Kotumu Kamara

Email: kotumuk@gmail.com

Kotumu is devoted to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and she is passionate about helping others to learn. Working as an English Language learners’ instructor at Blind incorporated for the past seven years has been one of her greatest joys. Kotumu was born in Liberia and grew up in Guinea West Africa. She moved to Minnesota in 2003. Upon her arrival to the United States, she attended Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc., and has been involved in the NFB since 2003. The training she received from Blind, Inc., was a stepping stone to improving her academic, career, and personal journey in the United States. Kotumu earned her GED from the Lehman Adult Education Center; from the University of Minnesota, she graduated with a Bachelor of Art in International Studies and a Minor in social justice as well as obtained a Master of Education in Human Resource Development. Because of her passion for working with immigrants and other minority groups, between her Bachelor and master’s studies, Kotumu worked with Minnesota Freedom Network as a DREAM COACH VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR. To promote The Dream Act, she facilitated discussions at various high schools to educate immigrant students about the importance of higher education, the DREAM ACT and its background and requirements. The work she did with Minnesota Freedom Network encouraged her to earn a certificate in Equity and Diversity, and in Adult Education from the University of Minnesota respectively. Kotumu has served as the chair of State Services for the Blind Minority Outreach Committee, Secretary of the Board of BLIND Incorporated, and a board of Directors for the Federation of Liberian Mandingos in the United States. Including the Federation of Liberian Mandingos in the United States, she is an active member of the Minnesota Mandingo Association (MMA). In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, listening to music, shopping, spending time with family and friends, as well as attending cultural and religious gatherings in her community and mosques with her family.