The energetic, passionate and charismatic finance professional launches his bid for Aurora Public School Board.
The city of Aurora has always been home to everyone. The city’s diversified and dynamic nature is one of the reasons immigrants have been able to contribute positively to its growth. One of those people who have done so is Ousman Ba. He brings an uncommon zeal, positivity and charisma that makes him a worthy and formidable candidate as he announces his election bid for the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education.
His Beginnings
Ousman was born in a refugee camp in Senegal to Mauritanian parents. At the age of six, his family immigrated to Colorado as refugees, where he began school in the 3rd grade with Denver Public Schools. From an early age, Ousman understood that education was a privilege he did not have in Senegal, and he embraced every opportunity to learn.
“When I first arrived in Aurora as a young immigrant, I carried a suitcase full of hope and determination. Like so many families who come here, I believed in the promise of America—that if you work hard, stay focused, and pursue an education, you can build a better life. Education was the bridge that helped me cross into new opportunities, and it is still the most powerful tool we can give to our children”.
After graduating from George Washington High School, Ousman attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where he majored in Political Science and International Relations.
After completing college, Ousman completed a year of service through AmeriCorps City Year, where he supported more than 100 9th-grade students from low-income communities in inner-city Miami. That experience solidified his commitment to equity in education. Ousman saw firsthand how the education system often benefits some students while leaving others behind. At his Red Jacket Ceremony, he made a promise: to always be an advocate for our students.
Why he’s running for the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education
For Ousman this is not just politics. This is personal. “I have lived the challenges that many of our students and families face—navigating a new language, trying to understand an unfamiliar system, and wondering whether people like me would ever be fully seen and supported. I have also seen the difference it makes when schools step up with care, resources, and high expectations”.
Over the years, he has mentored young people who were close to giving up until someone reminded them of their potential. He has sat with families who desperately want the best for their children but feel shut out of decision-making and has also talked to teachers who pour their hearts into the classroom, often without enough resources or recognition. These experiences has constantly reminded him of one truth: our schools can either open doors or close them. We cannot afford for any door to be closed.
“Aurora is one of the most diverse communities in the nation. That is our strength. Our classrooms are filled with students from every corner of the globe, speaking dozens of languages, bringing incredible resilience and creativity. But too often, our diversity has been treated as a challenge instead of an opportunity. I believe it is time to flip that script. We should celebrate what makes our students unique while making sure every child, regardless of zip code or background, receives an excellent education”.
His priorities are straightforward:
Students First. Every policy, every budget decision, every conversation should start with a simple question: does this help our kids thrive?
Support for Educators. Teachers and staff are the backbone of our schools. We must ensure they have the resources, training, and respect to do their jobs well. When educators succeed, students succeed.
Family Engagement. Parents and guardians deserve to be partners, not afterthoughts. We need stronger communication and meaningful opportunities for families to be involved in shaping their children’s education.
Transparency and Accountability. Taxpayers and families should know how decisions are made and how dollars are spent. Trust is built when people feel informed and included.
Four Ousman, this is about right and wrong. He strongly believes it is wrong to leave any student behind and it is right to ensure every child in Aurora has a fair chance to succeed.
He is stepping forward because he believes our district can do better. Better at preparing students not just for graduation, but for colleges, careers, and citizenship. Better at making families feel like true partners. Better at creating an environment where teachers are valued and supported.
In all of this, Ousman admits this is something he cannot do alone. “No single person can fix our schools. Real change comes when a community comes together—when parents, educators, students, and neighbors stand side by side and say, “Our children deserve the best, and we will not settle for less.”
That is what his campaign is all about. It’s about building a stronger Aurora, one classroom at a time. It’s about honoring the promise of education that brought him here years ago and ensuring it is alive for every child today.
Ousman believes our kids cannot wait. Their future—and ours—depends on what we do now. That is why he is running, and with your support, that is how he intends to serve.