Sunnei Daniels-Samasa

In 2011 Sunnei Dais (Katrina) founded Black Americans Living Abroad, the first expatriate group focused on the experiences of Black Americans who live abroad. Fourteen years and three countries later, she has curated a space where Black Americans can share the unique challenges and the nuances of navigating life abroad.

As the founder of BALA, she collates the experiences of her members and uses data from the group to identify positive trends in her expatriate community. Where are we living successfully? What places are long term for us? Which career pathways open doors for living abroad? Knowing the answers to these questions are crucial as she consults.

Her background in Sociology and Education paired with her global experiences strengthens her understanding of how to navigate diverse environments successfully, even when no one shares your background. With 26 years experience in education and leadership working in suburban and inner city schools in the United States, rural and city areas in the United Arab Emirates, and on the island of Jeju in South Korea she has been able to use her personal experiences to not only inspire those who desire to improve their careers but to help those interested in moving abroad craft a plan. Using a multilayered, multidimensional approach that centers cultural humility, she understands and considers the nuances of an individual and the demographics of their preferences as she helps her members develop strategies to support their lives abroad. Each move she's made has equated to career advancement. She currently serves as Director of Community and Belonging.

In her spare time, she consults, writes, and in the past, she has also served as a guest lecturer for classes at Stanford University, Michigan State University, and Morehouse University focused on various topics. She has also led educational leadership workshops in Switzerland, UAE, South Korea, UK and has an upcoming workshop in Germany (2025).

Her passion for writing and performing poetry propelled her to begin the first performance based poetry event in the UAE; “ Poetry Slammin’ on the Roof” which served as the inspiration for the longest running poetry show in the UAE, “Rooftop Rhythms”.