Baha Sadr has dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts, raising awareness about global conflicts and forced migration, and advocating for the rights of immigrants and refugees. Originally from Iran, Baha has a unique perspective and deep understanding of the challenges refugees and immigrants face globally.
Currently serving as the State Refugee Coordinator for the State of Rhode Island, Baha's journey in this field began as the Refugee Resettlement Director at Dorcas International , a role he fulfilled for 15 years. Throughout his career, Baha has forged partnerships with a myriad of local, national, and international organizations to establish supportive frameworks tailored to meet the evolving needs of refugees and immigrants and other vulnerable populations.
His work focuses on successful community integration, basic needs, education, healthcare access, legal services, employment, and training for newcomers to United States. He has worked closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and local healthcare partners to reduce and eliminate health disparities and promote health equity, ensuring access to quality healthcare services for newcomers in Rhode Island. Baha has also served as the board chair for the Area Health Education Centers in RI.
For his commitment of serving refugees and immigrants, Baha has been recognized by several organizations, including the RI Council for Humanities, Campaign for a Healthy Rhode Island, and the Institute for Development of Children and Young Adults in Iran. Baha is a graduate of the Trinity Conservatory and has incorporated innovative arts and “Designed Thinking” in his community building approach to engage communities in collaborative efforts at local, national, and global levels. Baha has collaborated with a film producer and writer Mary Copp in creation of Home Across Lands Movie on Eritrean Kunama People coming to & adjusting to America from Ethiopia (youtube.com), and establishing an ongoing music project with Community Music Works to inspire refugees share their cultural heritage with Americans during a concert series called Songs of Refuge. He developed and facilitated a series of cultural competency and community engagement initiatives for local and national community service providers.
Baha has also extended his efforts internationally, presenting to the Australian Refugee Program and the Australian Home Affair Office, and leading empowerment workshop series for at risk youth in Iran. He has also conducted cultural competency trainings and workshops and raised awareness on social justice and health disparities among Aboriginal Canadians (First Peoples) in Northern Ontario, Thunder Bay, and Quebec in Canada. Baha’s passion for humanitarian work and community building continues to drive his efforts to create a more equitable and just world.
