineering is that I want to work towards solving problems facing society today. I was born in Sudan and moved to Virginia at a young age. My Sudanese identity has shaped me in many ways and has fostered in me an appreciation for the entire diaspora. This will be my second year on the PASA e-board, and I will be serving as the Director of Internal Affairs. This position allows me to apply my organizational and communication skills to something that I care deeply about—Pan-Africanism.
Oyin Ogunlowo '21
Director of Events
I am a junior in the Dyson School studying Applied Economics and Management. I am double-concentrating her major in Marketing and International Trade and Development or Marketing and Business Analytics. I hope to be able to use my knowledge of business and economics to contribute in some way to African development. Being part of PASA’ Executive Board has helped me to round out my knowledge of the rest continent and gain some context for the growth and developmental issues that plague the continent. PASA has been instrumental in learning more about other African nations and the diaspora and learning the history and the struggles that unite those of African descent and pose a barrier to African development. This is my third year on the Executive Board, serving first as Freshman Representative before moving on to the Director of Events position. My role allows me to plan extensively and see the concrete results of my planning in the short-term, both of which I really enjoy. Although born and bred in Nigeria, I promise that Nigerian time will not be a thing at PASA events this year, so feel free to turn up to our events on time!
Barbara Oramah '20
Director of Education and Continental Affairs
My name is Barbara Oramah and I am currently a senior in Environmental Engineering. I am from Nigeria, but I have the amazing opportunity to grow up in Cairo, Egypt. Pan-Africanism has been a major aspect of my life as my vision for my future is to be at the forefront of the sustainable development projects in Africa. Being part of the Pan-African Student's Association E-board is my way of being an active member of the diaspora to spread awareness of the beautiful diversity of culture of the continent!
Fatoumata Conde '23
Freshman Representative
I’m Fatoumata Conde and I’m PASA’s Freshman Representative. I love being a part of PASA, because it allows me to further explore what it means to be a part of the African Diaspora in an extensive way. As a Global and Public Health Science Major, I hope to help communities all across the Diaspora have longer life expectancies by targeting non-communicable diseases. PASA provides an amazing opportunity to create unity and a sense of global citizenship for all its members, and I am very excited to be a part of this org!
Emily Walton '22
Historian
Hello! I am a sophomore in the college of Arts and Science! I have a serious passion for education, specifically how it shapes the minds of younger generations. As a member of the African diaspora, it is so important to me to understand how we are constantly writing our own narrative and structuring our own history. PASA is such an important part of this and I am so grateful to be on the eboard. Also, I guess I’m kinda good at science and I speak a little Spanish!
Yahya Abdul-Basser '20
Director of Social Justice and Diasporic Affairs
I am a Senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Information Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. My choice to study Psychology is rooted in a desire to understand people and their needs so I can then help improve their lives. These community-minded values are essential to living as a Muslim and as a black man. Not only does my faith give me an immediate and strong connection to many in the African diaspora, but it was brought to the family by Malcolm X through his friendship with my late grandfather Hassan in 1960s Harlem. Instilled in my family’s sense of faith and identity are pan-Africanist beliefs about collective involvement and interconnectedness. Being the child of black parents from two different parts of the diaspora (America and the Caribbean) and raised Muslim in the post 9/11 America, has given me a good sense of where aspects of identity intersect. I hope to carry on my grandfather’s legacy of dedication to one’s community, concern for all black peoples and work that educates and uplifts communities of the diaspora. This is my second year involved with PASA here at Cornell and serving as the director of Social Justice and Diasporic Affairs is just one of many ways I strive to carry on his and Malcolm’s legacy.