Great Immigrant: Ghida Dagher
Born in Sierra Leone, Ghida Dagher leads New American Leaders, a nonpartisan organization that trains first- and second-generation Americans to run for public office. A new Carnegie-commissioned comic series highlights Dagher’s story and the stories of other naturalized citizens who enrich American society and strengthen our democracy
By Jongsma + O’Neill & Chuan Ming Ong
Feb 28, 2025
At the age of nine, Ghida Dagher and her family fled civil war in Sierra Leone and sought asylum in the United States. “Having moved here as a refugee and growing up in communities of low income is real life experience that I take with me,” she told the Arab American News in 2019. “I often say that it’s my immigrant experience that grounds me, but it’s my American experience that propels me.”
From an early age, Dagher was active in her community, but it wasn’t until college that she was drawn to public service work. After leading multiple political campaigns, launching policy initiatives at nonprofits, and serving as director of appointments for the State of Michigan, Dagher became involved with New American Leaders, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to training first- and second-generation Americans to run for public office. Today, she is the CEO and president of the organization.
“As a refugee and as an immigrant,” says Dagher, “there’s a sense of responsibility … to carry forward this message of inclusiveness, this message of hopefulness, this message of unity. Ultimately, all of the things that are American in my eyes.”
Every Fourth of July, Carnegie Corporation of New York celebrates the exemplary contributions of immigrants to American life, as part of its focus on reducing political polarization and strengthening democracy. To highlight their stories, the foundation has commissioned a new comic series that illustrates how naturalized citizens enrich American society.
Download Ghida Dagher’s full comic here.
* 49.5% of immigrants are naturalized U.S. citizens. (Source: Map the Impact, American Immigration Council, 2024)
Eline Jongsma and Kel O’Neill lead Jongsma + O’Neill, a nonfiction storytelling studio. They are Sundance fellows, Emmy nominees, and the creators of the immersive exhibition Loot. 10 Stories, which won the 2024 XR-History Award.
Chuan Ming Ong is a Dutch illustrator whose illustrations have appeared in publications including the New Yorker, the Los Angeles Times, and Nikkei Asia.
