Finding My Place in the Fellowship

Published: Oct 22, 2025

Country: Uganda

Zerida Namponye is a 2025 Fellow in the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement. This program is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston in partnership with the African Disability Forum (ADF). The following blog post was written by guest author Zerida.

This past week at University of California – Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Tarjan Center has been a whirlwind of learning, connection, and discovery. From sitting in on trainings to engaging with leaders in disability rights, each day has brought something new to reflect on and take back home with me.

One of the highlights was attending a panel discussion with Democratic Rights California, where I met passionate disability rights leaders who spoke with such fire about their work. Their energy reminded me why inclusive civic engagement is so critical: The voices of people with disabilities must be at the center of conversations that shape their lives. There truly can’t be a conversation about us without us. I have carried that lesson with me into therapy group sessions I’ve observed in various settings, such as where parents were being trained to practice social skills with their little ones or where the children themselves were being taught skills to help them be more independent. Watching these moments of knowledge-sharing has been a reminder that inclusion begins in the everyday: with families, classrooms, and communities.

I’ve also had the privilege of listening in on several stakeholder planning meetings and even a board meeting, which gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how programs are structured and decisions are made. A favorite moment for me was sitting down with Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, director of the Tarjan Center, whose work and sheer audacity in the space are inspiring. She is a powerhouse of ideas and experience, and our conversation left me energized. Dr. Jasper Estabillo, director of training at the Tarjan Center and my host mentor, has also been such a generous guide, taking time to show me around Los Angeles and making sure I feel at home in this new environment (Figure 1).

Two women smile at the camera while taking a selfie. — Figure 1: Coffee and mentorship with my host mentor Dr. Jasper Estabillo (left). Her guidance and generosity have made navigating Los Angeles and this Fellowship so much richer.

Another moment that truly moved me was meeting Vanessa Ochoa, special advisor for strategic partnerships and community engagement at Disability Rights California (DRC) and my host co-mentor (Figure 2). She is warm, deeply committed, and connects so genuinely with people in her work. I also had the chance to see Andy Imparato, the Chief Executive Officer of DRC, in action over the weekend. What impressed me most was that even with his title, he moderated panels and presided over the lunch and dinner events (as the emcee) all weekend. He also took time to sit with me and Rajab, a peer Professional Fellow, asked who else we wanted to meet, and then followed through. That humility spoke volumes about the culture of leadership at DRC. Where do you find such leaders?

Two women standing next to each other with a sunset behind them — Figure 2: With my host co-mentor, Vanessa Ochoa (left), during the DRC Board Meeting weekend in Redondo Beach. Her warmth and leadership truly inspired me.

Spending time with organizations like Momentum has been equally eye-opening. I’ve seen firsthand how programs here integrate tools that directly support children’s growth. I got the idea to use rocking chairs and bouncy balls during circle time, or fidget toys to ease transitions. These are small but powerful adjustments I’m excited to incorporate into my own early intervention program back in Uganda. Over the last two weeks, I’ve really been reminded that while systems can’t always prevent disability, we can design environments that support everyone to thrive.

Beyond the work, this Fellowship has also given me rich cultural experiences. I visited the Hammer Museum and spent an afternoon immersed in the beauty of Japanese woodblock prints. The exhibit was a fascinating journey through history, art, and storytelling. And then, in a completely different kind of adventure, I found myself riding in a Waymo (a driverless car)! The Tarjan Center team booked it as a surprise, and I don’t remember the last time I felt so giddy.

If I had to choose a favorite memory so far, it would be the first day of orientation at UCLA. Everything came together in small but meaningful ways: lunch at the museum with Diana, a walk through the botanical garden with Mateen (both colleagues from the UCLA Tarjan Center), meeting Dr. Laugeson and feeling her warmth, and a welcome dinner with the whole team (Figure 3). The evening ended with the Waymo ride, and I couldn’t help but think what a special way to be welcomed into this new chapter.

Six people sit outdoors at a table having lunch, smiling at the camera. — Figure 3: Having lunch with the Tarjan Center team.

This journey has already shown me so many new ways that inclusion can be nurtured through action, systems, and everyday choices. I’m excited to continue learning and to carry these lessons back home, where I hope to make small but lasting changes in my own community (Figure 4).

A woman stands next to a statue of a man, touching his shoe — Figure 4: Following the Harvard University tradition, touching the statue’s shoe is said to bring good luck and a chance to return as a student.