SAMBA Diallo
35 | AIDS Project of Southern Vermont | Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist
Residence: Brattleboro
Career highlight(s): The career highlight I'm most proud of is: Working in our Syringe Services Program to keep serving our participants to avoid closing down that program in the beginning of the pandemic. 
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes: helping out in local medical offices, being involved with various nonprofits in Brattleboro that are doing amazing work helping community members and newcomers to Vermont.
Currently I am enjoying serving on local economic board tackling various issues such, housing, healthcare, welcoming newcomers to Vermont and finding new ways to diversify the economy of the Southern Vermont region with the goal of creating a stronger and more diverse community for all.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by: I have sister who teaches kids, my dad also thought at a local graduate school, so I always thought about how I could one day make an impact for the community or even just one person.
Favorite part of your job: Being able to interact with the clients and participants that our organization serves. I always learn something from them, and that makes the work even more rewarding.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor are my parents; their work ethic, dedication and the respect they had for every person they encountered is admirable.
What is the best career advice you have received? Treat everyone the way you'd like to be treated.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: I travel and like experiencing new cultures with an open mind, traveling for me is another way of learning.
What three words best describe you: Three words that best describe me are: Compassionate, Hardworking, Insightful.
Favorite Vermont escape: Driving up to Burlington and trying different foods.
Favorite downtime activity: It's hard to pick one thing, but I do enjoy cooking, and recently I got into hiking.
Favorite Super Hero and why: Batman, helping his city and remaining anonymous.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I'd most like to share a Vermont beverage with is Bernie Sanders; I don't talk politics with everyone but I do keep up with everything happening here and overseas.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support is definitely healthcare, that is one of the basic necessities that should be available to everyone.
What is the one song on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend? The song on my playlist I would be embarrassed to tell my best friend is: Stronger, Kelly Clarkson.
How has your community service changed since the pandemic? My community service during the pandemic has changed, though it was hard to find ways to volunteer in person, being able to virtually participate in some projects was a great way to give my time.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has changed from being more in office to now being able to do more outreach and serve more clients in different Southern Vermont counties.