Meet Iman: Volunteer in NYC
In partnership with Ladders for Leaders, Iman joined CMMB this summer to support our New York office. Originally from Ghana, Iman attended Borough of Manhattan Community College with an Associates in Science, and is planning on attending CUNY Hunter College to study biology in this coming fall. She is very interested in children’s health in under developed countries and hopes to continue her education in order to help those in need. Read on to find out more about Iman and her hopes for the future.
Where is home? I was born in Ghana and came to the states when I was 9. But I am of Ghanaian and Nigerian descent.
Education: I received an Associates in Science degree from the Borough of Manhattan Community College and I will be attending CUNY Hunter College majoring in Biology this fall.
Job Title at CMMB: Partnerships Intern
If you were asked to sum yourself up in two words, which two would you choose? Love and smile.
Why CMMB? I have always wanted to work in non-profit to learn more about its logistics. I want to continue my education to become a physician’s assistant (PA) to be able to be out in the field and help those in need. CMMB seems like a great start!
Imagine you are stuck in an elevator. Who would you most like to be stuck with? And why? I would like to be stuck in an elevator with Oprah Winfrey. I remember watching her show every single day when I first came to the States. I would rush home from school to hear and learn about different things and ideas. And I think it eventually made me interested in social issues. One of the issues that I am still passionate about is access to education for girls across the globe. I was ecstatic when Oprah built her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. She is truly a giving and caring person.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of being the eldest of 10 kids even though it’s a lot of pressure and responsibility.
You are featured in the NY Times or your national newspaper. What’s the headline? “A group of physicians build one of the largest hospitals in Ghana”
What would be your theme song? Hero by Mariah Carey
Imagine if you were an animal or instrument – which would you be and why? I would want to be a traditional talking drum because like the talking drum, I always have a lot to say but also pause and listen to others.
Favorite quote: A word to the wise is enough. – An old Ghanaian proverb
What book should everyone read? Why? One of my favorite books is Forged by Fire, by Sharon Draper. I read it back in middle school and it is still one of my favorite books today. The book shares with readers a lot of interesting life lessons and the significance of being resilient.
Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? My best friend Fatima because she has been through everything with me. She is practically a human diary!
Favorite speech or Tedtalk: Can We Auto-Correct Humanity? by Prince EA
What are the three things you are most grateful for? I am most grateful for my family and friends, my education, and all the people who always smile and help me find my way whenever I am lost in the city!
Who is your biggest inspiration and why? My parents because they have and are still working very hard to give my siblings and me a better life than they had.