The Storytellers
Jill Sherman-Warne
Jill Sherman-Warne is the Executive Director of the Native American environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC). She regularly works with 29 tribes throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Jill graduated from Humboldt State and built her respected professional reputation serving tribes in a variety of capacities from language learning, vocational rehabilitation, grant writing, environmental
planning and emergency response. Jill immerses her energy into building scalable tribal programs to increase and strengthen the tribal sovereignty. Her service as an elected Tribal Leader gives her an
intimate understanding of tribal governance and sovereignty.
Thérèse Mabulay Kamalebo
Thérèse Mabulay Kamalebo, 52 years old, is a former humanitarian worker from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a resident of Goma, an active volcanic town and the capital of North Kivu, a region rich in strategic minerals. Since January 2025, Goma has been under occupation by M-23 rebels.
As a paraplegic woman who has relied on a wheelchair for mobility for over 23 years, Mrs. Thérèse’s disability coincides with the 2002 Mount Nyiragongo volcanic eruption. Facing the immense challenge of being disabled in a war-torn environment—amid multiple mass displacements and rough roads covered in lava stone—Mrs. Thérèse Mabulay inspires hundreds of young people and individuals with various disabilities to rebuild their lives. Through the practice of Paralympic sports for social inclusion, skills training, and community awareness, she fosters resilience, self-acceptance, and a positive attitude toward disability.
Alofaeleuma Faualo
Alofaeleuma Faualo is a 21-year-old born and raised in American Samoa. He is passionate about music and advocating for people with disabilities, particularly those suffering from various conditions. Alofaeleuma is dedicated to raising awareness, offering support, and making a positive impact in the lives of individuals facing challenges. Through his journey he has learned resilience and the importance of helping others navigate their own struggles.
Blanca Angulo
Blanca Angulo is an advocate for the rights of disabled immigrants, with a special focus on the obstacles faced by blind people. She co-leads a group called “Inmigrantes con Discapacidades” (Immigrants with Disabilities) and has been volunteering since 2007. When she’s not volunteering her time, she’s donating mobility aids, clothing, and adult diapers to those in need.
Blanca serves on the Board of Access, a door-to-door transportation service for people with disabilities, and on the Board of MTA METRO, which manages the city’s bus system, working to improve services for the community. For Blanca, blindness has been an opportunity for personal growth through which she helps empower others who, for different reasons, have acquired a disability and don’t know what to do.
Patricia Ann Stukes
Patricia is a disaster researcher focused on social vulnerability, including race, gender, sexuality and class analysis. Her dissertation focused on Gay Christian Service in disaster. Patricia’s most recent paper focused on the impact of COVID-19 protocols for information sharing between the government and Tribal Epidemiologists in Canada and the U.S.
Her pedagogical research is vested in Spoken Word, Lyric Analysis & Slam Poetry as tools in the classroom. She has been a teaching instructor for twenty years in multicultural gender and women’s studies, and sociology at Texas Woman’s University. She also worked as a case worker for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for ten years.
Cassandra Lopez Fradera
Cassandra Lopez Fradera is a storyteller, Taino cultural artisan, facilitator and designer (both digital and natural) who utilizes forms of expression as ways to break barriers and carve new paths. Cassandra’s story has taken the shape of a constellation moving through multidimensional time at a pace that is in direct opposition to able-bodied capitalism. Their work is rooted in the archipelago of Boriké Puerto Rico in solidarity and respect for all life.
Taher
My name is Taher, and I am a strong advocate for my community. I recently graduated from the Public Education Team (PET) of the HEARD organization. I learned so much about how to navigate life after being released from prison. HEARD provides many resources that are essential for understanding important information and making it accessible. They also helped me through difficult times, and I couldn’t have survived without their support. This organization is vital for members of the Deaf community who face challenges similar to mine.
In addition to my advocacy work, I volunteer with the Deaf Access Service (DAS) to assist Deaf immigrants with U.S. citizenship tests. Life can be challenging for everyone, but we can make a difference in many ways. Don’t let obstacles become barriers in your life.
Audelina Agbayani
My name is Audelina Agbayani. I am deaf. I was born in the Philippines, and I immigrated to Maui about 20 years ago. I survive the Lahaina Wildfire on Aug. 8, 2023. I am passionate about cooking and doing my nails. I feel happiest when I am with my family and best friends, my roommate and see them smiling.
Jay-are Sabalo
My name is Jay-are Sabalo. I am Deaf and I communicate with ASL American Sign Language. I was born in the Philippines and moved to Hawaii at a young age. I love racing cars with stick shift cars. I like to fix and build engines and do upgrades to boost performance. I also enjoy racing it is cool and my favorite hobby. I like to work out at the gym and at my home. I enjoy chatting with my best friends and my roommate who is also deaf. I lost my home and car from Lahaina wildfire on August 8, 2023.
Portraits & Portals 