Hawa is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy with a minor in Sociology and served as IGNITE’s Ohio Campus Organizer. She currently serves as a Policy Intern at the Ohio Domestic Violence Network and is a member of the executive team of the Muslim American Society chapter in Columbus, where she works to engage and empower community members through leadership development, community service, advocacy, and civic engagement. Hawa has experience in community organizing across Ohio, specifically related to immigration and foreign policy, and has participated in numerous leadership trainings, advocacy initiatives, and conferences.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio to two hardworking Senegalese immigrants, Hawa brings lived experiences and love of learning, which have shaped her commitment to advancing social equity and justice, with a particular focus on immigration and mass incarceration. Hawa is passionate about empowering marginalized communities to build collective power and drive meaningful change within systems that perpetuate inequity and oppression. Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Hawa enjoys reading and is always on the lookout for her next favorite book.