“I am of Senegalese heritage. My youth was filled with beautiful sharing love, and mutual aid moments. My mother always welcomed people at home. I learned to open my house to the less fortunate in case of need. Generosity was second nature in our household.”
Fatou-Seydi Sarr, or Seydi, is a social justice advocate and human rights activist with ties to the Metro-Detroit area. As a graduate of Wayne State University in social work and Margrove School of Justice (M.A. SJ), Seydi’s passion for social equity drives her intersectional approaches to religious, racial, immigration, socio-economy, and gender issues.
She is also the founder and CEO of the African Bureau of Immigration and Social Affairs in Detroit, Michigan. The organization promotes social and economic justice, civic participation, and empowerment of African immigrants and refugees.
In 2017, Seydi participated in New American Leaders’ Ready to Lead and Ready to Win trainings. Though she didn’t win her race to represent District 8 in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2018, she still remains an inspiring leader and is deeply committed to her community.
“From New American Leaders I learned to acknowledge my expertise. I used my social capital network and finally asserted my immigrant status,” Seydi said. “If you want to run for office, do it. Strengthen your community network. If you want to change, please make sure that you take the time to assess the needs of your communities, center their voices in the process, and strategize on how you can help meet their needs.”