702:'s Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery Certificate Program in April 2021, Bah presented his research study on trauma survivor leadership featured in the Harvard Medical School news article, "Global Impacts Trauma, health equity, human rights focus of HMS certificate course." Bah analyzed 46 participants' "physiological response to thinking about and narrating trauma, resilience, belonging, and experiencing a sense of well-being in life." In examining the factors that may explain the resilience of trauma survivors, Bah found that "community leaders who have suffered trauma have stronger resilience, greater well-being, and healthy physiological responses when discussing their trauma."
468:. The RDC also serves as "a venue of culture and resource exchange for the refugee community of Rhode Island," which includes refugees from countries including the Congo, Somalia, Syria, and over 16 others. In describing the reason behind the name of the organization, Bah says, "I wanted to create inspiration for refugees, but also to inspire Americans to join the efforts to give refugees an opportunity to regain the humanity they might have lost because of the extreme sufferings they went through. The America I know, two things are there: possibilities and opportunities. And I wanted refugees to dream to obtain those. And I know it is possible."
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506:, financial assistance, and public outreach. The pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities and placed the refugee community at the highest risk of exposure. In response to such struggles, Bah and the RDC continued offering online English classes; made hundreds of calls each week to help clients access health and employment resources; delivered over $ 100,000 worth of food, supplies, and cash assistance to refugee families; kept the community informed about
383:. He advocated for "a robust U.S. refugee resettlement program", lecturing around the country. After leaving his role as the Rhode Island delegate of the Refugee Congress, Bah continues to offer training seminars, workshops, and speeches on international issues regarding the challenges and trauma refugees face; trauma-informed care; cultural attunement; and survivor leadership. He has spoken at various conferences, universities, and public fora, including
335:, Bah found it easier than most refugees because he could already speak, read, and write English as a result of his former career as a journalist. He began volunteering at various organizations to help newly arrived refugees. After a few years, he worked with several refugee community leaders to establish the Center for Refugee Advocacy and Support, which brought to light the cultural nuances and social determinants of health affecting refugees in
278:, the largest Gambian newspaper at the time. Bah was frequently targeted by government officials for criticizing Jammeh. After two and a half years, a pro-government editor began to censor Bah's column. Bah then began publishing articles anonymously on the oppressive regime's murders and torture practices in an online news site called Freedom Newspaper, which was operated by a Gambian exile in the U.S.
495:, he wrote, "As this administration rejoices about this ruling, let us remind them of the millions of people suffering across the globe, who ask for only one thing — to be helped to survive, to eat and drink, to live in safety. Let us remind them that such policy is not a true representation of the American spirit of utmost goodness. Let us remind them that our voices will be strong and unwavering."
250:. However, he could only complete two years of the necessary law program in The Gambia, as students had to travel abroad in order to attain the full degree. Instead of pursuing his legal studies abroad, Bah "decided to combine the legal skills he had acquired with his passion to help the community, and became a journalist" in 2000, specializing in court reporting and seeking to strengthen the
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In August 2021, Bah launched a private limited company called
Attuned and Inclined LLC to offer trainings and interventions on trauma-informed care, cultural attunement, diversity, organizational development, leadership, youth mentoring, and mental health. Bah also established his focus on survivor
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in their home countries, refugees faced significant economic, social, and cultural obstacles towards self-sufficiency in their new country. In the hopes of addressing the gap between government-assisted resettlement and true integration for refugees, Bah started the non-profit organization
Refugee
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on May 24, 2007 and began his journey to resettlement with the help of the Dorcas
International Institute (formerly the International Institute of Rhode Island), the largest immigration service in the state. He began working as an escrow representative at Rhode Island Housing and taking evening
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newspaper, Bah was kidnapped while reporting on a secret trial taking place at a military barracks. He was attacked, tortured, and confined to a closet-sized cell by soldiers, which left him with several injuries. He was held for a day until several witnesses, including human rights workers and
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leadership through two new initiatives: the Global
Survivor Leadership Institute and the Dr. Omar Bah Foundation. The former will host an annual global conference and fellowship that amplify the voices of trauma survivors. The latter will offer direct services and interventions on leadership,
355:. He worked with local leaders to encourage federally-funded refugee resettlement agencies to change their policies in housing placement for refugees, coordinating with US State Department officials to ensure this policy change was realized in
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Washington saying "I am not a career politician and therefore I hope to help minimize the political polarization and promote the interest of the American people". He also pledged not to "attack or disparage any candidate or opponent".
359:. A new policy ensured that refugees were placed only in lead-safe certified homes. From 2010 to 2015, Bah was invited to serve on the board of the Childhood Lead Action Project to strengthen safe housing for the refugee community. The
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Starting from 2017, Bah began to conduct research with a focus in survivor leadership. He interviewed a group of trauma survivors to formulate a set of four distinct qualities that characterize a survivor leader: voice,
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to find him, as they circulated his name and photograph in the media. On May 29, 2006, at the age of 26, Bah undertook the dangerous journey to escape the country, first passing through
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Through his work with the Center for
Refugee Advocacy and Support, Bah discovered that refugee children were subject to the highest rate of
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Dream Center (RDC) in
Providence, Rhode Island in 2015. As pronounced in their mission statement, the RDC aids "refugees' efforts towards
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after a decade-long exile. His trip was an effort to reconnect with his home country and bring a sense of closure to his life in exile.
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In May 2006, Freedom
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through the
Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma in 2013, after which he started practicing trauma-based therapy. He attained a
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2018 Refugee
Congress Honor as the Delegate from Rhode Island and Founding Member of the Refugee Congress Advisory Board,
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415:, Bah questioned why government support for resettled refugees lasted for only 6–8 months. After having experienced
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announced he would not seek reelection, Bah was the first democrat to announce he would run for the open seat in the
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in 2001. He earned a certificate in journalism at The Gambia Media Training Center in 2004. In 2010, Bah earned a
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589:. If elected, Bah would have been the first Black person to represent Rhode Island in Congress.
436:… through culturally attuned programming." The post-resettlement agency provides refugees with
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803:"How Omar Bah, Founder of RI's Refugee Dream Center, Is Helping Community During Coronavirus"
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psychologist, author, former journalist, refugee, and global survivor leader residing in the
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323:'s Providence Feinstein Campus. Bah's wife, Teddi Jallow, joined him in the U.S. in 2009.
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in the United States, Bah focused his and the RDC's efforts on assisting refugees with
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1192:"Global Impacts: Trauma, health equity, human rights focus of HMS certificate course"
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2018 Fellow, Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND),
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If elected, Bah planned to push forward legislation to enact a major overhaul of the
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1138:"Here's why Omar Bah, founder of RI's Refugee Dream Center, is running for Congress"
1012:"Here's why Omar Bah, founder of RI's Refugee Dream Center, is running for Congress"
992:"Refugee Dream Center honors intersections between World Refugee Day and Juneteenth"
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Psychologist, author, former journalist, refugee, and survivor leadership specialist
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898:"Refugee journalist Omar Bah to speak with Rhode Island Senators Reed, Whitehouse"
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1072:"Refugee Dream Center founder Omar Bah to run for Congress - The Boston Globe"
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883:"Omar Bah: Founder & Executive Director of the Refugee Dream Center, Inc"
866:"Their past was a nightmare. For many refugees, the Dream Center offers hope"
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936:"Refugee Dream Center gives support to hundreds of Rhode Island's refugees"
203:. He is the founder and executive director of the Refugee Dream Center in
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885:. Brown University - Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies.
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awarded Bah the Healthy Housing Advocacy Award in 2011 for his efforts.
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Candidates in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections
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1045:"Founder of Rhode Island's Refugee Dream Center running for Congress"
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2016 John F. Kiffney Public Service Award, Providence Newspaper Guild
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698:, service to humanity, and education. As part of the faculty for
314:. After spending a year at the refugee camp, Bah arrived in
1113:"NEW: Bah Announces Run for Congress, Doherty Will Not Run"
977:"My Turn: Omar Bah: American greatness rests in compassion"
774:
Africa's Hell on Earth: The Ordeal of an African Journalist
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776:. Tate Publishing & Enterprises. ISBN 978-1629022789.
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Despite the challenges of navigating his new life in the
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2017 Fellow, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities,
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UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
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UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
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Founder of the Refugee Dream Center in Rhode Island
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213:ran for the United States House of Representatives
750:2019 Community Service Award, Oasis International
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298:with the help of human rights activists from the
605:Bah received a national diploma in law from The
371:From 2011 to 2019, Bah was invited to represent
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310:, where he was accepted to be resettled in the
1224:Interview with Omar Bah on thepublicsradio.org
753:2019-2022 Fellow, Culture of Health Leaders,
472:Continuing activism and community involvement
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821:"Refugees Find a Dreamcatcher in Providence"
269:fellow journalists, called for his release.
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1070:Fitzpatrick, Edward; January 22, Updated.
491:in 2018. In an opinion piece published in
272:From 2002 to 2006, Bah wrote a column for
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717:2015 'Rhode Islander of the Year' Award,
552:Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district
217:Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district
1043:Hollingworth, Daniel (22 January 2022).
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735:2017 Red Bandana Award, Red Bandana Fund
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375:in the Refugee Congress hosted by the
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759:2021 Young Alumni Achievement Award,
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1179:. Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma.
607:Gambia Technical Training Institute
476:In 2017, Bah was able to return to
864:McGinnis, Lindsey (6 April 2020).
819:Carini, Frank (22 February 2016).
538:for communities around the world.
440:and skills development, including
411:During his first few years in the
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1258:University of Rhode Island alumni
1165:. The University of Rhode Island.
955:"Omar Bah's Refugee Dream Center"
896:Ziner, Karen Lee (15 June 2013).
853:. The University of Rhode Island.
834:Ratnapuri, Neha (15 April 2021).
713:Rhode Island Department of Health
635:master's in public administration
361:Rhode Island Department of Health
351:per capita among all children in
343:Advocacy for safe refugee housing
262:During his first year of work at
1263:Roger Williams University alumni
300:Media Foundation for West Africa
1190:Shridhare, Lori (2 June 2021).
573:. His priorities also included
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755:Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
627:community economic development
623:The University of Rhode Island
321:The University of Rhode Island
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1253:Journalists from Rhode Island
990:Boyle, Clare (23 June 2020).
953:Gonzalez, Ana (2 July 2019).
836:"The Journey of Dr. Omar Bah"
661:treatment certification from
585:; and he is a supporter of a
1298:William James College alumni
1214:Refugee Dream Center profile
868:. Christian Science Monitor.
657:in 2016. Bah also completed
565:, provide more funding for
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975:Bah, Omar (15 July 2018).
90:University of Rhode Island
1194:. Harvard Medical School.
761:Roger Williams University
671:organizational leadership
639:Roger Williams University
631:Roger Williams University
567:early childhood education
238:, Bah sought to become a
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1273:21st-century journalists
205:Providence, Rhode Island
1177:"Omar Bah: GMH Faculty"
288:The Gambia Police Force
1303:Rhode Island Democrats
700:Harvard Medical School
663:Harvard Medical School
594:political polarization
493:The Providence Journal
483:Bah spoke out against
58:Republic of The Gambia
1278:Founders of charities
979:. Providence Journal.
900:. Providence Journal.
696:post-traumatic growth
683:William James College
655:William James College
647:counseling psychology
625:and a certificate in
615:communication studies
546:After Representative
542:2022 Run for Congress
516:unemployment benefits
460:); health promotion;
454:workforce development
290:declaring a national
223:Early life and career
108:William James College
921:Refugee Dream Center
917:"2020 Annual Report"
731:Rhode Island College
720:Rhode Island Monthly
677:with an emphasis in
651:global mental health
407:Refugee Dream Center
327:Refugee pioneer work
252:freedom of the press
244:political corruption
1268:Gambian journalists
240:human rights lawyer
172:.refugeedreamcenter
16:American journalist
959:The Public's Radio
940:The Public's Radio
772:Bah, Omar (2014).
592:Bah spoke against
571:affordable housing
563:immigration system
458:financial literacy
275:The Daily Observer
1313:Gambian emigrants
706:Honors and awards
619:political science
611:bachelor's degree
508:social distancing
500:COVID-19 pandemic
438:social assistance
282:Life as a refugee
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