Belise Nishimwe
“As a refugee-immigrant, BIPOC youth, I am always searching for different venues that people like me can have to share their story and be heard. Being a youth roving reporter with All Classical Portland I am able to accomplish this goal. I am elated to have this opportunity and to share with Portland the amazing stories and accomplishments of people (specifically youth) within the community.”
Belise Nishimwe is a senior at St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon. She is extremely passionate about: social justice, international relations, politics, and law especially as it pertains to immigrants and their rights. Nishimwe was born and lived in a refugee camp in Tanzania until the age of five, when she and her family moved to America through Catholic Charities. Now a U.S. citizen, she has dedicated herself to being someone who can create a platform that gives a voice to immigrants and refugees, as well as the representation they need. She is a co-captain of her school’s varsity mock trial team and a Black Student Union leader. She serves as the current President for a youth-led nonprofit called “Youth Ending Slavery”. She also enjoys writing poetry and exploring other artistic venues. She was the 2019 Poetry Out Loud State Champion and received the 2019 Pamplin Media Group Amazing Kids Award. For the future, she dreams of interning for a law firm or for a political office. She plans on strengthening her abilities as a leader and as an activist, so she can be a voice that defends those who have been silenced.
