Meet the 2023 Boards and Commissions Fellowship Mentors


 

Salome Mwangi

Salome Mwangi has called Boise, Idaho home since relocating here 16 years ago via the refugee resettlement program from Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival, she put to good use her language skills by bridging the language and cultural gap between limited English proficient immigrants and their service providers. She became integrated into her new culture as she navigated life as a Boise State University student, a single parent  and while working at several corporate organizations within the Treasure Valley. Salome noticed that the refugee and immigrant community are underrepresented in most of the arenas that pertain to their lives.

 In participating in the Fellowship program in 2021, gained the necessary skills and connections in order to lend her voice and perspective, as well as those of other immigrants in boards and commissions and other arenas. She is passionate about bringing more voices and flavors to the table, whichever table, around the communities that we all share in. 

Salome shares her life with her 16-year-old daughter, with whom she continues  to learn how to be a successful Kenyan mother to her Third Culture Kid. She loves traveling and meeting new people and learning about their cultures. She also delights in opening up her culture through sharing her Kenyan cuisine and storytelling with others. 

She currently manages the Refugee Speakers Bureau at the Idaho Office for  Refugees.