2024

Zahidullah Shinwari 

Zahidullah, an author of “My City Was a Sparkling Jewel: Voices of Newcomer Youth from Afghanistan,” has spoken at various panels, including the International Institute of Minnesota and Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He recently addressed 300 teachers at the inaugural New American Education Summit in MN, uplifting his story as an Afghan refugee.

Ayan Omar

A few years ago, when Green Card Voices recorded Ayan’s story, she was a language arts teacher in St. Cloud, MN. With over 5,000 views, her digital story is well-loved by fellow teachers. In 2022, Ayah became the Director of Equity Services for the St. Cloud School District, coordinating inclusive educational programs to improve equity. She’s the first Somali American to hold this role.

Pang Hlub Xiong 

A former teacher, Pang Hlub founded the Project Hmong Children’s Book, an initiative dedicated to expanding literacy through bilingual and multicultural education. She published over 10 books in Hmong and sold and donated over 15,000 copies both locally and globally. Pang collaborates with GCV as a bilingual panelist and advisor for the Hmong/English bilingual book “Tinkering Towards My Spark”, the 4th volume Green Card Voices’ bilingual graphic novel series.

2023

Miguel Ramos

Miguel, a visionary leader and advocate for immigrant communities, has played a pivotal role in amplifying immigrant stories as the first Board Chair of Green Card Voices and now a Board Emeritus. From overcoming language barriers to spearheading successful businesses and nonprofits, his leadership has been widely recognized, including appointments by the Governor and advisory roles with major institutions. With a deep commitment to diversity, mentorship, and community development, Miguel’s impact extends across media, sports, and social justice, making him a true champion of leadership and inclusion.

2022

Esma Okutan

Esma shared her story in the Green Card Youth Voices: Upstate New York book in 2020. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, she cherishes the cultural diversity that blends Asian and European traditions. Her journey to the U.S. began in sixth grade when her family relocated after her father accepted a position at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Passionate about education and independence, Esma is also dedicated to children’s rights activism, striving to support immigrant children as they navigate the challenges of adjusting to a new life.

Irma Marquez Trapero

Irma, an immigrant from Culiacán, México, moved to St. James, Minnesota, with her family at the age of nine. A proud DREAMer and DACA recipient, she is deeply committed to advancing the Latinx community in Minnesota. With over a decade of experience in community organizing, policy, political campaigns, immigration and employment law, nonprofit work, and education, Irma continues to be a powerful advocate. She first shared her story with Green Card Voices in 2013 and now serves as the executive director of LatinoLEAD, driving meaningful change for Latinx leaders across the state.

Fadumo Yusuf

Fadumo, a Somali immigrant raised in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, has always been driven by curiosity and a passion for new experiences. After arriving in Minnesota as a teenager, she excelled in STEM, earning multiple scholarships, including the Gates Millennium Scholarship. She went on to complete her Bachelor’s at the University of St. Thomas and a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Now working in the medical device industry, Fadumo also mentors young girls in STEM, serves on a school board, and is a published author. She shared her story in Green Card STEM Voices and later published Ayan, of the Lucky during the pandemic. She also helped establish Minnesota’s first Somali Community Book Fair, continuing her commitment to education and storytelling.

2021

Julie Vang

Julie Vang is a queer HMoob (HMong) American writer, healer, and visionary based in St. Paul, Minnesota. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, their work blends ancestral wisdom, storytelling, and holistic healing in service of community and collective liberation.

As Co-editor of Our Stories Carried Us Here, Julie brought patience, clarity, and care to Green Card Voices’ first graphic novel anthology—navigating a new genre, multiple storytellers, and illustrators. In recognition of this transformative work, Julie received the inaugural 2021 Raising Immigrant Voices Award.

Tom Kaczynski

Tom Kaczynski is a Polish-born cartoonist, writer, and publisher based in Minneapolis. He is the founder of Uncivilized Books, an independent publishing house known for its literary and alternative comics. Kaczynski’s own works, including Beta Testing the Apocalypse, have garnered critical acclaim and award nominations. ​

As Co-editor and illustrator of Our Stories Carried Us Here, Kaczynski was instrumental in bringing Green Card Voices’ first graphic novel anthology to life. His early vision for the project, coupled with his expertise in the comics medium, guided the selection of illustrators and the overall design of the book. Kaczynski’s contributions were pivotal in shaping the anthology, which features ten first-person stories of immigrants and refugees across the United States. ​

Beyond his publishing endeavors, he continues to influence the comics industry through his teaching and creative work.

Dara Beevas

Dara Beevas is a visionary publisher, author, and narrative strategist based in Minneapolis. As co-founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Wise Ink Media, she has guided hundreds of mission-driven authors in bringing transformative stories to life. Her own works include The Indie Author Revolution and the Li’l Queens children’s book series, which celebrates the legacies of real-life Black queens.​

In 2025, Dara was appointed Chief Narrative Officer at the African American Leadership Forum, where she leads initiatives to amplify Black voices and catalyze cultural transformation through storytelling. A Bush Foundation Fellow and Givens Foundation Emerging Writers Fellow, Dara’s leadership and mentorship have been instrumental in projects like Our Stories Carried Us Here, Green Card Voices’ first graphic novel anthology. Her support during its Kickstarter campaign helped secure a “Project We Love” designation, expanding its reach and impact.​

Dara holds a master’s degree in publishing from George Washington University and lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two children.

2020

The 2020 Raising Immigrant Voices Award was paused due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With so much uncertainty and disruption affecting our communities, we chose to take a step back that year to focus on care, connection, and resilience during an unprecedented time.

2019

Zaynab Abdi

Zaynab Abdi is a Black, Muslim, Middle Eastern immigrant and passionate advocate for social justice, education, and youth empowerment. A magna cum laude graduate of St. Catherine University, Zaynab earned her Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University in 2023, specializing in leadership, innovation, and design.

Her advocacy began early sharing her story in Green Card Youth Voices: Immigration Stories from a Minneapolis High School and later co-authoring We Are Displaced with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. Zaynab has spoken multiple times at the United Nations and was appointed to the Minnesota Young Women’s Cabinet in 2019. As Green Card Voices’ Immigrant and Refugee Youth Ambassador, she has mentored dozens of young authors across the U.S.