Testimonials
Ibrahim
introduces his team after the Ibrahim interviews a
prospective UB Law
UB Community Service Day - 2009
student during the UB Housing project
Diligence/Inspiration/Speaking
"Ibrahim's story needs to be known. It is simply incredible and Ibrahim's achievements are an inspiration," Karen Barbour, President, The Barbour Group, LLC.
"Congratulation to your amazing achievements! You worked hard and you deserve the glory for your outstanding engagement. Good luck on your road to peace and understanding and be blessed," Brigitte Wisler, Office of Adolf Ogi, former President of Switzerland and Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace.
"Ibrahim, that was a very inspiring speech on graduation day. We looked at each other right as you were leaving the stage... I am the son of political refugees from Cuba so your story touched me in a special way. Your story is material for writing a book someday. Keep making speeches like that where anyone will listen. Many people in this country are hungry for stories like yours. It is inspiring," Victor Chavez, Junior Accountant, Catholic Charities.
"With what you’ve learned and what you’re committed to do, you’re destined to do great things! I'm so proud of everything you've achieved. Your story is truly a testimony of what can be accomplished through hard work and sheer determination!!! Thank you for 'living the Mission' of Baltimore City Community College!" Carolane Williams, President, Baltimore City Community College.
"Congrats on the fine speech you gave at graduation, along with all of your accomplishments, IB! You are the best spokesman CS (UB Counseling Services) could ever have!" Myra Waters, Director, University of Baltimore (UB) Counseling Services.
"Congratulations on your participation in the Helen P. Denit Honors program and your presentation on 'VoIP and Its Implementation at the University of Baltimore.' We, at the Merrick School of Business, are very proud of our highly talented, motivated, and career-oriented students such as yourself," Darlene B. Smith, Dean, Merrick School of Business, UB.
"I found your presentation to be very interesting because I learned more about UB's technology and how finding the right fit is not as easy as one would think. I have a better appreciation for the IT decision making process. As an Honor Student and a totally involved student, you have given UB more than most. We have benefitted by your presence. I know you will do well and serve as a good role model for other young men who need to get out of their feeling that they can't make a difference so why even try," Judy Sabalauskas, Academic Advisor, Merrick School of Business, UB.
"I'm grateful to be on your mailing list. You obviously have your finger on the pulse of emerging trends in Maryland and beyond," Derek R. Swanson, Vice President, Strategic Services International, LLC.
"I really enjoyed your blog and interviews, thank you for sharing. Please keep in touch, your story is an inspiration," Gregory Minott, founding principal of D.R.E.A.M Collaborative.
"Ibrahim is one of the most inspiring students I have ever taught. What he has accomplished since coming to the States from Sierra Leone is remarkable. His drive, imagination, and ability to think outside the box serve as an example to us all that the American Dream is still alive and able to be fulfilled," Patrick Smithwick, chair, English department, Harford Day School, taught Ibrahim in an advanced writing honors class at the University of Baltimore.
"I visited your site and the blog. Very nice work. It has been a pleasure working with you this year," Bob Ball, MBE Outreach Consultant, Baltimore County Public Schools.
Communication/Leadership/Organizational
"As my VP of Communications, I found Dabo to be indispensable. Ibrahim was and continues to be an inspiration to the Student Events Board and his peers at the University of Baltimore. You must know he has a very enthusiastic willingness to tackle new projects with initiative. An articulate man who isn’t afraid of committing ideas to the round table; my MVP at conventions, Ibrahim will seek out new talent, form new alliances and follow-up like no one before. Ibrahim was also a critical player in establishing new UB/MICA relations, an important bond to nurture as the two universities continue to grow. I’m certain Ibrahim would be a key player on anyone’s team," Joe Johnson, former president, Student Events Board, UB.
"Ibrahim is a stellar student with tremendous leadership potential. He is action-oriented, a good communicator, and understands team dynamic. I've witnessed him working with a small team for our Student Events Board, and he is very good at communicating goals and expectations with his team members. I believe Ibrahim has a great future ahead of him and strongly recommend him!” Anthony Butler, Assistant Director of Leadership, Center for Student Involvement, UB.
"As Coordinator of the University of Baltimore’s Peer Advising Program, I have known Ibrahim for several semesters as a Peer Advisor. He was chosen on the basis of his strong academic credentials, leadership skills, people skills, and communication skills. His performance exceeded my highest expectations. Ibrahim also got results in circumstances that would have discouraged and defeated others. Two characteristics particularly stand out in my mind… One is his inclination to approach situations as a learner. I don’t know when I’ve seen someone—student or staff member—fine-tune their performance so successfully based on feedback. The other is his positive outlook. Sometimes new students can be hard to engage. Ibrahim worked with several advisees who were at first unresponsive but eventually responded to his persistence—not just a dogged, head-down sort of persistence, but an inquisitive, seeking-to-understand persistence that led him to try new approaches and his advisees to ultimately respond to him enthusiastically. I was astonished at his advisee’s turn-around," Beth Mizell, Director, Academic Resource Center, UB.
"You have demonstrated repeatedly that you have the outstanding personal and intellectual qualities to accomplish any goals which you and others set for you. I am pleased and proud to be your friend and to have been associated with you during your student days at Baltimore City Community College. Your future is filled with great expectation of which I am confident that you will reach and exceed," Richard M. Turner, III, President Emeritus, Baltimore City Community College, and Principal, Turner Executive Search Associates
"Ibrahim, what can I say. I can say that you represent what a young man can do for himself if he has that internal confidence and self respect. What has happened to you has had to be by the very nature of the person that you are. I take great pride in knowing that you are my dear friend," Stephen Antalics, Visiting Scientist, Lehigh University, PA.
"You are to be commended for your level of involvement with very worthwhile causes. You truly have demonstrated that there are no barriers to success that cannot be overcome with persistence and hard work. In addition you have shown how the term “honor” can best be manifested for organizations such as ours," James Francis, President, Sigma Iota Epsilon.
"D'Pa (the boss), you’re the most famous Sierra Leoneon I’ve ever known! I am very proud of you! I expect you to do great things around the world!" John Hill, Vice President, IT Solutions, G1440, LLC.
"I want give you congratulation on your academic success and accomplishments. I have only known you for close to a year and I can see there is something special about. You are very focused and determined to do your best and for that I am proud to say that I know you," Marcus Jackson, Customer Service Manager, BTE Technologies, Inc.
Communication/Writing
"Ibrahim is committed to education and the betterment of people's lives through communication, partnership and understanding. He is a prolific writer with always an interesting story to tell. He seeks to get at the heart of both the subject and substance of his stories. Over the past three years, I have come to know Ibrahim as honest and fair in his dealings with school, work, friends and life's experience. He is an eminent, accomplished individual in the minds of the many people he has affected," Bill Fleming, Public Relations Writer-Editor, Baltimore City Community College.
"Ibrahim's journalistic experience shows; he excels at every step of the writing process... Ibrahim exceeded my expectations once again this semester. Despite several other commitments during his final semester at UB (Spring 2009), he submitted a well-written, thoroughly researched article every month in a timely manner and made edits promptly. Even after he's gone, I intend to use Ibrahim's work as a guide for training staff writers on the proper writing style," Daniel Flanagan, Editor-In-Chief, The UB Post, UB.
"Thanks Ibrahim, please continue like this, you are doing great things for the site [www.goal.com/en]. We should also start applying the same ideas to the other Goal.com areas of interest (besides Africa)," Michael Simpson, Director, Goal.com, Milan, Italy.
"I was impressed with the material to which you referred me - very pleased for you, the Goal.com site and the issue you were highlighting. Well done. It is very encouraging that your writing is raising the profile of Goal.com so noticeably. I wish you success also in your role with the IPSD (International Platform on Sport and Development) - and in all your many other ventures," Graham Lister, Chief Editor for Goal.com English site, United Kingdom.
"Ibrahim worked as a Lead Editor for African football at Soccerage.com where I was in charge of the overall content. He was extremely knowledgeable, committed and able to provide unconventional, appealing and professional articles. I fully recommend Ibrahim as a professional and a person,” Pier Luigi Giganti, former Director of Content and UB Bureau Director, SoccerAge.com (now Goal.com).
Giving Back
"We are certainly moved by your story and impressed by the life you have made for yourself. Your desire to "give back" to those in need is inspiring," David H. Harrison, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director and U.S. office administrator, Grassroot Soccer, Inc.
"This is to acknowledge your commitment, sincerity and hard work as a team player in sports and development and all what you have been doing for our organization," Patrick Ndifon, General Coordinator, Cameroon Association of Active Youths Sport Academy for the Underprivileged
"Your mission is indeed a great one and we at the Kanu Heart Foundation wish you well in realizing your vision for Africa. As a Foundation, that helps African children receive life saving treatment for heart defects, we commend you on incorporation sport into your humanitarian work," Kanu Heart Foundation, United Kingdom.
"I think that your initiative is a noble one and one which could have realistic far reaching effect," Salorne McDonald, Behaviour Change Communications Manager, Society For Family Health, Trinidad.
“I am delighted to note your interest in getting involved in strengthening national AIDS responses with focus on Prevention especially as we are faced with strong denial due to what is believed to be ‘low prevalence’,” Leopold Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Ghana.
"I have read your profile online and am very impressed with your experience and actions," Kate Cowan, Director of International Development, International Alliance for Youth Sports, Florida, USA.
"Thank you again for your passion to help the African Child and Youth from the ills of AIDS through sport," Clement Chileshe, African Representative, International Alliance for Youth Sports, Lusaka, Zambia.
"You keep amazing me with your intellectual development each day that passes on, as if your quest for learning is unquenchable, even if all the seas were used up completely and replenished over and over again in the process, infinitely. You don't want to spare and space between your late dad and you, whose penchant for learning was extremely tremendous, and he died without accomplishing all that he aimed and intended. A great scholar, he indeed was. Already you are in great demand here and there, inviting you as a resource person in your own right to attend seminars and workshops to share your knowledge and experience with others. I wish you well in your human endeavour to contribute to the common pool of human development,"
Alieu B. Turay, retired civil servant, Sierra Leone Government.
·
About Ibrahim's Late Dad
"Your work on changing the sign-board and re-vamping our website is truly enriching our ministries," Mernie Crane, former pastor, Old Otterbein United Methodist Church, Baltimore, Maryland.
"Just want to say that I am truly glad to see a very talented young African brother doing something that is good for life and it really made me feel good to see and read your personal ad. You and all your family are truly blessing from our Heavenly Father and I pray that HE keeps you doing so well and stay healthy," Sylvester Dancy Jr., Senior IT Specialist, Department of Homeland Security, USA.
"I really enjoyed our conversation while on the plane. It's refreshing to hear such good things coming from a young person such as yourself, who is making a difference in the community (especially when it seems that all you ever hear is bad news)," Greg Reed, Equipment Mgmt. Specialist, Social Security Administration, Maryland.
Also see:
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Ibrahim's Guestbook page (on Ibrahim's unofficial Web
site)
Ibrahim doing Community Service Ibrahim
(right) at work at the Patterson
work on
the hall of the U.S.S. Park
Baltimore, during the UB
Constellation in 2008. Community Service Day
- 2008.