Naliyah Kaya, Ph.D.
Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminal Justice | Montgomery College
Dr. Kaya is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Montgomery College in Maryland. She previously served as the Coordinator for Multiracial & Native American Indian/Indigenous Student Involvement in the Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy (MICA) at the University of Maryland, College Park (2013-2018) where she continues to facilitate the TOTUS Spoken Word Experience Program, which utilizes the medium of performance poetry to promote a greater understanding of social justice by examining self and society in relation to systems of power and inequality. Dr. Kaya’s work centers on the intersections of art and social justice. More specifically, identity, the self, multiraciality, implicit bias, and leadership. She is the the Community Liaison for the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association. Dr. Kaya earned an A.A.S. from Shoreline Community College, a B.A. in Sociology from Hampton University, and received her M.A. & Ph.D. in Sociology at George Mason University.
Riah Safady, MSW (she, her)
Coordinator, Women’s Resource Center | Southern Oregon University
Riah Safady is the Coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center at Southern Oregon University. She leads the Center, serves as a confidential advocate, teaches classes, and works across campus to promote equity and access. Additionally, she developed and advises the SWAVE (Sexual Wellness Anti-Violence Educators) team. With a focus on peer education and anti-oppressive approaches, this group of undergraduate students engages campus in positive, anti-racist, empowering and inclusive education that seeks to prevent sexual violence and promote bystander intervention, and healthy sexuality. She is a trained facilitator for Intergroup Dialogue (IDG) and has led efforts to engage students, staff and faculty in IDG classes, facilitation trainings, and workshops. She started her career working in TRIO programs, advocating for access and success for first generation and otherwise underrepresented students. Ms. Safady has over 14 years of higher education experience supporting historically underserved populations through education, empowerment, resource connection, skill development, and belonging. She holds a B.S. in Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology from the University of Oregon and a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington.
Mixed & MENA 