The NICE Voices Collective

Wisdom considers himself a child of both South Sudan and Kenya. Although he is South Sudanese by nationality, he was raised in Kenya in one of the world's largest refugee camps. He often reflects on how life in the camp shaped his resilience, perseverance, and determination. Wisdom credits much of his strength to his mother, who, despite raising her children as a single parent, created opportunities for them to grow and encouraged them to dream beyond their circumstances.

In 2024, Wisdom, his mother, and his brothers were resettled in the United States, where they received case management services through NICE's refugee resettlement program.
Wisdom is passionate about media production and is an aspiring actor. He currently produces a podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to providing news, education, and resources for South Sudanese diaspora communities around the world.

As a member of the NICE Voices Collective, Wisdom is excited to share his story, inspire others through his experiences, and continue developing his skills as a public speaker.

Arifa was born and raised in Afghanistan, where she persistently fought for her right to an education. Throughout her life, she was twice prohibited from attending school — first as an elementary student and later while pursuing her college education. During those periods, Arifa took the initiative to educate herself and her siblings using whatever books and resources were available to them.

After the Taliban took power in 2021, Arifa and her family began the process of applying for refugee status. In 2024, she, her husband, and their son were resettled in Nashville, where they began building a new life together.

Since arriving in the United States, Arifa and her husband have participated in several NICE programs, including bilingual banking, driver's education, and digital literacy. She is passionate about lifelong learning and empowering others through education.

As a member of the NICE Voices Collective, Arifa is honored to share her story with the hope of inspiring others to persevere through adversity and believe in the possibility of a brighter future.

Evens was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he studied Public Administration at Université Sainte Geneviève and International Relations at Centre d’Etudes Diplomatiques et Internationales (CEDI).

In 2024, amid growing political unrest, he made the difficult decision to leave the country he loved and begin a new chapter in the United States. After arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, Evens enrolled in NICE's Adult Education Program, where he successfully completed our advanced English classes. Today, he gives back by volunteering to help other students strengthen their English conversation skills.

Evens is currently a paralegal student at Nashville State Community College and aspires to become an immigration attorney, using his own experiences to advocate for and support others navigating the immigration process.

As a member of the NICE Voices Collective, Evens is passionate about sharing the rich culture and history of Haiti while fostering greater understanding of the refugee and immigration journey.

Jacky grew up near Lima, Peru, where her journey toward a new life became deeply intertwined with her search for love, acceptance, and belonging. Growing up in a society that has traditionally been less accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals, she experienced judgment from members of her own community. Those experiences ultimately led her to make the courageous decision to follow her partner to the United States in hopes of building a future where she could live more authentically.

After settling in Nashville, Jacky found a welcoming community and a place she is proud to call home. Through NICE's Adult Education program, she earned her HiSET certificate — an important milestone that reflects her determination and commitment to continuing her education. She hopes to one day pursue a career in journalism, using storytelling to inform, connect, and amplify the voices of others.

As a member of the NICE Voices Collective, Jacky is excited to educate others about the many pathways through the U.S. immigration system while sharing her own experience of finding belonging in a new country. Through her story, she hopes to encourage empathy, challenge misconceptions, and inspire others to create communities where everyone feels welcomed and valued.