Ben Schumaker

Advisory Board Member

Ben Schumaker is the founder of the Memory Project, a nonprofit youth arts organization that connects American youth with children throughout the world to build intercultural understanding and kindness. Since 2004, the Memory Project has involved more than 300,000 youth across 57 countries in its mission to “create a kinder world through art

Ben first became involved with children in Afghanistan after collaborating on a youth portraiture project with Andeisha Farid in 2011. He continued to coordinate youth art projects in Afghanistan for the next ten years, aiming to enhance the educational experience of girls in particular. Ben was devastated when the Taliban suddenly took power in Afghanistan, and he threw himself into efforts to support Afghan girls and women in every way possible.

Today, Ben considers the Taliban’s domination and subjugation of women and girls to be one of the world’s worst human rights violations and humanitarian catastrophes. As such, Ben is very honored to be part of Shokofa’s efforts to provide Afghan girls with the educational opportunities, life experiences, and safe childhoods they deserve.