Dauda Sesay is a devoted community advocate, husband, and father of five wonderful children. Nine years ago, he arrived in the United States as a refugee from Sierra Leone after enduring unimaginable tragedy. His hometown was attacked by armed rebels, forcing his family to flee and leave everything behind.
That harrowing day was filled with violence and horror. Dauda lost his beloved father and younger sister to the brutality. Five of his childhood friends had their hands amputated, his own hand was nearly severed, and he was shot in his left leg. The family’s home was set ablaze while his mother, brothers, and other relatives were inside. His mother managed to escape through a basement route, but tragically, his 7-year-old baby sister was burned alive.
Recently, Dauda reflected on his journey as the Trump Administration reduced the refugee resettlement program — the same program through which he came to the U.S. — to just 30,000, the lowest in the nation’s history. Having lived through the experience of being a refugee himself, he is deeply disheartened to see the United States turning away people who are now fleeing similarly dangerous and life-threatening situations.
Like many refugees, Dauda would have preferred to remain in his homeland. But the constant fear of persecution and the devastating war that claimed the lives of his loved ones left him no choice but to flee. After arriving in the U.S., he encountered numerous challenges, including discrimination, adapting to a new language, and navigating a different culture. What made the greatest difference in overcoming those hurdles — and beginning to heal from past trauma — was the warm welcome he received from his new community in Baton Rouge.
To Dauda, America has always represented a beacon of hope. Executive orders banning Muslim immigrants and slashing refugee admissions undermine that promise. They contradict the values the United States was built upon: compassion, welcome, and resilience. He believes deeply that America should remain a place where anyone, regardless of background, can pursue safety and the American dream.
Today, Dauda dedicates his life to welcoming others — just as he and his family were welcomed. He serves as president of the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) and represents the state as a delegate in the national Refugee Congress. Through these roles, he raises his voice in support of refugee rights and works to uplift new arrivals as they navigate life in a new country.
“There is a sense of hope that comes from finding a home,” he says, urging local leaders, state legislators, and national policymakers to stand with refugees — not just in words, but in action. “Only then can we truly reflect the spirit of welcome that America stands for.”
If Dauda’s story moves you, he encourages you to turn that compassion into action. Join LORI’s Welcoming Network Initiative and help make Baton Rouge a model welcoming city. Together, we can inspire hospitality and hope across the nation — and the world.