Episode 41: Meron Semedar spent years running for his life, now he’s running for election to the city council in Oakland, Calif.

~ Khaboshi

Mr. Meron Semedar, a refugee from Eritrea, is seeking to become the first African-born person to be elected to the city council in Oakland, California. Semedar, who wants to represent District 3, has spent nearly two decades in community organizing, and advocating for immigrant, refugee, and human rights.

Now a proud U.S. citizen, he believes that he has something unique to offer Oakland. He’s also urging African immigrants across America to get more involved in the local politics of the community they now call home.

Meron Semedar protesting Muslim ban/refugee ban at the San Francisco International Airport. PHOTO CREDIT: Meron Semedar for Oakland City Council, District 3

Published by Khaboshi

Khaboshi is a videographer and currently produces a podcast called Africa Straight Talk. After graduating from San Francisco State University, Khaboshi began working in video production and some of the documentaries she has worked on have been shown at local Bay Area film festivals. After a couple of years, Khaboshi enrolled in Johns Hopkins University and graduated with a Masters in Communications. When not working on the podcast, you will find Khaboshi outdoors hiking, or visiting small towns around California and around the world. -- There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." --Maya Angelou.