Here We Are

For the final part of her oral storytelling project on mothers and daughters, Fatiya sat down to interview her mom.

Fatiya Kedir is an International Studies major from Minneapolis.

Like for so many people, 2020 was a year of grief and loss for Zoe. She found healing at George Floyd Square.

Zoe Allen is a junior Sociology and American Studies major from South Minneapolis and the White Earth Reservation.

Ndunzi’s family never had a car. Instead, he grew up learning to get around by himself. One winter, Ndunzi took a road trip to Milwaukee for the first time.

Ndunzi Kunsunga is a junior Environmental Studies major from St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Tyler’s favorite movie is Call Me By Your Name. But it’s a complicated relationship.

Tyler Sanchez is a first year from the north suburbs of Chicago.

Kalala always knew she wanted to go into theater. But at the end of high school, she went to a production of Moulin Rouge that changed everything.

Kalala Kiwanuka-Woernle is a junior Theater major from Boston.

When she was 11, Mandy had to start over from nothing. What it takes, she learned, is figuring out who you were, who you are, and what you want for the future.

Amanda Maria Ortiz is a senior Political Science and International Studies major from the west side of Chicago.

Standing before a crowd of hundreds preparing to give their high school’s commencement speech, most people would be paralyzed. But for Ayana, it was one of the first moments where she felt like she could really be herself.

Ayana Smith-Kooiman is a junior Political Science major from Janesville, Wisconsin.

In 2019, Katherine went on a geology expedition to Montana. On the second to last night of the trip, their camp was hit by a massive thunderstorm.

Katherine Irving is a junior Creative Writing major from Oakland, California.

Halfway through their first year of college, Jennings realized that this was the first time they had a teacher that looked like them.

Jennings Mergenthal is a History and Biology major from Chicago.

In 2018, Brook and his family went back to Ethiopia for the first time in ten years.

Brook Geleta is a junior Neuroscience major from Seattle, Washington.

When she was little, Swopnil and her dad grew apart. Last year, a college essay brought them back together.

Swopnil Shrestha is a senior educational studies and political science major from Farmington, Minnesota.

Jazmin was always really proud of her Spanish-speaking church. There was only one problem: She couldn’t speak Spanish.

Jazmin Barcenas is a junior Linguistics major from just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

One summer, Dat saw his first movie in theaters. It was the first time he felt truly happy.

Dat Nguyen is a junior Environmental Studies major from Wichita, Kansas.

As an older sibling, Shania spent a lot of time babysitting her little sister. But she didn’t realize how important that job was until one summer in Jamaica.

Shania Russell is a senior Media and Cultural Studies major from the Bronx in New York City.

Growing up, Juan never saw his name as anything special. A conversation with his high school librarian changed his mind.

Juan Galicia-Diaz is a junior Political Science major from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Family. Identity. Loss. Joy. These are the little stories that make us who we are. Voices of color at a predominantly white institution. New episodes every weekday, starting March 15th.

Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @herewearepod.