MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Victoria Jabara
President, Co-Founder
Victoria Jabara is a dedicated advocate and trailblazer in the fight against hate, and her journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive society. As a founding member and the President of the Board of the Khalid Jabara Foundation, she has played a pivotal role in turning tragedy into a catalyst for change.
Victoria’s story is deeply rooted in the memory of her beloved brother, Khalid, whose life was tragically cut short by a hate crime in Tulsa in 2016. In response to this devastating loss, she and her family channeled her grief into action, co-founding the Khalid Jabara Foundation. This organization stands as a living tribute to Khalid’s memory and an embodiment of her family’s determination to eradicate hate from our communities.
The mission of the Khalid Jabara Foundation is clear: to actively combat hate in every community by fostering turning strangers into neighbors, and nurturing the growth of kind and inclusive communities that are free from hate. The foundation's approach includes initiatives in social justice and anti-hate education, legal reform, and the promotion of hate crime awareness and prevention.
Victoria and her family’s efforts in preventing future tragedies related to discrimination bore fruit with the creation of the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. This landmark legislation, included in the broader COVID-19 Hate Crimes Bill, was signed into law by President Biden on May 20, 2021. The Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, also named after Heather Heyer, who was tragically killed in a hate crime for demonstrating peacefully in Charlottesville in August 2017, provides vital funding to local, state, and federal governments to update their data collection standards to align with the new National Incident-Based Reporting System. This legislation not only honors Khalid and Heather’s memory but also sets the stage for more effective hate crime prevention and prosecution across the nation.
Victoria holds a bachelor’s degree in French and international relations from the University of Oklahoma, as well as a master's degree in public policy from George Mason University in Washington, D.C. s degree in international policy analysis from George Mason University School of Public Policy. Jabara launched her career with a five-year stint at the U.S. Department of State before moving to London, Beirut, and Dubai to work in corporate marketing and the private sector. She currently lives in Tulsa, OK with her family.
Rami Jabara
Treasurer, Co-Founder
Rami Jabara is an experienced oil, gas, and energy attorney based in Dallas. Rami co-founded the Khalid Jabara Foundation with his sister Victoria after their brother Khalid was tragically murdered in a hate crime in 2016. In the aftermath of this heart-wrenching loss, Rami channeled his grief and anger into a powerful force for change. He emerged as a fervent advocate for social and criminal justice reform in Texas, Oklahoma, and across the United States. His commitment to these causes has become a central focus of his life.
One of Rami’s most significant achievements was advocating for the passage of the “Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer NO HATE ACT” in 2021. This landmark legislation aims to combat hate crimes by improving data collection, providing incentives to law enforcement agencies to enhance their data collection methods, and establishing hotlines for reporting hate crimes. Rami’s tireless advocacy played a vital role in turning this vision into a reality.
Beyond legislative efforts, Rami collaborates with local and federal law enforcement agencies to enhance police practices concerning hate and bias-motivated conduct. Furthermore, Rami is deeply involved with local organizations dedicated to improving the response to hate crimes. His work in this regard has not only raised awareness but has also facilitated meaningful change in the way communities address and combat hate.
Rami’s commitment to justice extends beyond his advocacy work; he is a loving husband to Jenna (an immigration attorney) and a devoted father to their two children. Together, they reside in Dallas, where they continue to champion these causes in honor of Khalid and all those impacted by hate.
Aaron Morris
Secretary
Aaron C. Morris is the Executive Director of Immigration Equality, a national legal rights organization fighting to protect and empower LGBTQ and HIV-positive asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrant families. Prior to joining Immigration Equality, he was a staff attorney at the Office of Legal Affairs for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and the American University Washington College of Law. He grew up in northeastern Oklahoma and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Jenna Carl Jabara
Board Member
Jenna Carl Jabara is an attorney with Lira Bravo Law, PLLC in Dallas, Texas. She is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Prior to joining Lira Bravo Law, Jenna worked at Catholic Charities of Dallas in a variety of capacities, including Interim Director of Immigration Legal Services.
She has extensive experience in a range of immigration matters, including family-based immigration, refugee and asylee adjustment of status, VAWA self-petitions, U Visa, Naturalization, Deferred Action applications, unaccompanied minors, and removal cases. Jenna has been a featured speaker at numerous state, local, and national conferences on the topics of family-based immigration, immigration benefits for victims of crime, and unaccompanied minors. She has been quoted on a variety of immigration topics in publications such as *Al Día*, *The Dallas Morning News*, local NBC, Telemundo, ABC, CBS and Univision affiliates, and *Politico*.
Jenna is passionate about advocacy and service to the community. After the 2016 murder of her brother-in-law, Khalid, in a hate crime, she has dedicated efforts to anti-hate education, legal reform, and improved hate crime reporting. Jenna regularly presents on these topics to attorneys, law enforcement, government agencies, and advocacy organizations. She is a founding board member of the Khalid Jabara Foundation.
Jenna is involved in leadership roles with the Dallas Bar Association Immigration Law Section, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was a member of the 2014 Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Leadership Class, and featured as “One to Watch”.
Jenna graduated from Austin College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa in 2011. In her spare time, she enjoys indoor cycling, traveling, and spending time with friends and family, especially her husband, Rami, and their two children.
Shagah Zakerion
Board Member
Shagah Zakerion is an accomplished consultant and strategist with over a decade of expertise in community building, communications, and public engagement. As a lifelong resident of Tulsa, she is deeply committed to driving positive change in her hometown. Shagah previously led impactful work as Executive Director of the Lobeck Taylor Operating Foundation and Tulsa’s Young Professionals, where she spearheaded initiatives to transform her community. At Williams, she was instrumental in fostering an inclusive work culture and driving initiatives to improve outcomes for all employees.
Recognized for her unwavering dedication, Shagah has received prestigious honors, including the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Champion Award and the 2016 IABC Communicator of the Year. At just 30 years old, she was the youngest honoree of Journal Record’s Achievers Under 40. Shagah currently lends her talents to the boards of the Khalid Jabara Foundation and Gaining Ground Literacy.
As a three-time cancer survivor, she is a fierce advocate for cancer research and patient support. She sits on the Board of Advocates for Stephenson Cancer Center and advises their Community Advisory Board. She also volunteers with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. With a degree in public relations and minors in political science and women’s studies, Shagah is a confident, driven leader who translates her education and experience into meaningful impact for her clients and community. Her strategic acumen and passion for positive change drive her continued success.
Heather Elliott
Board Member
Heather Elliott is a creative professional with over 20 years of marketing and communications experience. With a career that has spanned diverse sectors, she has touched every facet of this industry, from shaping marketing strategies for businesses to providing vital support to nonprofit organizations.
Heather’s design process is characterized by meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to meeting clients’ unique needs. She understands the power of effective communication through design and strives to translate ideas into compelling visuals that convey messages with impact.
Heather has played a pivotal role in supporting nonprofits like the Khalid Jabara Foundation, lending her expertise to causes close to her heart. Her design work not only helps organizations raise awareness but also contributes to their fundraising efforts. She truly believes in the power of design and communication to drive positive change in the world.
Heather is a graduate of Colorado State University and Oklahoma State University. She is the Marketing Director at Narrate Design, a full-service architecture, interiors, and planning firm in Tulsa, OK.