THE DISSIDENT PROJECT
A nonprofit speakers bureau connecting immigrants who fled tyrannical regimes with American high schoolers.
BRING THE WORLD TO YOU CLASSROOM.
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Seohyun Lee
NORTH KOREA
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ANGESOM TEKLU
ERITREA
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FRANCES HUI
HONG KONG
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EVAN MAWARIRE
ZIMBABWE
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TAHMINEH DEHBOZORGI
IRAN
In the winter of 2022, Dissident Project Founder Daniel Di Martino was invited by a teacher at a high school in the Northeast to give a talk before a school assembly. Di Martino, now pursuing his PhD in economics at Columbia University, happily accepted — though he felt a little uncomfortable that the teacher offered to pay for his train ticket out of her own pocket.
The talk was a great success, with many students asking for his photo and teachers approaching him in private about how important his message is. That’s when the idea hit Daniel: If he as an immigrant could reach a new audience with the message of liberty, why couldn’t others as well?
The Dissident Project aims to do just that by empowering more activists like Daniel who can speak to students like peers, emphasizing the importance of the values of freedom that allow individuals to reach their full potential and societies to flourish — like free speech, democracy, and the rule of law.
About us
accessible
We offer our speeches to high schools across the country for no cost to the teacher or host organization.
Professional
The Dissident Project provides intensive training summits for each new class of speakers. During these three day in-person engagements, our dissidents are given valuable feedback from industry leaders on their speeches and delivery. The Project is supported by Young Voices, a talent agency with a ten year history of success connecting young liberty-minded professionals to the mainstream media.
Tested
Our speeches have been vetted and approved by educators across the country.
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“Angesome did a wonderful job teaching our students today. We even had some teachers drop in to learn. He had a powerful story that is so important for our younger generation to understand. We need to reach them before it's too late. Thanks again for all your hard work helping folks understand the importance of freedom.”
Brian (Mesa, AZ)
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“Thank you for being willing to come to Utah and to share your experiences with us. We are so grateful for your willingness to speak out against the tragedy our country is trying to impose upon itself. It is a very hard thing to speak out against when you see it but have not lived it.”
Craig (Salt Lake City, UT)
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“Thank you for the beautiful, insightful, and engaging experience you gave our students on Friday! They were all captivated by your life and your story-telling skills, but they learned so much. Most importantly, they discovered that one person can make a difference!”
Shelina (Washington, D.C.)
Our Team
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Daniel Di Martino
FOUNDER
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Grace Bydalek
DIRECTOR
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CHARLIE ANDREWS
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Board of Advisors
Rob Schimenz - Craig Peterson - Michael Mastrianna - marianna Davidovich - Brad Lips - Reihan Salam - Simon Lee - Cynthia ElLsWorth Bader
The Dissident Project is a project of Young Voices, a non-profit talent agency for rising professionals in policy. Read more about Young Voices on our website.