Born to an urban planner and a social worker, I learned the community and cultural implications of words such as “gentrification” and "cognitive disabilities” at a young age. Growing up in a community of immigrants on the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts, diversity of language, nationality, religion, and culture was the norm, and I took for granted that my peers, friends, and mentors were multilingual, grew up with different customs, foods, and cultural traditions, and had family living in countries around the world. My late cousin and mentor marched with, and was imprisoned alongside, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the deep rooted values of racial equality and social justice frame my outlook and my life’s work.
Kaua`i, Hawai`i: Despite my haole status, my loving hoaloha soon became my ohana, and showed me the true meaning of pono and the aloha spirit.
Djerba, Tunisia: Rich in beauty, flavor, and culture, the island of Djerba gave me a glimpse of the an ideal community—the harmony and love of learning reaped from the centuries-old symbiotic coexistence of diverse cultures.
Monhegan Island, Maine: the epitome of peace, relaxation, and environmentalism, this island is where I learned to love drawing, hiking, and appreciating the splendid beauty of a sunset.
Cuernavaca, México: La primera vez que experimenté la inmersión completa en la belleza y riqueza del idioma español.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina: A truly “priceless gem,” Carolina transformed me. Forever a tarheel!
Firenze, Italia: Living next door to the Duomo, I was infused with a lifelong passion for art and cooking
Santiago, Chile: Siempre sentiré una conexión profunda para esta ciudad y mi familia chilena que me acogía con mucho cariño a su casa y a sus vidas.
Everyone a Changemaker world
Amelia Forrest Kaye is a Senior Projects and Learning Manager of Ashoka’s Changemakers, an online community that “open sources” innovative solutions to entrenched problems worldwide and builds communities of action to support them. Her work focuses on the planning, design, and implementation of collaborative competitions and knowledge frameworks.
A social activist at heart, Amelia has experience in the business, non-profit, academic, and policy sectors centering around efforts to empower marginalized populations towards a just society. Prior to Changemakers, Amelia worked at Global Policy Solutions, where she conducted program development and strategic planning in the fields of education, urban planning, and public health.
As a Congressional Hunger Fellow, Amelia moved to Kaua`i, Hawai`i, where she developed a culturally-sensitive disaster preparedness initiative for Kaua`i's aged and disabled population. Her work also involved case management to low-income clients of Kaua`i Economic Opportunity, Inc (KEO), and implementing improvements to KEO's Meals on Wheels and Congregate Dining programs.
Upon her return to the east coast, Amelia continued her policy work at RESULTS, where she led their "Health Care for All" campaign and co-founded a Diversity Task force that reports to the RESULTS Executive Board.
Originally from Boston, Amelia graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. She served as co-president of a mentoring organization, vice-president of a race-relations committee, representative on the library's Board of Directors, and director and actor in several social justice performances.
Amelia has conducted public policy research in Santiago, Chile and has worked with a non-profit environmental advocacy group, on a presidential campaign, at an experiential education camp, and on a sustainable development initiative in Tunisia.
Amelia’s other passions include Latin American, Middle Eastern, and West African dance, travel, cooking, water sports, and theater.
