In this episode, I speak with Dr. Omar Bah, who is a journalist, author, and community leader from The Gambia.
Omar's story is about courage, resilience, and purpose. He went from reporting the truth in The Gambia to escaping persecution and starting over as a refugee in the United States. Now, he leads the Refugee Dream Center in Providence, Rhode Island, works as a mental health professional, and supports displaced communities.

He also ran for Congress because he believes policy can change lives. In our conversation, we’ll discuss what led him into politics, the issues that inspired him, and how his work in mental health and refugee advocacy has shaped his vision. We’ll also look at policy challenges in The Gambia, migration trends across Africa, and why global action matters.

This episode highlights how personal experience can shape public service and how one person’s journey can have a wide impact.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Power of Journalism
• 12:23 Trauma and Mental Health
• 22:41 Rebuilding and Resettlement
• 36:51 The Struggle of the Gambian Diaspora
• 42:35 The Importance of Belonging and Support for Leaders
• 01:00:53 Equitable Policies for Displaced People
• 01:07:50 Belonging and Identity
• 01:21:00 Embracing Identity and Education