Together We Rise: Solidarity Stories from Central Ohio

Kristen Guptill-Godfrey (they/them) is a revolutionary socialist and organizer currently living in Arizona on unceded Tohono O’odham [The-ha-naw Awe-thumb] and Yoeme [YOH eh-me] ancestral and traditional lands.

Kristen’s mom was born and raised in Columbus, and although Kristen moved a lot growing up, they consider Columbus home. They got the opportunity to live in Columbus from 2016-2018, and during that time they became a revolutionary socialist and joined their first political home.

Kristen also worked as a social worker and supported queer and trans young people. They are a member of Tempest Collective and a PhD student at the University of Arizona.

Kristen strives to organize and be part of a growing, imperfect left that’s rooted in solidarity and internationalism to fight back against the authoritarianism and liberal capitulation we’re currently facing.

Their local work includes organizing on campus for Palestinian liberation and fighting back against the attacks on DEI. 

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Aramis Sundiata is a movement strategist, organizer, and educator serving as the Executive Director of the People’s Justice Project (PJP). Aramis has spent over a decade fighting to overturn colonial violence and build political power rooted in Black liberation.

With a background in African Studies from The Ohio State University, Aramis has cultivated a deep commitment to global justice, decolonization, and the self-determination of African and colonized peoples in the US. Founded in the wake of state-sanctioned violence that claimed the lives of countless people in Ohio and US, PJP connects direct action, civic engagement, and political education to bold demands for transformation.

Aramis’ work is grounded in the ideology that African people at home and abroad must struggle for self determination, dignity, and power. Through coalition building, mentorship, and unapologetic truth-telling, Aramis seeks to shape the revolutionary trajectory of organizing in the Midwest and beyond.

Note: Interview recorded in September 2025

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Ajmeri Hoque is a licensed attorney in Ohio and New York with a focus on criminal defense, juvenile defense, and guardian ad litem work. She brings over 15 years of legal experience to her practice. 

Originally from Bangladesh, Ajmeri moved with her family to the United States as a toddler and has since dedicated her career to serving marginalized communities in Central Ohio. She graduated from Ohio State with a major in political science in 2006.

Throughout her career, Ajmeri has noted that folks from lower-income and underserved communities are the largest demographic she encounters in Court. She has not only represented these vulnerable people in her cases but has also spent extensive time in their neighborhoods and seen their lives firsthand. 

Ajmeri is proud to have been able to fight for clients who have been wrongly accused and, by telling their stories to juries and judges, she is proud to have been instrumental in reunifying children with their parents.

Please Note: On November 4, 2025, Ajmeri Hoque was elected to Franklin County Municipal Court, becoming Ohio’s first Muslim judge. This interview was recorded while Ajmeri was practicing as an attorney and several months before she was elected.

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Liliana Rivera Baiman has worked to build progressive movements alongside workers and working families for over 18 years.  

Born in rural San Luis Potosí, Mexico, she immigrated to the U.S. as a child. She has spent the totality of her career fighting for immigrant and worker justice, primarily as a union organizer and most recently around tenant union organizer. 

In 2019 as a new mother, Liliana ran for Columbus City Council. A highlight of her campaign platform was the creation of truly affordable housing for working families, maintaining a support network for tenants, and putting an end to unnecessary tax abatements handed out to wealthy corporations at the expense of public schools. 

She currently works at Defend and Recruit as a trainer supporting ICE defense groups all across the county and has recently started working as the Build the Base Director at the Workplace Justice Lab at Rutgers University. 

Liliana lives on the south side with her husband Jeremy, son Dylan, and cat Moose.

Please Note: this episode was recorded before the ICE escalation in Columbus in December 2025.

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Mazen Rasoul, Esq., is a Palestinian-American attorney based in Columbus, Ohio, with a rich background in law, community service, and advocacy. Born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1990, Mazen’s family moved to Ramallah, West Bank, in 1993. He returned to Columbus in 2008, receiving a B.A. in Political Science at The Ohio State University, and J.D. from Capital University Law School in 2015.

In 2016, Mazen founded Rasoul Law Office, specializing in Immigration Law, Small Business and Contracts, and other legal areas. He is deeply involved in the Immigrant and New American community in Central Ohio, serving as chairman of the board of directors at the Riverview International Center, a local Columbus based non-profit that provides services to new Americans to help them start their new lives in the US. He also serves as a board member of the Arab American Bar Association of Ohio as well as Ohio in Arabic Foundation.

Mazen has been an active member of the Palestinian solidarity movement in central Ohio since 2008. He served as the president of OSU’s Committee for Justice in Palestine (now Students for Justice in Palestine-OSU), founded the Art of Freedom Dabkah Troupe, and more. More recently, he is founding member of Baladna, Palestine Society of Columbus, and serves on its board of directors. Mazen was one of the lawyers representing students and other arrested during OSU’s repression of the Palestine solidarity encampment in April 2024.

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James Hayes is a seasoned organizer and leader in the Ohio social movement landscape, with over a decade of experience. He is currently the codirector of Ohio Voice, where he works tirelessly to drive social and political initiatives that uplift marginalized communities.

In 2012, James co-founded the Ohio Student Association, a platform that quickly gained recognition for its impactful campaigns. For four years, he served as an organizer and director, fostering a vibrant community of young activists dedicated to positive change across Ohio.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, James resides with his wife Amelia and their son Felix.

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“Together We Rise” host Dr. Pranav Jani discusses the goals of the podcast, the concept of “history from below” and the hard work of solidarity.

Dr. Jani is an associate professor of English at Ohio State and a longtime social justice organizer. More about Dr. Jani on the podcast home page or the about tab of his website: pranavjani.com.

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