New Executive Director Tapped to Lead Organization Toward Stability and Growth
Samia’s journey is a testament to resilience, community, and purpose. As a first-generation Eritrean-American, her roots are deeply entrenched in the experiences of her mother and grandmother, who fled Eritrea's civil war to begin anew in San Francisco. The City, where Samia was born and raised, gave her invaluable lessons about the role of community and the power of belonging rooted in racial and economic justice.
Raised in a community where every elder was lovingly referred to as an auntie or an uncle, Samia was surrounded by warmth and care. However, alongside this love, she was also confronted with the harsh realities of racism and injustice. This was particularly evident in the challenged young people faced in accessing education and striving to build economic empowerment. The challenges did not deter her but instead provided her fuel to pursue a career focused on building a more racially and socially just world.
Samia's commitment to creating equitable access for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and AAPI youth is unwavering. As an avid softball pitcher in school, she learned the value of teamwork, collaboration, and cheering others to success. Her prior work at Code2040, aimed at promoting racial equity within the tech industry, paved the way for her current role at Hack the Hood. Since 2021, she has been at the forefront of our organization’s Programs and Partnerships, stepping into the interim executive director role twice, steering the nonprofit toward an era of remarkable growth.
These experiences profoundly shape Samia's nonprofit leadership. These attributes are central to how she leads, working to create more inclusive environments. Her commitment to the community is further exemplified by her role with the Equity Advisory Committee for BART's Link 21 Project and Board Leadership and volunteerism at Boost! West Oakland.
Join us in welcoming Samia to her new role! Click here to send Samia well wishes.
Interview
We sat down with Samia to learn more about her and her vision for Hack the Hood. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Tell us about your background and what led you to join Hack the Hood.
Before joining Hack the Hood, I worked at Code2040, a nonprofit organization in San Francisco that promotes racial equity in the tech industry. Our mission was to help Black and Latinx technologists succeed in our region’s tech economy. I’ve led Hack the Hood’s Programs and Partnerships since 2021, serving as interim executive director twice.
As a first-generation Eritrean American, I developed a deep passion for creating equitable access and economic mobility for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. As a native of San Francisco, my upbringing played a significant role in shaping my passion. I witnessed my neighbors and friends come together to empower and support one another through hard times, but I also saw how some of the most creative and intelligent people were being left out of the booming tech sector just down the street. This contrast fueled my passion for my current work, rooted in my commitment to racial justice.
Tell us about your personal why.
As I said, I am a first-generation Eritrean-American, and my personal why is deeply rooted in who I am. My mom and grandmother fled their country's civil war and landed in San Francisco, where I was born and raised.
Growing up in the city, I learned the importance of community, support, and belonging. I witnessed firsthand how my community rallied together, freely sharing knowledge and information. Whether it was tips on where to find the best deal on tomatoes or helping each other find job opportunities, there was a genuine commitment to seeing everyone win.
But I also saw the struggles and systemic barriers we faced, especially in terms of access to quality education and opportunities to build generational wealth. This stark contrast ignited a passion to dedicate my life to organizing and focusing my work on racial equity and social justice.
Every young person deserves access to education, resources, and opportunities to thrive, regardless of background or circumstances. That is a big reason I do what I do every day.
Tell us more about your time at Hack the Hood.
During my time at Hack the Hood, I've had the opportunity to lead programs and partnerships.
One of the most exciting partnerships was piloting a program with Laney Community College, where students received stipends to alleviate financial barriers.
Thanks to the partnership, it was incredibly rewarding to see students like one who could work one less day to focus on her studies. Those examples remind me of what justice looks like in action.
What are your main priorities for Hack the Hood in the next year or two?
I take this role with the humbleness of knowing Hack the Hood’s incredible impact over the last ten years.
My first and foremost priority is to ensure Hack the Hood continues to be a leading nonprofit changing the face of tech. Our vision inspires and motivates me to continue creating paths that foster economic mobility and promote generational wealth, especially for our Black, Latinx, Native, and AAPI youth. That outcome is the most important to me.
Second, as you heard, we were awarded a $2 million grant from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving initiative. That will help us expand and improve our programs, strengthen our community partnerships, ensure long-term sustainability, and continue impacting the lives of many Black and brown youth.
