My great grandfather served in the first government of Senegal’s post-colonial republic, working in education and foreign policy. His son, my grandfather, became a diplomat and journalist, writing articulately and often about world affairs. As a result, my father traveled constantly to different countries as a child, allowing him to learn about foreign democracies and develop his own political views. 

My dad imparted those experiences and traditions onto me. And in many ways, I have inherited those same familial traits: advocating for others, embracing culture, and listening to marginalized communities. Through my trips to Senegal, I’ve been able to see how ancestral cultural traditions reflect these family values. Growing up in a multicultural household, I’ve watched that legacy live on.

My family history has played an integral role in shaping the person I am today — and it is constantly informing the person I aspire to become tomorrow.