Join us as we welcome back acclaimed poet and speaker Sara Abou Rashed and discover how cultural connections create practical ways to build inclusive, multicultural communities where everyone belongs. Spend your morning being inspired, engaging in rich conversation, and learning best practices for creating positive, lasting change. You’ll walk away with practical tools for shaping neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces where everyone feels truly valued!
Sara Abou Rashed is a Palestinian-American poet and public speaker. She was born in Syria but has called Ohio home since 2013. Sara has delivered a TEDx Talk and keynoted many national conferences such as Senator Sherrod Brown’s Women’s Leadership Summit and the United States of Women Galvanize. At 19, Sara has created a one-woman show narrating her family’s immigration journey titled, A Map of Myself, which she has performed over 15 times across the US. Sara‘s writing appears widely including in the latest McGraw Hill 9-12 English curriculum, Poetry Magazine, Poetry Wales, and The Kenyon Review, among others. She holds a BA from Denison University, an MFA from the University of Michigan, and is currently pursuing her PhD in English at the Ohio state university. Sara’s debut poetry collection, Theories of Return, is forthcoming in 2026.
SEND US YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR THE Vorley Taylor cHAMPION AWARD
At the conference, we highlight those who contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging in the Central Ohio region. Please nominate an individual, team, or company with demonstrated and committed development or revision of a plan, project, or program for the Vorley Taylor Champion Award.
