The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement
From Dar es Salaam to Arizona: A Journey toward Inclusion
Published: Oct 23, 2025
Country: Tanzania
Kelvin Mkude 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 Kelvin.
My name is Kelvin Mkude, a proud Tanzanian youth and passionate disability inclusion activist from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I am currently in the United States, working with the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities at the University of Arizona as part of the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement.
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Jacy Farkas, Director of the Sonoran Center, for her incredible guidance and support. She has ensured that I connect with disability professionals leading innovative projects, and get access to the resources I need to strengthen my impact back home in Tanzania through my organization, Winning Nature in Charisma, where I serve as founder and executive director.
During my time at the Sonoran Center, I’ve engaged in a variety of meaningful activities, from volunteering in art projects and sharing Tanzanian disability perspectives, to participating in both virtual and in-person meetings, and taking part in site visits for professional and cultural exchange (Figure 1).
These experiences have deeply shaped my perspective. I have come to believe that disability is an opportunity for innovation and technological advancement, and that inclusion begins with transforming mindsets.
Beyond professional growth, my stay has been full of memorable experiences. I’ve enjoyed exploring different kinds of food, hiking Mount Lemmon and “A” Mountain, and even living my dream of experiencing the cowboy culture, from my first day at Pinnacle Peak to an unforgettable horseback riding adventure (Figure 2), kindly facilitated by one of the Sonoran Center’s team members.
To my peer Professional Fellows and anyone interested in applying for the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement: Go for it. This program has the potential to open your mind, expand your network, and help you truly understand disability inclusion in practice.
While I have proudly shared Tanzania’s culture and disability perspectives with my hosts, I have also realized something profound:
When it comes to disability inclusion, the United States is living the future—and my mission is to help Tanzania move closer to it.
