TESTIMONIALS
FOR SAMEER JHA & THE EMPATHY ALLIANCE
DR. VINCENT POMPEI, DIRECTOR,
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
Sameer Jha is just one of those young people that gives you hope. He will be a leader who will stand for things. He amplifies the voices of other LGBT people and helps us to better understand and support them. (June, 2018)
DANIEL MORETTI,
DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AT FRAMELINE
Sameer is one of the most reliable, enthusiastic, and intelligent students I’ve had the pleasure to collaborate with! Sameer is a Student Collaboration Team Member for the Youth in Motion program at Frameline that I oversee, and did an amazing job organizing a community film screening. Sameer also expertly moderated a filmmaker Q&A at a youth screening that had nearly 400 attendees at Frameline's annual film festival, and developed very thought provoking and timely questions that engaged the audience. I can’t recommend Sameer enough, and look forward to working together more! (Sept, 2018)
MS. AMALIA KIM,
SCHOOL COUNSELOR, HOPKINS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Sameer has been an outstanding advocate for all students, especially the LGBTQ community at Hopkins Junior High. He reached out to us as an alumnus to offer his experience, knowledge, and sincere desire to help. Because of Sameer, we now have a growing and thriving GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club, and our students are so excited and passionate about helping and educating our school community. I am extremely impressed with Sameers professional yet personable demeanor, public speaking skills, and the wealth of resources and knowledge that he can share with us. If you are wondering about where to start, do not hesitate to ask for help from Sameer! (May, 2017)
DR. RONALD HOLT,
BOARD-CERTIFIED PSYCHIATRIST, PUBLISHED AUTHOR, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SPEAKER
I first met Sameer in April 2017 at the Time To Thrive conference in Washington, DC, where he approached me on how we might collaborate on helping LGBTQ youth. Through awareness, education, and community engagement at local and national levels, I have witnessed Sameer to be the quintessential leader among youth for the LGBTQ community and beyond. Sameer's founding of the The Empathy Alliance, which helps LGBTQ youth through awareness and education, is a natural extension of who he is a leader, activist, and well rounded person. It is an honor to know and watch Sameer as he creates change in the world one person at a time. I look forward to continued collaborative interactions with him. He has my highest regards as an up and coming change maker. (June, 2017)
ROSS MURRAY,
SR. DIRECTOR GLAAD MEDIA INSTITUTE
When Sameer attended my course at the GLAAD Media Institute, his star was already rising. He has already been an outspoken advocate for acceptance and inclusion. The next day he was going to be a grand marshal in the Oakland Pride parade for his advocacy. Sameer is well spoken, organized, thoughtful, and effective. He is already changing the world for the better, and any organization or company would be lucky to have him and his skills working for you. I am excited for what else we can do together in the future. (March, 2018)
HRISHIKESH SATHAWANE,
SR MANAGER STRATEGY, WESTERN DIGITAL
EX. CO-CHAIR, TRIKONE
I met Sameer about a year ago at the Pride event in San Francisco and have been impressed by his bravery, compassion and leadership ever since. Not only he came out as the youngest person in his community but also took upon himself to make it easier and safer for all young LGBTQ+ students through his non-profit The Empathy Alliance. I have seen him interacting and speaking at various events to educate the kids, teachers and educators with great aplomb. His dedication and passion for preventing bullying on school campuses is visible in all his actions and he has accomplished a great deal already. Trikone (Nonprofit support group for LGBT South Asians) is privileged to have him as a youth ambassador and look forward to a long-term partnership as he pursues his goal of eradicating bullying from schools. (May, 2018)
ALDO M. GALLARDO,
LEAD ORGANIZER, NORCAL REGION
THE GSA NETWORK
Sameer is a committed LGBTQ youth activist. He is an active member of GSA Network's NorCal Youth Council, contributing to youth-led campaigns and advocacy to combat discrimination. A dependable and sharp young person, he leads workshops and speaks passionately about diversity and inclusion. Detail-oriented and upbeat, Sameer would make a great addition to any team. (April, 2017)
KATEY AQUILINA,
#DAY1 PROGRAM COORDINATOR
THE TYLER CLEMENTI FOUNDATION
Sameer is a bright and brilliant youth. He passionately fights for the causes he believes in and stands up for others. Through all the work I have done with him, I've found him to be reliable, enthusiastic, and trustworthy. Sameer is going places and will have a bright future advocating for human rights! (May, 2018)
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF,
CITY OF OAKLAND
I consider Sameer an integral youth leader in the Oakland LGBT community. We need more people like him to step up and make a difference in our world. (Feb, 2018)
