mentor profiles
Meet the people behind everything we do!
kawsar
Harvard
Class of 2026
History
Co-Founder
What I do for fun:
Thrift, flip through old and used books, spend time with friends, and travel
I'm serious about:
Human rights organizing & activism
My favorite maqal temsil:
At tapquche éshek min.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I listen to stories of my parents' childhoods; Uyghur children share their ambitions, dreams, and aspirations with me; I plan demonstrations and events with other Uyghur youth.
zilala
Cornell
Class of 2026
Government
Co-Founder
What I do for fun:
I love travel, hiking, art, and creative writing!
I'm serious about:
East Turkestan independence. I dream of one day returning back to the land of our people and of our culture. Free the Uyghurs!!!
My favorite maqal temsil:
Ishligen chishleydu.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I feel most Uyghur when I learn more about the Uyghur past and our heritage–hearing of our legacy, our land, and the kingdoms we once ruled gives me hope and passion for the future.
nigara
MIT
Class of 2023
Chemical Engineering
Co-Founder
What I do for fun:
Tennis and cross-stitch!
I'm serious about:
Combining my interests in STEM and Business to become an entrepreneur. I majored in chemical engineering and will be getting my MBA in a couple of years. I hope to one day be able to be an entrepreneur and have my own clean tech startup or join one early one.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Qagha balam apaq; kirpe balam yumshaq.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I talk with other Uyghurs and relatable shared Uyghur experience and identity are brought up ~ food, music, language.
michael
University of Washington
Class of 2026
Computer Science
Mentor
What I do for fun:
I love hiking, working out, playing basketball, spending time with friends and family, and making cool robots.
I'm serious about:
Fighting against genocide through the means of technology.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Uyquda uyat yoq.
I feel most Uyghur when...
Enjoying a plate full of my mom's homemade laghman.
alip
University of Virginia
Class of 2025
Computer Science
Mentor
What I do for fun:
Playing basketball and discovering new movies!
I'm serious about:
Using the skills and knowledge I've gathered to empower the next generation of Uyghur youth.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Sevir qilsang ghoridin halwa pütër.
I feel most Uyghur when...
Listening to Uyghur music, enjoying my mom's delicious cooking, and sharing our culture with my friends and peers.
leila
Cambridge University
Class of 2026
History and Politics
Mentor
What I do for fun:
I love reading fiction, especially translated works. I love to travel and spend time exploring new places.
I'm serious about:
Trying my best to learn Uyghurche!
My favorite maqal temsil:
Jahan saña baqmisa, sen Jahan’gha baq.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I drink etken chai.
iltikin
Carnegie Mellon
Class of 2026
Artificial Intelligence
Co-Founder
What I do for fun:
I love the outdoors: mountain biking, hiking, running, or simply enjoying a nice view.
I'm serious about:
Using technology to preserve Uyghur culture and language.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Awwal oyla andin sözle.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I'm taking steps towards the collective freedom of our Uyghur people with my inspiring peers.
mahliya
Rice
Class of 2026
CogSci, Applied Math
Co-Founder
What I do for fun:
I love reading, listening to music, and yoga!
I'm serious about:
I hope to attend grad school for Cognitive Science (or something adjacent) and potentially go into industry or academia afterward! I still haven't decided so I'm open to anything (except for med school).
My favorite maqal temsil:
Eqil yashta emes, bashta.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I listen to music in Uyghurche with my family; I visit home during the semester and get to taste my mother's cooking; I find myself working with the Rawan team toward our goal of empowering and encouraging Uyghur youth to dream big.
mohammad
Yale
Class of 2021
Global Affairs
Mentor
What I do for fun:
Snorkeling, long-distance running, and being on the water.
I'm serious about:
Learning more about the world through travel and trying new things outside of my comfort zone.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Bir novdan mingtta meva etishadi.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I'm in the kitchen helping my parents prepare a meal or teaching my friends about my Uyghur background.
manzura
University of Cincinatti
Class of 2026
Nursing
Mentor
What I do for fun:
I love taking long walks, making new recipes, and spending time with family and friends.
I'm serious about:
Bringing transformative healthcare to vulnerable populations, ensuring that everyone has access to medical care they deserve.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Bilmeslik eyib emes, sorimasliq eyib.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I am listening to my grandmas stories of her childhood while enjoying her homemade laghman.
mardan
Northeastern University
Class of 2026
Data Analytics Engineering
Mentor
What I do for fun:
I like to play soccer, listen to music, and enjoy exploring new food joints.
I'm serious about:
Leveraging technology to drive positive change for the Uyghur community.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Ashliq asan, hudaliq tas.
I feel most Uyghur when...
I’m making laghman. I love indulging in the traditional flavors of our homeland and enjoy sharing them with my family and friends.
jawhar
Princeton University
Class of 2029
Public Policy
Mentor
What I do for fun:
Write poetry, make music, design jewelry, and spend time with family.
I'm serious about:
Empowering underrepresented voices.
My favorite maqal temsil:
Eytqan soz, atqan oq.
I feel most Uyghur when...
Looking through my family's old photo albums, seeing the landscapes of weten and my parents when they were younger.
More profiles coming soon...
