Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariama Bah.
Hi Mariama, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Mariama Bah, and I am from Guinea, West Africa 🇬🇳. I migrated in 2009 to Brooklyn, NY, then moved to NC in 2014. During my college years, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I started nursing school, but I didn’t like it, and I wanted to pursue fashion, so I moved back to NY to follow my fashion dreams at LIM College, only to face depression, financial struggles, and the start of COVID-19.
So I came back to NC, thinking the pandemic and online schooling were temporary, but for me, they weren’t. School became tough, and family expectations became unbearable. As the eldest child of immigrant parents, I carried the pressure to provide for my family. They often reminded me that America was the land of dreams, and I could not afford to waste time.
In the midst of these struggles, I was forced to confront a dark part of my past. As I delved deeper, I realized that mental health was a common thread connecting us all. While advocating for mental health, I also immersed myself in community care, volunteering at shelters and helping those experiencing homelessness, which allowed me to understand the connection between mental health and homelessness.
And this is how my journey of starting Nation of Diversity began. Nation of Diversity’s mission shifted a few times as my understanding of advocacy evolved over time. I realized that advocacy meant more than just awareness it meant providing tangible solutions. And that is how Nation of Diversity became what it is today: Reducing homelessness and raising awareness about mental health through creative arts.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road it’s been a roller coaster. As the economy continues to shift, the cost of living is rising, and homelessness is increasing across both the U.S. and North Carolina. In the U.S. alone, over 650,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, and millions more are at risk. Here in North Carolina, homelessness continues to grow as well, especially as more people are living paycheck to paycheck and one unexpected situation can change everything.
Mental health is also a major part of the picture. About 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a mental health condition each year, and in North Carolina, that reality is the same millions are impacted, yet many are not receiving the support they need. You start to see how closely mental health and homelessness are connected, and how often people are navigating both at the same time.
For me, one of the biggest struggles has been funding and limited resources within Nation of Diversity. There are so many ideas, so many needs in the community, and so many ways I want to serve but not always the capacity or financial support to fully bring them to life. A lot of the time, I’ve had to stretch myself and personally invest just to keep things moving.
It’s been challenging carrying a big vision with limited resources, but even in that, the need keeps me grounded. The stories, the people, and the reality of what’s happening that’s what keeps me going.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nation Of Diversity. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Nation of Diversity is a community-based initiative focused on reducing homelessness and raising awareness about mental health through creative arts and storytelling. What we do goes beyond awareness—we create spaces where people can express themselves, heal, and connect through art, community engagement, and lived experience storytelling.
We specialize in using creative expression as a tool for healing and advocacy. Through workshops, outreach, community conversations, and artistic programming, we engage people who are often directly impacted by homelessness and mental health challenges. We also support community care efforts through volunteering and on-the-ground involvement, meeting people where they are.
What sets Nation of Diversity apart is that it is deeply rooted in lived experience and real community connection. This is not a distant organization it is hands-on, personal, and built from real stories, real struggles, and real resilience. Even with limited funding and resources, the mission continues to grow because it is driven by purpose, not convenience.
One of the most meaningful parts of the work is The Circle Speaks (TCS). TCS is a storytelling and healing space where people come together to share their experiences, reflect on mental health, and speak openly through conversation and creative expression. It is a circle built on trust, honesty, and vulnerability where stories are not judged but held with care.
In 2026, The Circle Speaks is launching its 5 Success Story Initiates. These initiates highlight five individuals who have overcome different challenges whether mental health struggles, housing instability, immigration experiences, or personal hardships and are now stepping into leadership and storytelling roles.
Each success story represents transformation, not perfection. They show what it looks like to grow through adversity and turn pain into purpose. What makes this initiative powerful is that it centers real people, still evolving and still healing, while giving them a platform to be seen and heard.
At its core, Nation of Diversity is about dignity, voice, and community. It is about making sure people feel seen in their stories and reminding them that their experiences matter and that healing is possible through connection, creativity, and shared humanity.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to never give up and to take that first step, no matter the negative voices in my mind or the voices of others questioning my credibility. I’ve learned to believe in myself, to hype myself up, because no one else will do it for you the way you need it.
I’ve also learned that no matter how small the progress may seem, you have to keep moving forward. Speak passionately about your cause, even when it feels like things are moving slowly or not being seen. Consistency, belief, and perseverance matter more than perfection or speed.
Pricing:
- Any donation helps
- 30.000 ( to remove 5 women of our homelessness)
- 5k for each candidate and the rest miscellaneous things
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nodnow.org/about
- Instagram: @nationofdiversity
- Facebook: @nationofdiversity
