Community Navigators
The Community Navigators aim to create a welcoming environment in the Student Center for Belonging and Community that supports the academic and personal development of BIPOC, first-generation to college and LGBTQ+ students. Community Navigators collaborative engage and work with all students who access the Center in building an inclusive campus community.
Community Navigators, 2024 – 2025
Amara Ogbonna (she/her)
Class of 2026
Major(s): Biochemistry
Minor(s): Dance
About Amara
My name is Amara and I am from Zimbabwe.
I enjoy dancing, listening to all kinds of music, and occasionally knitting.
Aaron Martinez (he/him)
Class of 2026
Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): Theatre/Dance
About Aaron
Hi everyone! I’m Aaron and I am a first-generation student from Brooklyn, NY.
I am passionate about Social Justice and enjoy listening to Neo-Soul, old R&B and Reggae music.
Sakina Saidi (she/her)
Class of 2026
Major(s): Math and Physics (Civil Engineering)
About Sakina
Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan
I like to travel, do photography, and create art, including but not limited to: drawing, henna, applying makeup, styling hair, and designing clothes).
Activities/accomplishments:
- Created the first wall of kindness in Afghanistan (featured in the New York Times)
- Captained the Lighting Ladies futsal team for two years
- Started a women’s cafe in Kabul
- Co-founded three summer programs in three different provinces in Afghanistan
- Completed three semesters of business in AUAF and a short term in Bard College before coming to Bates
- Worked with Al-Jazeera on a documentary.
Leah Berhanu (she/her)
Class of 2027
Major(s): Undeclared but considering Neuroscience
About Leah
Hi everyone!
I’m Leah and I am from Cambridge, MA. I am passionate about equity and access within education.
Chidera Kalu-Uka (she/her)
Class of 2027
Major(s): Undeclared but considering Biochemistry and Sociology
Minor(s): Education
About Chidera
My name is Chidera Kalu-Uka (she/her) and I am originally from Nigeria but I live in Katy, Texas.
I am a Bonner Leader and a member of the CSB committee and Africana board.
In my personal life, I enjoy dancing and listening to Afrobeat and rap music.
Marcus Davis (he/him)
Class of 2027
Major(s): Undeclared but considering Rhetoric
About Marcus
I am from Newton, Massachusetts, or J.O.B. (just outside Boston).
I am a member of the Bates football team. I’m still exploring my academic options, but I like to argue intellectual and social topics, so I’m considering Rhetoric.
While in high school, I was a President of my school’s Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC), where we created programs that addressed issues of equity, access, anti-racism, education, and helped foster a sense of belonging for students of color.
In addition to my long-standing interests in social justice issues, other interesting facts about me include, but not limited to:
- both my parents are Bates alums
- I have a Black Belt in Karate
- I love playing video games
Rahil Mecca (he/him)
Class of 2027
Major(s): Economics and Philosophy
About Rahil
Hi, my name is Rahil Mecca and I’m from Chennai, India.
I love football, Polo, and volleyball!