About Umoja - Voices of Change

Our Mission

"To amplify diverse voices and create space for stories that inspire meaningful change in our communities and beyond."

Umoja, which means "unity" in Swahili, is the foundation of our platform. We believe that through sharing personal stories, we can foster understanding, build connections, and inspire action on the issues that matter most to our communities.

Voices of Change was founded in 2020 during a time of global uncertainty and social awakening. We recognized the power of personal storytelling to bridge divides and create empathy across different experiences and perspectives.

Our Core Values

Compassion

We approach every story with empathy and care, recognizing the courage it takes to share personal experiences.

Community

We build connections through shared experiences, creating a supportive environment for all voices.

Amplification

We elevate underrepresented voices and perspectives that might otherwise go unheard.

Action

We believe stories can inspire meaningful change, both personally and collectively.

Meet Our Team

Maya Johnson

Founder & Executive Director

Maya founded Voices of Change after 15 years as a community organizer and journalist. She believes in the transformative power of storytelling to build bridges and drive social change.

David Chen

Editorial Director

With a background in publishing and social work, David oversees our editorial process, ensuring stories are authentic, impactful, and respectfully presented.

Amina Patel

Community Engagement Manager

Amina builds partnerships with community organizations and facilitates storytelling workshops to help people share their experiences effectively.

Marcus Rivera

Digital Strategist

Marcus ensures our platform reaches the widest possible audience while creating a safe, accessible space for both storytellers and readers.

Our Impact

1000+ Stories Published

45+ Countries Represented

20+ Community Partners

150K+ Monthly Readers

Beyond these numbers, our true impact lies in the connections formed, the perspectives changed, and the actions inspired by the stories we share. We've heard from readers who have sought mental health support, become community advocates, or simply reached out to others with similar experiences after engaging with our platform.

"Reading these stories showed me I wasn't alone. They gave me the courage to seek help and eventually share my own journey." — Sarah K., Reader & Contributor

Get Involved

Share Your Story

Add your voice to our community and help others who may be going through similar experiences.

Submit a Story

Volunteer

Help with editing, community outreach, or facilitating storytelling workshops.

Spread the Word

Share our stories on social media and help amplify these important voices.