Vienna Mbagaya
Invisible Neighbors
Washington, DC USA
"When you're struggling you feel isolated, because we're ashamed to share when we're struggling. But you're not the only one. We're all connected in this. I like the struggle because I think where I'm going is bigger than me and it forces me to get over myself."
Career Roadmap
Vienna's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Writing, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Boston College
Graduate Degree
Public Health, General
George Washington University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Came to the US from Kenya in high school; says the change was "more than a culture shock; it was a smack in the face."
2.
Unfamiliar with US vernacular and cultural norms, she was placed in special ed despite protests and fell into isolation.
3.
Feeling alienated eroded her self-esteem; so much so that she avoided mirrors in fear of facing how different she was.
4.
Decided to share her immigrant story in a blog post and received an outpouring of support from people all over the world.
5.
Realized she had tapped into a common human experience everyone could relate to: feeling alone.
6.
Recognizing the power of community to tackle isolation, she founded Invisible Neighbors, an organization that gives voice to immigrants.
7.
Today, as a consultant and entrepreneur, she's on a mission foster global inclusion and empower those who feel invisible.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Coming to America to me was, when I say a culture shock, it's an understatement. It was just a smack in the face. So for me since I didn't understand the American vernacular I was put in special ed. I would go days sometimes without talking to anyone, and anyone talking to me or even noticing I was there, and that's because of my accent.