Our team of volunteers work every day to help make our community a place where
survivors can tell their stories and be met with validation, compassion, and trauma-informed support.
Our Sponsors
Anishaa Kamesh
Email Anishaa - anishaa@breakthesilence.org
Where is home for you? A mix between Charlotte, North Carolina and Minneapolis, Minnesota. My family moved to Minnesota from India when I was 18 months old and then to North Carolina when I was 8. I came back to Minnesota for college and absolutely love it. If I had to choose one it would definitely be the Twin Cities.
How did you get involved with BTS? I met Sarah Super at a panel at the University of Minnesota discussing rape culture. Until recently before I hadn't talked much about my assaults and had spent a lot of time in denial. I was inspired by Sarah's passion to support survivors and after learning more about BTS decided to participate in the photo project. It was really healing for me to be able to tell my story and be met with only support and validation.
What is your greatest skill? This one's hard. I think one of my greatest skills is my ability to remain optimistic. I kind of have the mindset that everything will work out for the best even if it is horrible at the moment. There have most definitely been times when this was really hard to believe in but I try to see what good can come out of something even if it means that a lot of work has to be put in for that outcome to even be possible.
Is there something you wish more people knew about you? I feel like I'm a pretty open person, but if it was at all possible I would spend the rest of my life traveling the world and volunteering for causes that are close to my heart. There are a lot of times where I wish I could just be a full time volunteer.
What do you appreciate most about BTS? The support and community. I am constantly amazed by the resilience and strength that surrounds me and who are always there to offer support and remind me that I am not alone.
Asma Mohammed
Email Asma - asma@breakthesilence.org
Where is home for you? Home is between Minneapolis and Chicago for me. I grew up in both, but am more loyal to the Twin Cities. :)
How did you get involved with BTS? I was inspired by Sarah Super's outreach to other survivors, and decided it was time for me to find a healing space. I've been a huge beneficiary of Sarah's leadership and was honored when she asked me to be a part of the board. I love this community.
What is your greatest skill? I'm really good at synthesizing ideas and teaching! I'm a great sounding board, and my students have taught me how to be an effective educator.
Is there something you wish more people knew about you? My dream (from a very young age) was/is to move to London, marry Fred Weasley and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts + start an affinity group for witches/wizards of color.
What do you appreciate most about BTS? I appreciate knowing and being reminded constantly that I am not alone. I appreciate learning the different ways in which we survive and become increasingly resilient. I appreciate being a part of a community that does not diminish the impact of trauma, and rather finds ways to foster healing.
Sarah Colford
Email Sarah - sarah@breakthesilence.org
Where is home for you? Big Lake, MN, However I was an implant. I grew up, my first 11 years on an air force base in ND.
How did you get involved with BTS? I heard about this amazing group when I was at a turning point in my advocacy. I had been with the same facility for 12 years (volunteer 11 years and full-time staff 1 year). I was needing to separate as it was no longer a healthy choice for me. I was lost as this cause has been a passion of mine for years. I started working with a humanitarian page that focused on Human Trafficking. I needed more. I attended a few meet ups and finally broke my silence through a truth-telling. I became aware of the need for moderators for the Facebook page and immediately knew I found my calling. The along came another opportunity of sitting on the board.
What is your greatest skill? To help others and cook.
Is there something you wish more people knew about you? I am pretty open. I am Native American.
What do you appreciate most about BTS? The amazing community and feeling like I have people to relate to.
Sarah Super
Email Sarah - ssuper@breakthesilence.org
Where is home for you? I grew up in St. Paul, but I like Minneapolis better!
How did you get involved with BTS? After I was raped, I didn't feel like I had many options for transforming my suffering into action. I entered into this work by launching a GoFundMe to create a memorial to honor survivors. Then when I realized that talking about my rape helped me and other people, I saw the potential of creating a space and platforms where survivors could speak out if they wanted to. Break the Silence started as a Facebook page that featured the faces and stories of survivors who used their real name.
What is your greatest skill? I like seeing connections between ideas and perspectives.
Is there something you wish more people knew about you? Sometimes I think people know too much about me...but I am strongly motivated by passion and doing what is right. I work for causes I want more than life itself.
What do you appreciate most about BTS? Being surrounded and inspired by courageous people who understand my suffering.