Yousra Elbagir is a journalist based in Khartoum, Sudan. Raised in a family of publishers and journalists while growing up under a dictatorship, she says, "Freedom of the media has always been a heartfelt concern."

Last year, she was honored as Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Winner for her outstanding reportage. She started the Twitter hashtag #SundanUnderSanctions to ignite a conversation amongst the Sudanese community on what life has been like living under U.S.'s sanctions. Her findings are documented in this insightful piece at The Guardian.

Blending activism, Sudanese awareness, news and culture, Elbagir is shining light on a country that many know little about. Her words are in The Guardian, CNN Africa and Elephant Media.

-AA