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2021 Global Fellows

Meet the 2021 class of Ford Global Fellows!

“I want to see people with disabilities included in all aspects of society, from education to climate adaptation.”

Indonesia

B&W Picture of Aisyah Ardani against a blue graphic background.

“I believe in building spaces that allow everyone to fight for justice and work to hold powerful forces accountable.”

Guatemala

B&W Picture of Alvaro Montenegro Muralles against an orange graphic background.

“I change stories and narratives about Indigenous people that reinforce harm, so they can change their stories—and lives.”

Guatemala

B&W Picture of Andrea Isabel Ixchíu Hernández against a red graphic background.

“I work to ensure that everyone has the right to safe and dignified work, free from the threat of exploitation.”

Tanzania

B&W Picture of Angela Benedicto against a purple graphic background.

“The safety and prosperity of human rights defenders, Afro-descendants, and people living in favelas must be protected.”

Brazil

B&W Picture of Anielle Francisco da Silva against a green graphic background.

“Indigeneous artists carry the legacy and culture of Traditional people, and deserve to have equal opportunity and rights.”

Indonesia

B&W Picture of Aristofani Fahmi against a purple graphic background.

“I work to ensure that all girls in Nigeria can access their rights to education and opportunity with safety and freedom.”

Nigeria

B&W Picture of Bukky Shonibare against a blue graphic background.

“My work fosters self expression, critical thinking, and connection between people through arts and education.”

Hong Kong

B&W Picture of Chantal Wong against an orange graphic background.

“Girls and women in Colombia’s Pacific region must be empowered to take on leadership roles and have access to education.”

Colombia

B&W Picture of Cruz Helena Valencia Moreno against an orange graphic background.

“Helping underserved communities achieve financial health is critical to economic and social progress around the world.”

United States

B&W Picture of Dandan Wang against a red graphic background.

“I work to transform and build the political consciousness of Indigenous women so they can advocate for their interests.”

Indonesia

B&W Picture of Devi Anggraini against a green graphic background.

“Technology is a powerful tool to fight the oppression of sexism and patriarchy and can promote safe spaces.”

Indonesia

B&W Picture of Dhyta Caturani against a purple graphic background.

“I believe art is a powerful force that can challenge outdated notions of social justice and spur meaningful social change.”

Brazil

B&W Picture of Diane Sousa da Silva Lima against a green graphic background.

“I want to see quality education and a strong economy for Indigenous people in Timor, Indonesia, and preserve our culture.”

Indonesia

B&W Picture of Dicky Senda against a blue graphic background.

“I want to see systemic changes that give marginalized communities meaningful access to inclusive and safe technology.”

South Africa

B&W Picture of Duduetsang Makuse against an orange graphic background.

“We can’t address the world’s injustices without ensuring rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.”

Nigeria

B&W Picture of Ekaete Judith Umoh against a red graphic background.

“I believe democracy depends on strong movements for workers’ rights and structures that enhance participatory economics.”

United States

B&W Picture of Esteban Kelly against a red graphic background.

“We must ensure the human rights of marginalized communities and stop exploitative practices that perpetuate oppression.”

Togo

B&W Picture of Farida Bemba Nabourema against a purple graphic background.

“I believe that Guatemala can be a country where all people can participate in democracy, civic space, and social change.”

Guatemala

B&W Picture of Gabriel Wer against a green graphic background.

“My work is rooted in the belief that everyone must have equal access to the legal system and protection of the law.”

Jordan

B&W Picture of Hadeel Abdel Aziz against a blue graphic background.

“I want to transform Rio de Janeiro into a city where everyone has access to opportunity and can live with dignity.”

Brazil

B&W Picture of Henrique Silveira de Souza against an orange graphic background.

“I believe journalism should connect people around the world by building understanding of different perspectives.”

Belgium

B&W Picture of Hui (Lulu) Ning against a blue graphic background.

“Technology has the power to create better social conditions for millions of people in Tanzania and around the world.”

Tanzania

B&W Picture of Ian Damian Tarimo against a red graphic background.

“I work to ensure people with disabilities must be partners with governments and funders in addressing the world’s challenges.”

Tunisia

B&W Picture of Imededdine Ouertani against a purple graphic background.

“Indigenous people have the right to control their land and live free of exploitation.”

Brazil

B&W Picture of Ivo Cípio Aureliano against a purple graphic background.

“It’s time for women to be in leadership positions in every sector of society. I work to realize this in Southern Africa.”

South Africa

B&W Picture of Jabhisane Pinky Langa against a green graphic background.

“I am committed to being a strong voice for feminism and advocating for the rights of women around the world.”

Hong Kong

B&W Picture of Jing Xiong against an orange graphic background.

“Women and girls in Sierra Leone and around the world must have equal access to education and be free from discrimination.”

Sierra Leone

B&W Picture of Joseph Kaifala against a blue graphic background.

“We can achieve a society that is free of sex trafficking and where all children, women and transgender people are safe.”

India

B&W Picture of Juliana Lohar against a blue graphic background.

“My work is rooted in the belief that those on the margins of society have the power to radically shift us toward justice.”

South Africa

B&W Picture of Keamogetswe Seipato against a blue graphic background.

“I want to weave stories that bring us closer to a decolonized, liberated world of free people and free information.”

United States

B&W Picture of Lewis Raven Wallace against a purple graphic background.

“I believe in a society that promotes the active, healthy, and dignified inclusion of elderly people in Venezuela and around the world.”

Venezuela

B&W Picture of Luis Francisco Cabezas against a green graphic background.

“Art and music can empower Black and Indigenous women, break oppressive cultural narratives and promote human rights.”

Perú

B&W Picture of María Del Pilar Cáceres Cartagena against a green graphic background.

“I believe visualizing and sharing public finance data and laws can help citizens advocate for the outcomes they need.”

Uganda

B&W Picture of Michael Richard Katagaya against an orange graphic background.

“I believe all communities can thrive if they have sustainable access to clean water. My work is dedicated to this goal.”

South Africa

B&W Picture of Murendeni Mafumo against a blue graphic background.

“I work to center the experiences of women of color through a feminist lens in achieving a labor movement that works for all.”

United States

B&W Picture of Neidi Dominguez against a red graphic background.

“I believe STEAM learning will bring out the best in all students, especially those from underrepresented communities.”

United States

B&W Picture of Nettrice Gaskins against a purple graphic background.

“Indigenous people in Ecuador, particularly women, must be free to exercise their rights to freedom, safety and opportunity.”

Ecuador

B&W Picture of Nina Sisa Guamán Villa against a red graphic background.

“We can end gender-based violence through community programs that address men’s trauma and create positive male role models.”

South Africa

B&W Picture of Nkosikhona Swaartbooi against a green graphic background.

“Protecting the rights and safety of at-risk sexual and gender minorities in Africa is what motivates my work.”

Uganda

B&W Picture of Noah Mirembe Gabigogo against an orange graphic background.

“I believe in the power of storytelling to build community and create a more equitable society for all people around the world.”

Jordan

B&W Picture of Ramsey George Tesdell against an orange graphic background.

“As a singer-songwriter in Guatemala, I believe music has the power to embrace memory, heal communities and resist injustice.”

Guatemala

B&W Picture of Sara Curruchich Cúmez against a blue graphic background.

“I am dedicated to creating strong systems of integrity that are a bulwark against corruption at all levels of society.”

Indonesia

B&W Picture of Sely Martini against a purple graphic background.

“I’ve advocated for open prisons throughout India, and for ending the cruel and ineffective practice of caging people.”

India

B&W Picture of Smita Chakraburtty against a red graphic background.

“We must give activists and human rights defenders the tools to protect themselves from threats to their digital security.”

Zimbabwe

B&W Picture of Tawanda Mugari against a red graphic background.

“Through sustainable investments, refugee youth can engage with their society and influence decisions and local policies.”

Jordan

B&W Picture of Waleed Abu Nada against a green graphic background.

“I work to ensure civic participation of communities and youth who face inequality and denial of their human rights.”

El Salvador

B&W Picture of Wendy Lisseth Morales Gálvez against an orange graphic background.

“I work to ensure that people with disabilities are a valued part of society, with full rights, opportunity and dignity.”

United States

B&W Picture of Zhiying Ma against a blue graphic background.