Maebel is a Tigrayan-American activist and mother of three, based in New York, whose early experience as a refugee shaped her lifelong commitment to justice and human rights. She is the co-founder of the Tigray Action Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to ending violence in Ethiopia's Tigray region and supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. She is also the co-founder of United Women of the Horn, an organization mobilizing communities around civil liberties. A strong advocate for young women's rights and community empowerment, Maebel works to advance racial, gender, and child rights both in the U.S. and across Africa. Her impactful efforts have been recognized by major media outlets including Forbes, The New York Times, BBC, and NPR.
"Neema Shojai is a passionate trial attorney and founder of Shojai Law Firm, known for his strategic and tireless advocacy in high-stakes personal injury, civil rights, medical malpractice, and employment discrimination cases. After earning his law degree from California Western School of Law in 2018, Neema gained experience at both a nationally ranked defense firm and a small plaintiffs' practice before launching his own firm. Fluent in multiple languages, he is dedicated to serving a diverse clientele, with a reputation for securing life-changing outcomes through meticulous preparation and fearless litigation."
Dr. Monica Hinton, PhD in Clinical Psychology, currently serves as a Behavioral Health Therapist at SHARP McDonald Center, where she provides medically supervised mental health and substance abuse services within a structured recovery program. In addition to her clinical work, she is the past president of the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) and serves on the board of the San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA), where she continues to advocate for culturally responsive mental health care and equitable treatment for diverse communities
Hafsa Mohamed,a co-founder of HAMI (Health Advocacy and Mutual Inclusivity), holds an academic background in Sociology, Women’s Studies, and International Development. She is a dedicated women’s rights and disability rights advocate, as well as a civic engagement specialist with deep roots in both the Horn of Africa and California. Hafsa serves as a consultant and researcher for humanitarian and international governmental organizations, where she contributes her expertise to impactful global initiatives. Passionate about addressing mental health crises, particularly within underserved communities and inner-city San Diego, she is committed to connecting individuals with the resources and support they need to thrive.
Jesse Mills PhD, has been faculty in Ethnic Studies since Fall 2006. His teaching, research, artistic and activist work focuses on Black liberation, immigration and refugee studies, social movements, Indigenous decolonization, and anti-racist philanthropy. In San Diego’s Somali community, the primary site for his research, Mills has served as an organizer, advocate, ESL teacher, youth mentor, educational consultant, organizational advisor, and community member.
Ikram Yusuf is a HAMI Board Member with a background in psychology and a passion for mental wellness, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment. She holds a degree in Psychology and brings a unique blend of insight, heart, and hustle to everything she does.
As a small business owner, Ikram knows firsthand the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and building systems of support.
Hinda Hadji, a Somali-American and board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), is a dedicated medical professional and first responder serving the San Diego community. With a strong commitment to public health, she provides compassionate, high-quality care to those in need. Beyond her clinical role, Hinda is a passionate community advocate who cares deeply about the well-being, advancement, and empowerment of the inner-city Somali community, working tirelessly to promote positive change and support underserved populations.
