Emmanuel Uwayezu wa Kabano, originally from Rwanda, has made Tucson his home and become a beacon of hope and stability for African refugee youth in the community. His journey with Tucson Refugee Beats began with something as simple as buying a guitar from Goodwill, sparking a vision to create a space where young refugees could find courage, self-confidence, and hope.
Through the band, Emmanuel dedicates his life to guiding these young men as they navigate a new and unfamiliar country, helping them build a foundation for success. When members move on to pursue college and other opportunities, Emmanuel opens the door to new talent, ensuring the cycle of mentorship and inspiration continues. We'll soon visit Emmanuel’s home to catch up with the band and see how they’re thriving today.
Producer: Özlem Ayşe Özgür
Videographer: Danny Sax, Özlem Ayşe Özgür, Eryka Dellenbach
Editor: Diana Cadena
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