Born in Sudan, Emi and her family fled to Yemen when she was just a year old. When she was four years old, her family moved to the US. During a visit to Sudan when she was seven, Emi witnessed attacks on people who were protesting the government’s closing of schools. She launched into a journey to inspire peace in Sudan and freedom from the regime for her people. She felt equally as passionate about equality for women,

While studying at Yale University, she saw a fellow student perform poetry onstage for the first time. Inspired by what she heard, Emi also began writing poetry as a way to express her feelings about what she had witnessed in Sudan as a child.

Emi has become known for the vivid language of her poems and her dedication to uplifting others with her words of encouragement and comfort. Emi has gone on to become a world-champion slam poet and a global goodwill ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Having spent four years studying molecular biology and anthropology, she co-founded a field project to research Sickle Cell Disease in Nepal. She was also named one of BBC’s 100 Most Inspirational Women.

Emi continues to pursue her passion for science and poetry and uses both disciplines in her advocacy for peace and equality. She has made it her lifelong mission to fulfil her passion to make the world a better place.