In this episode of Provider Pulse, we continue our mission to elevate diverse voices from across healthcare, exploring the unique paths people take to their current roles.
Our guest is JJ Bola—writer, poet, mental health social worker, and UNHCR Ambassador. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in London, JJ Bola shares his family’s journey as refugees, the uncertainty of his early career steps, and how he ultimately built a life that weaves together creativity, advocacy, and his work in mental health.
He reflects on the power of representation in professional fields and the many identities and roles one person can hold.
This conversation was recorded in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where JJ Bola was a keynote speaker at the 2025 Conference of the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers.
You can learn more about JJ and his work at www.jjbola.com. His publications include the novels No Place to Call Home (2017) and The Selfless Act of Breathing (2021); the nonfiction book Mask Off: Masculinity Redefined (2019); and three poetry collections—Elevate (2012), Daughter of the Sun (2014), and WORD (2015).
Guide to terms and acronyms:
- UNHCR: United Nations High Commission for Refugees—the UN agency that protects refugees and displaced people worldwide.
Visit EthnoMed.org for additional resources. Follow us on YouTube and Instagram @EthnoMedUW
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