Graduate Assistants
Sara Abu Omarah
Sara Abu Omarah is a Fulbright scholar currently enrolled as a graduate student in the Anthropology of Peace and Human Rights Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Born and raised in Jordan, Sara obtained her law degree from the University of Jordan and practiced law for two years where she was highly active with multiple human rights cases including immigration, refugee crisis, and gender based violence. Sara also took part in policy paper writing, participated in Jordan University Model United Nations as the delegate of France and Willem C. Vis International Commercial arbitration held in Vienna for 2020, along with representing her country as a peace envoy in the Islamic conference youth forum held in turkey. Throughout her journey, Sara’s aspiration is focused on being the voice of the weak, the marginalized, and victims of all.
“Justice for the overlooked can only be served by seeking the truth and spreading awareness with no filters, which is what we aspire to achieve at the Human Rights Institute.”
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Jayla Carr
Jayla Carr is a native of Birmingham, Alabama who is currently enrolled as a graduate student in the Master's of Public Administration Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She recently graduated from the University of Alabama (Roll tide!) with a bachelor of arts in Political Science.
"Staying close to my community and my home is important to me, hoping to one day be a vital part of the city’s growth and development. During my undergraduate years, I started doing research on racial violence against Black Women in Alabama, which I have continued to work on even after graduating. Connecting and learning with the elders of my community has helped me figure out my passion for Civil Rights, community development, and public service."
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Faiza Mawani
Faiza Mawani is a sophomore studying Political Science and History. She is from Hoover, Alabama.
“I hope that I am able to further educate people about the injustices that are unfortunately a part of our world. All I can hope is that our blog is able to succeed in its mission.”
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Chadra Pittman
Chadra Pittman is a current graduate student in the Anthropology of Peace and Human Rights Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Former Educator and Public Relations Coordinator for the world-renowned 17th century New York African Burial Ground Project and Creator of Sankofa’s International Day of Remembrance, the only Middle Passage ceremony in Coastal Virginia, now in its 12th year, her sacred & scholarly life’s work has centered education, advocacy and restoring humanity for the marginalized and historically disempowered. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Sankofa Projects and 4 E.V.E.R. (End Violence End Rape in the 4 Directions of the Earth). Chadra creates educational and cultural programs, orchestrates Remembrance ceremonies honoring Ancestors, works to eradicate sexual violence across the globe, with special focus on women, girls, the deaf and LGBTQIA+ communities, with the goal of obliterating all forms of oppression.
“I was drawn to work with IHR because I believe that acknowledging our shared humanity, and by affording equitable access to human rights for everyone is the ONLY way we will save humanity and create a safe and sustainable future for the generations to come.”
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