Five Questions with Ama Ogoussan

Get to know Reed's mail services clerk in our series of staff profiles.

Meet staff member Ama Ogoussan. 

Pronouns: She/her, They/them
Department: Mail Services
Position: Mail services clerk
Office dog? Share their name: No office dog but Habibi is our mailroom cat (he likes to stop by and take naps).

Last book read?
I just finished Merchant of Death by D. J. MacHale. It’s the first book from a series that I read when I was in high school. At the time, the last book wasn’t finished yet, so when I saw it at Powell’s I got them all to finally see how it ends.

Favorite quote?
Janet Mock said, “There's power in naming yourself, in proclaiming to the world that this is who you are.” She was talking about how difficult it can be to wield that power, especially in this social climate, but I like to use it as a reminder that there’s power in being myself.

What impact are you making on your community?
I feel like it’s a little early to see what my impact will be, but I am a producer in the punk/D.I.Y scene in Portland. I try to help new artists get started with writing, recording, and making connections. I occasionally run sound for shows.

What is something most people don't know about you?
Most people don’t know that I have a large doll collection. I have some classic Barbies, Bratz, [and] Enchantimals, but my favorite has to be Rainbow High Dolls because the outfits are well made.

What is your current passion project?
I just finished the script for my second rock opera film. The next step is fundraising. I learned a lot from my first venture in film making and I’m excited to try out new techniques.

Tags: Institutional