Youth ambassador and Promise scholar uses poetry to cope with childhood adversity
Youth ambassador and Promise scholar uses poetry to cope with childhood adversity
Feb. 14, 2020
Forced to deal with unexpected adversity as a teenager, first-year Community College
of Rhode Island student Halima Ibrahim found an outlet through poetry, using her words
to express what she didn’t always have the strength to say out loud.
Now the 17-year-old East Greenwich resident and Rhode Island Promise scholar is teaching
others the power of the written word as the state’s new Youth Poetry Ambassador.
Appointed through the Rhode Island Center for the Book’s Youth Poetry Initiative,
Ibrahim is only the third such ambassador in the state’s history, tasked with helping
others who’ve walked in her shoes become more comfortable with themselves and their
voices through poetry.
The concept is familiar to Ibrahim, whose bouts with Lyme disease and chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) from high school through now elicit a range of
emotions she still sometimes struggles to process. She began writing in eighth grade
and hasn’t stopped yet. As a Muslim who lived in her father’s homeland of Egypt during
the Arab Spring protests, poetry has also fueled Ibrahim’s passion for activism. Her
work covers a variety of topics from illness and gun violence to race and Islamophobia.
“Poetry is therapy, but it’s also education,” Ibrahim said. “It keeps my brain working
and allows me to get my emotions out.”
Ibrahim’s winding journey has led her to CCRI, where she is currently enrolled as
a Promise scholar studying Fine Arts with the ultimate dream of earning her PhD in
Art History.
In addition to her role as the state’s Youth Poetry Ambassador, she is also active
within the March for our Lives Rhode Island movement as one of its founding members,
the RI Womxn’s Action Initiative – formerly the RI Chapter of the Women's March on
Washington – and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence. Poetry is the backbone
of her activism; in 2018, she performed her poem, “Wake Up,” in front of a crowd of
more than 7,000 at the March for Our Lives rally at the State House. Since then, she
has become a respected voice among youth activists within the community, sharing profound,
thought-provoking poems at various rallies.
Having experienced racism – and even gun violence – first-hand, Ibrahim’s words reflect
her life experiences, and her passion for poetry, coupled with her ability to relate
to young teenagers, made her a logical choice to become the state’s youth ambassador.
“With poetry, I’ve been able to make people listen to things that people don’t necessarily
want to listen to,” Ibrahim said. “Teens have ideas and topics they’re not always
comfortable talking about because they don’t think they’re going to be listened to.
They don’t think their voice is important enough. Poetry is a good way to get people
to listen and also help them develop their voices to gain more confidence.
“My biggest goal is to make sure young teenagers know their voices.”
Ibrahim’s transition from a shy, withdrawn teenager to an outspoken youth advocate
began within the confines of her home while struggling with an illness that eventually
forced her to withdraw from high school.
The symptoms began in middle school when she had trouble concentrating on assignments
and moving her legs in class. Her parents tried homeschooling, but her conditions
worsened, often leaving her bedridden for days – sometimes months – at a time. Adverse
effects from her medication, primarily spinal fluid buildup, further sidetracked her
education. Forced to use crutches for long stretches at a time, Ibrahim kept herself
sharp by reading books and writing poetry. When her symptoms finally subsided, albeit
temporarily, in early 2019, she decided to focus on completing her GED with the intention
of enrolling at CCRI as a Promise scholar.
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” she said.
Ibrahim is now living her dream of attending college, which would not have been possible
without Rhode Island Promise. Three days after completing her final GED exam, Ibrahim
began her first semester at CCRI. With help from the college’s Disability Services
for Students (DSS) office, she missed only three days in the fall due and finished
with a 3.94 GPA. Weekly infusions of IVIG, or immunoglobulins, through a port-a-cath
help heal her nervous system and allow her to focus in the classroom.
She hopes others will have the same opportunity to attend college and continue their
education through the Promise scholarship.
“It needs to become a more widely-accepted option,” Ibrahim said. “I don’t like to
think about ‘What Ifs,’ but I’m thankful for Rhode Island Promise. This was meant
to be. I still wake up some days unable to walk, and I still have crutches, but my
professors are understanding and Disability Services has been wonderful. I’m receiving
a quality education at CCRI and it should be a viable option for everyone.”
Michael Marrapodi has joined CCRI as the new Executive Director of Online Learning. He has been involved with education since teaching music at a private school during his senior year of college in 1976 and is now an innovative leader in the online learning sector.
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A Providence, RI, native, and Community College of Rhode Island Class of 2011 alumna, Flavia A. Albert, M.A., is on the verge of releasing her first children's book next month to combine her passion for behavioral health and early childhood development with her love for storytelling.
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The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.
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The Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships has won the 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award for its work in developing free training programs to help upskill more than 50 employees through online trainings and in-person courses at PACE’s East Providence, RI, headquarters and CCRI’s Providence Campus.
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Beginning today, the CCRI Players launch a four-day run of John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt: A Parable, produced by CCRI Performing Arts Professor Luke Sutherland and scheduled for five performances at the college’s Providence Campus Auditorium. Showtimes are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday with 2 pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
Michael Marrapodi has joined CCRI as the new Executive Director of Online Learning. He has been involved with education since teaching music at a private school during his senior year of college in 1976 and is now an innovative leader in the online learning sector.
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Eighteen-year-old Rhode Island Promise scholar and Warwick, RI, resident Lucas Johnson revived an old family tradition this past summer with Sandwich Party Sundays – a unique opportunity to spread joy and good cheer to Providence's homeless population each weekend at Kennedy Plaza.
A Providence, RI, native, and Community College of Rhode Island Class of 2011 alumna, Flavia A. Albert, M.A., is on the verge of releasing her first children's book next month to combine her passion for behavioral health and early childhood development with her love for storytelling.
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March 31, 2025
The CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic’s upcoming Sealant and Fluoride Community Day on Friday, April 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Lincoln Campus will provide free dental sealants and fluoride treatments for children and teens ages 6 to 17. The event will be led by CCRI’s dental hygiene students, who will provide preventative care under the supervision of licensed professionals.
Lucas Johnson Named Rhode Island's 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar
March 17, 2025
Warwick, RI- Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) student and Warwick resident, Lucas Johnson, has been named a 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.
Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship
March 07, 2025
NEWPORT, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) today announced the launch of an associate in arts degree in Culinary Craftsmanship on CCRI’s Newport Campus in fall 2025. To support this initiative, Governor McKee is proposing $850,000 to create a Culinary and Hospitality hub at CCRI’s Newport Campus. The hub will serve as a state-of-the-art learning environment designed to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals in Rhode Island’s workforce.
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March 05, 2025
For students like Esther Duran, of Providence, Wanda Wrobleski, of Cumberland, and Richard Garcia, of Providence, the journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare has been transformed thanks to the Community College of Rhode Island and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Funded by a $75,000 grant from the legendary rock band’s foundation, All Within My Hands, this initiative provides financial support to students enrolled in CCRI’s Medical Assistant and Patient Support Specialist workforce training programs—helping to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their education and career goals.
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March 05, 2025
Warwick, RI- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Women’s Basketball teamshowcased their dominance once again in the NJCAA Region XXI Conference, securing the regional title for the fourth year in a row and, punching their ticket to the National Tournament.
WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Players continue their 2024–25 season with a bold and thought-provoking production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, running March 6–9 at the Bobby Hackett Theatre on CCRI's Knight Campus.
The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.
February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country; a time to acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history; and a time to walk alongside today’s Black leaders as they lead the work to create a truly anti-racist, inclusive community for all.
The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Fall 2024 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher this semester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.
World Languages student and Rhode Island native wins fifth Emmy Award for film-editing technology
December 13, 2024
Cranston, RI, native Thomas Ohanian, a World Languages & Cultures student completing his independent study, recently won his fifth Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award for co-inventing the Avid Multicamera System, a technology that has revolutionized the film-making and editing industry.
College's Division of Workforce Partnerships earns 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award
December 12, 2024
The Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships has won the 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award for its work in developing free training programs to help upskill more than 50 employees through online trainings and in-person courses at PACE’s East Providence, RI, headquarters and CCRI’s Providence Campus.
CCRI Players tackle themes of doubt and uncertainty with final production of fall semester
December 12, 2024
Beginning today, the CCRI Players launch a four-day run of John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt: A Parable, produced by CCRI Performing Arts Professor Luke Sutherland and scheduled for five performances at the college’s Providence Campus Auditorium. Showtimes are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday with 2 pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
Michael Marrapodi has joined CCRI as the new Executive Director of Online Learning. He has been involved with education since teaching music at a private school during his senior year of college in 1976 and is now an innovative leader in the online learning sector.
Second-year Biology student, PTK scholar helps feed the homeless one sandwich at a time
November 26, 2024
Eighteen-year-old Rhode Island Promise scholar and Warwick, RI, resident Lucas Johnson revived an old family tradition this past summer with Sandwich Party Sundays – a unique opportunity to spread joy and good cheer to Providence's homeless population each weekend at Kennedy Plaza.
A Providence, RI, native, and Community College of Rhode Island Class of 2011 alumna, Flavia A. Albert, M.A., is on the verge of releasing her first children's book next month to combine her passion for behavioral health and early childhood development with her love for storytelling.
Feb. 14, 2020
