What happens when people can’t understand the systems meant to support them?

In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova, founder and CEO of Ad Astra, Inc., and AdAstraConnect speaks with Omari Jeremiah, Founding Director of Next Generation Language Access, about language access as a human right, and the real-world consequences when it’s missing.

Drawing from over a decade as a professional interpreter and trainer, Omari shares how community advocacy, youth empowerment, and policy change can transform access to education, healthcare, and justice.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why language access is essential to equity and dignity
• The impact of local and federal language access laws
• Grassroots advocacy behind language access legislation in Baltimore
• Training immigrant youth as professional interpreters
• The risks of relying on family members instead of trained interpreters
• Growing demand for professional interpreters across sectors

🎧 Watch the full episode to learn how language access creates opportunity, leadership, and systemic change.

About Omari Jeremiah

Omari Jeremiah is the Founding Director of Next Generation Language Access and a professional Spanish interpreter with over ten years of experience in educational, mental health, and legal interpreting. He is also a licensed interpreter trainer who has prepared high school students and multilingual professionals to become community interpreters.

Fluent in Spanish, Swahili, Portuguese, and American Sign Language, Omari is a passionate advocate for youth development and language access in education. He is also the author of the children’s book series Paperboy.

🔗 LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/omari-jeremiah-8a323277⁠