Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United States

Shaikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah was appointed Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United States in 2023, becoming the first Kuwaiti woman to hold this post. In her role, she works to advance Kuwait’s strategic partnership with the United States, strengthen cooperation on regional security and economic growth, and expand cultural and educational exchange.

A pioneering social entrepreneur, Ambassador Al-Zain brings to diplomacy the same innovative spirit and executive leadership that have defined her career. She is the founder of the National Creative Industries Group (NCIG). Under her leadership, NCIG became a hub for global partnerships, producing diverse content that elevated regional voices and fostered inclusion across borders.

 In public service, she served as Kuwait’s Undersecretary of State for Youth Affairs, where she led the drafting of the nation’s first National Youth Policy and launched an accelerator to support the country’s emerging entrepreneurship community. Her initiatives helped earn Kuwait the designation of “Youth Capital of the Middle East” by the Arab League.

Her leadership has been recognized internationally with awards including the Leadership Medal for Excellence in Youth and Public Service, the Arab Woman Award for Inspirational Woman of the Year, and Boston University’s Distinguished Alumni Award. She also serves on several international boards, including Boston University’s College of Communication, Equality Now, and the 10 Arts Foundation at the New York Film Academy.

A MELI fellow at the Aspen Institute, Ambassador Al-Zain holds a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University and an M.F.A. from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Today, she draws on her background in media, entrepreneurship, strategic management, and youth empowerment to represent Kuwait in Washington, building bridges of dialogue, cooperation, and shared opportunity between the peoples of Kuwait and the United States.

Vice Chair, Kuwait-America Foundation

As co-founder and Vice Chair of the Kuwait-America Foundation, Fawzi Al-Sultan has long been a bridge between nations, a champion of humanitarian causes, and a driving force behind the Foundation’s mission.

Since its founding in 1991, the Kuwait-America Foundation has remained committed to partnering with and supporting individuals, communities, and organizations dedicated to co-creating a stronger future where human potential is advanced and intercultural relationships thrive.

Under his stewardship, the Foundation has strengthened ties between Kuwait and the United States, and made measurable contributions to causes that matter—from education and nonviolence to refugee support and disaster relief.

With a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, including his former roles as President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome, a chairman of the board of trustees of the International Food policy Research Institute and Executive Director at the World Bank in Washington, DC, Mr. Al-Sultan brings a global perspective and profound sense of purpose to everything he does - including his deep love of sailing.

DC Attorney General

Brian L. Schwalb has committed his legal career to using the law in service of others, advocating for what matters most to the people and organizations he represents. As the District of Columbia's second independent elected attorney general, Brian is committed to fighting for D.C., District residents and District autonomy, to advancing the public interest, and to ensuring that the law works to make the District safer, healthier, and more equitable for all who live, visit and work here.

Brian is a third-generation Washingtonian. After graduating from Duke University and Harvard Law School, and completing a two-year judicial clerkship, Brian served as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice. After completing his service with the Justice Department, Brian entered private practice representing clients – individuals, businesses, nonprofits and families — in a multitude of high stakes matters including advocating for people injured by excessive, unconstitutional police force, defrauded out of their assets, and fighting for their lives on death row. 

Before being elected Attorney General, Brian was an experienced law firm leader, having served as Venable’s firm-wide Vice Chairman and as the Partner-in-Charge of Venable’s D.C. office. Among other professional recognitions, Brian is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Senior Counsel at Kasowitz LLP

The Hon. Clarine Nardi Riddle is Chair of the Kasowitz, LLP Government Affairs and Strategic Counsel Practice Group and former United States Senate Chief of Staff to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman. Ms. Riddle served as the first female state Attorney General of Connecticut. In addition, she served as a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court, Connecticut’s highest trial court of general jurisdiction, and Special Counsel to Senator Lieberman when he was the Connecticut State Senate Majority Leader. She received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Saint Joseph College, Hartford, Connecticut.

Clarine has been named a Government Relations Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. Additionally, the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General established The Clarine Nardi Riddle Award for Outstanding Leadership. Clarine was awarded a 2020 Women, Influence & Power in Law Award for Lifetime Achievement by Corporate Counsel. She received the 2023 Francis X. Bellotti Award by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).

She serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law Center for Constitutional Democracy. She is also Vice Chairman and on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Center for Excellence in Education and is Co-Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for Do the Write Thing. She is also a Board member of No Labels and the Hidden Light Institute.

Journalist, Cartoonist, & Graphic Novelist

She is the author of "I Was Their American Dream," a graphic memoir published in 2019 about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American, which won an Arab American Book Award in 2020. In 2022, she published "It Won't Always Be Like This," a graphic memoir about her summers in the Middle East, which was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.

Her comics, zines and writing have been published in the Los Angeles Times, Catapult, The Believer Magazine, The Nib, The Margins and The New Yorker. She has been profiled in The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Her comics and zines are archived at the Smithsonian Institution, the New York Public Library, the Arab American Museum and Barnard College’s Zine Library. Her art and writing have been exhibited at the Fantagraphics Books, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Harvard Radcliffe Institute and Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery.

She has spoken at the Filipino American International Book Festival, the Emirates Literature Festival, The Muse and the Marketplace, Unbound Book Festival, the Massachusetts Independent Comics Festival, Short Run Comix Festival and The Small Press Expo. She has led zine workshops at institutions such as Weill Cornell Medicine, Vanderbilt University, University of California, Riverside, San Diego State University, George Washington University and more.

By day, she is an editor at NPR. She lives in Nashville, Tenn., with her husband, son and Shiba Inu.

Founder of Habeebah Rasheed Grimes LLC

Habeebah Rasheed Grimes is a visionary, heart-centered leader and nationally recognized voice on trauma-informed care, youth mental health, and human services leadership. With over 25 years of experience advancing healing and equity for marginalized youth and families, she is the founder and principal consultant of Habeebah Rasheed Grimes LLC, where she guides individuals and organizations in adopting trauma-informed, healing-centered, and liberatory practices.

Habeebah previously served as CEO of Positive Education Program (PEP), one of Ohio’s largest mental health agencies for children. There, she led a staff of 400 and championed equitable care, staff well-being, and organizational excellence.

Her contributions have earned her numerous honors, including Crain’s Cleveland Woman of Note (2022), the Urban League of Greater Cleveland Education Champion Award (2023), the Bruce D. Perry Spirit of the Child Award (2024), and the NAACP Cleveland Community Leadership Award (2025). She is also an alumna of Leadership Cleveland and a graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Ladder of Leadership program.

Habeebah is the creator and host of No Crystal Stair Podcast, a platform that uplifts the voices of Black mothers raising sons, affirming the power of storytelling i the pursuit of healing and justice.

Judge

Judge Antonia “Toni” Arteaga is a lifelong public servant with nearly two decades of judicial experience. In 2008, she made history as the first woman elected to the 57th District Court in Bexar County – a court established more than a century ago.

Now in her fifth term, Judge Arteaga has presided over hundreds of complex civil cases, earning a reputation for fairness, preparedness, and respect for the law. Her experience extends far beyond the bench. She has served in leadership roles throughout the legal community, including:

• Past President of the Texas Association of District Judges

• President and Founding Member of Texas Latinx Judges

• Bexar County Chair, National Association of Women Judges

Judge Arteaga is a frequent speaker, educator, and mentor. Her commitment to fairness and equity has earned her numerous recognitions, including being named a “Texas Gold Medal Judge” and receiving Mentor of the Year honors from St. Mary’s University School of Law Hispanic Law Alumni Association.

Raised in a small close-knit West Texas town as the youngest of eight daughters, Toni understands the value of hard work, education, and service. Now that her children are grown and attending college, she is stepping forward to continue that service on a broader scale – as your next Chief Justice of the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals.

Minister; 2017 DtWT Alumnus

Hailing from the vibrant city of Jackson, Tennessee, Minister Jah'Karious Nkosi Conley embodies an unwavering commitment to his faith. He proudly stands as the son of Ms. Moranda Yancy and Mr. Jameel Conley, a testament to his roots and upbringing. Minister Conley's journey in ministry ignited at an early age within the welcoming walls of Community COGIC in Maury City, TN, under the guidance of Pastor Ewell Jelks Jr. Remarkably, at just 7 years old, he delivered his inaugural sermon, marking the start of his lifelong dedication. Educated in both the Bells Public School System and Madison County School District, Minister Conley emerged as an honors graduate from Madison Academic Magnet High School in Jackson, TN, class of 2021.

Recently, Minister Conley graduated cum laude from the renowned Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. His leadership shined brightly as he took on roles such as Morehouse College Pre-Alumni Council President, inaugural Chaplain of the Morehouse College Police Department, Social Justice Scholar, and Martin Luther King Scholar. Furthering his influence, Minister Conley served as the Immediate Past President of the National Pre-Alumni Council and contributes as Youth Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church – Summerhill and Campbellton Campus. In a defining moment, he served as the Pastoral Intern at Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, summer of 2024. In this role, he spearheaded a summer intensive work program for youth at the church. Notable achievements include but are not limited to leading weekly prayer, teaching youth Vacation Bible School, and leading new members class.

Minister Conley's pursuit of enlightenment is evident through his commitment to continuous learning and growth. Currently, Minister Conley is obtaining his Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work degrees at Boston University School of Theology, leveraging his passion to address the issues faced by marginalized communities and the complex relationship with clinicians. His mission is to ensure individuals of color receive the necessary support to thrive in every aspect of life, fostering prosperity and well-being.

A true beacon of inspiration, Minister Conley's message resonates deeply:

"The righteous have not been forsaken." With his impactful presence, he stands as a steadfast reminder of faith, hope, and unwavering devotion. I present to some and introduce to others, Minister Jah’Karious Nkosi Conley.

Chair: Dallas, TX

Dr. Robert Tinajero is Associate Professor of English and Rhetoric at the University of North Texas at Dallas. He has degrees in English, Religious Studies, Creative Writing, and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing Studies. His research interests include composition studies, Hip Hop rhetoric, and race studies. He is also a poet with three published books. He loves spending time with his family and friends, watching and playing sports, and writing.

Lisa started working with Do the Write Thing (DtWT) in 2009, quickly embracing the wide-ranging responsibilities of a small non-profit. From organizing the National Recognition Summits to attending local recognition events in many DtWT cities, she found great fulfillment, especially as she worked alongside dedicated chairs and coordinators who inspired her with their compassion for youth.

A lifelong volunteer, Lisa has held a leadership role in the children’s, young women’s and the adult women’s organization in her church. She continues to devote time to serving needs in her church. Her commitment to service also extends beyond her congregation, including work with Interfaith Works, Congregation Beth El, Nourish Bethesda, Boys and Girls Club, and Capital Area Food Bank.

In April 2025, Lisa formally retired from DtWT to focus more fully on her six children, their spouses and nine beloved grandchildren. As this next chapter unfolds, she looks forward to traveling with her husband, continuing her passion for real estate remodeling, and joyfully showing up for as many family events, performances, and games as possible.

Maestro the Cellist

Mark Evans Jr, also known as Maestro The Cellist, is a professional cellist, composer, and esteemed music educator based in the Washington DC metropolitan area blending years of classical training with soulful, contemporary sounds. He is a GMU Alum with a degree in String Pedagogy, and was recently named Artist of the Year, and received Best Musical Performance, as well as The People’s Choice Award at the Richmond International Film & Music Festival.

Maestro’s music transcends traditional boundaries as he fuses traditional musical elements with modern storytelling creating an innovative and dynamic body of work that resonates with a diverse audience, bridging generational and cultural gaps through a universal language of music. You can listen to his debut single ‘Elevation’ and all his other original works across all streaming platforms.