Kayse Jama

Kayse Jama is an American politician currently serving as a Democratic member of the Oregon State Senate, representing Oregon's 24th Senate district, which includes parts of Clackamas and Multnomah Counties. Jama was appointed by the Clackamas and Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to replace Shemia Fagan, who was elected Oregon Secretary of State in 2021.[5]

Kayse Jama
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 24th district
Assumed office
January 6, 2021
Preceded byShemia Fagan
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseStephanie D. Stephens[1]
ChildrenSahan and Saharla (twins)[2]
ResidencePortland, Oregon
Alma materMarylhurst University (BA)[3]
OccupationNonprofit executive director[4]
Websitewww.oregonlegislature.gov/jama

Early life and education

Kayse Jama was born into a nomadic family in Somalia. At eight years old, he moved to the capital, Mogadishu, to begin his education. Jama graduated from high school just as the civil war erupted, and he lived as a refugee for several years before arriving in San Diego in 1998.[6] He settled in Portland, Oregon, shortly thereafter. He staffed the front desk at the Portland DoubleTree Hotel and helped other newly arrived refugees adapt to life in the United States as a case manager at Lutheran Community Services Northwest, eventually receiving a bachelor's degree in sociology from Marylhurst University.

Career

In 2021, Jama stepped down as Executive Director of Unite Oregon after being appointed to the Oregon State Senate. He replaced State Senator Shemia Fagan, who was elected to serve as Oregon Secretary of State.[7] Jama represents Senate District 24 which comprises East Portland and North Clackamas. He is the first Muslim to serve in the Oregon State Legislature and the first former refugee to serve in the Oregon State Senate.[8]

From 2005 to 2007, he trained immigrant and refugee community leaders in five Western states — Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah and Idaho — under a New Voices Fellowship at the Western States Center.[9]

Unite Oregon

In 2002, Kayse Jama co-founded the Center for Intercultural Organizing, now Unite Oregon, after witnessing racial incidents in Portland following the September 11 attacks in 2001.[10] Jama served as the director of the statewide nonprofit organization until 2021.

While at Unite Oregon, Jama led community organizing and ballot measure campaigns to reduce the influence of money in politics,[11] end police profiling,[12] reform Oregon's hate crime laws,[13] and expand drug treatment.[14] Jama has also been a founding member of several coalitions in Oregon, including Fair Shot for All and the Oregon Health Equity Alliance.

Oregon State Senate

Jama is the chair of the Senate Committee On Housing and Development, and he serves on the Senate Committee On Labor and Business, and the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development.[15]

Jama believes in "co-integration," meaning immigrants should integrate into their new communities at the same time as pre-existing communities integrate with other cultures. "It's a two-way street."[10]

Awards

Jama has been awarded the Skidmore Prize[16] for outstanding young nonprofit professionals (2007),[17] the Oregon Immigrant Achievement Award from Oregon chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (2008),[18] the Lowenstein Trust Award, presented yearly to “that person who demonstrated the greatest contribution to assisting the poor and underprivileged in Portland" (2009),[19] the Portland Peace Prize (2012),[20] the Rankin Award in recognition of "lifelong activism and extraordinary service" (2016),[18] the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project's Tribune of Worker Justice Award "celebrating his dedication to uplifting the lives of Oregon immigrant and low-wage workers" (2017),[18] and a Rockwood Leadership Institute's Strengthening Democracy Fellowship (2019).[21]

Personal life

In 2004, Jama married Stephanie D. Stephens, who serves on the David Douglas School Board[22] in Portland, Oregon. Their twins, Sahan and Saharla, were born in 2010.[23]

References
  1. Sorenson, Saundra (February 4, 2021). "Kayse Jama Reflects On Becoming Oregon's First Muslim Senator". The Skanner. The Skanner News. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  2. "Campaign Web Site". Jama for Oregon.
  3. "Ballotpedia Page". Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  4. Drake, Lauren (January 6, 2021). "Kayse Jama, community organizer and Somali immigrant, nominated to Oregon Senate". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  5. "Senator Jama Kayse Home Page". www.oregonlegislature.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  6. Ackerman, Ken (September 12, 2013). "Comcast Newsmakers: Kayse Jama". Comcast. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  7. Dake, Lauren. "Kayse Jama, community organizer and Somali immigrant, nominated to Oregon Senate". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  8. Jensen, Latisha (January 6, 2021). "Kayse Jama Appointed to District 24 Seat, Becoming First Muslim in the Oregon State Senate". Willamette Week. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  9. "Meet Kayse". Kayse Jama for Oregon Senate. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  10. "Kayse Jama, Executive Director, Center for Intercultural Organizing". YouTube. Comcast Newsmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  11. "OPINION M107: Connections, money shouldn't limit election choices". Portland Tribune. October 15, 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  12. Sevcenko, Melanie (February 16, 2017). "New Law Aims to Curb Profiling". The Skanner. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  13. Morrison, Erica. "Hate Crime Victims, Family Members Pressure Oregon Legislators For Change". Oregon Public Broadcasting. No. June 5, 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  14. Eschner, Kat (February 1, 2021). "The war on drugs didn't work. Oregon's plan might". Popular Science. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  15. "Committees". Oregon State Legislature. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  16. "What Is The Skidmore Prize?". Willamette Week. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  17. Martin, Cristina (November 7, 2007). "Skidmore Prize Winner Kayse Jama". Willamette Week. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  18. "Kayse Jama for Oregon Senate". Kayse Jama for Oregon Senate. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  19. "Kayse Jama awarded 18th Annual Steve Lowenstein Trust Award in Council". City of Portland. December 16, 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  20. Ford, Nate (May 31, 2012). "Refugee Activist Wins Portland Peace Prize". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  21. "Strengthening Democracy Fellows". Rockwood Leadership Institute. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  22. "David Douglas School District Board of Directors". Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  23. June, Sophia (November 5, 2016). "Adorable Portland Six-Year-Old Creates Fundraising Campaign to Make Aid Packs for Homeless People". Willamette Week. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
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