Neamat Ullah came to the United States knowing little to no English but started high school within a year. Four years later, he graduated with advanced courses on his resume and a dozen community involvement opportunities under his belt. In his story, he shares his experiences in Bangladesh, his transition to the U.S., the changes […]
Neamat Ullah: Life is Like a Stock Market Read More »
For Zubaidah Harun a new life in America after being a refugee in Malaysia has meant a number of new opportunities and freedoms, but what she values most is the education. In her story she shares why this is so important to her, honest experiences from being bulled in Malaysia as a refugee from Myanmar
Zubaidah Harun: Striving For Opportunities Read More »
Bahram Sherwani may seem as if he’s had a relatively easy upbringing, but he knows what his family had to endure for him to have that luxury. In his story, Sherwani shares his parents’ past and how it has shaped his life as a hyphenated American, an Afghan-American with pride for both sides of the
Bahram Sherwani: A Hyphenated American Identity Read More »
Teeb Lee has always felt different from the other men he has known; never naturally gravitating towards what he had been taught it means to be masculine. In his story he shares how his perceptions of what it means to be a man, and a Hmong man, has changed over time and how he wants
Teeb Lee: More Than Just a Man and Hmong Man Read More »
Fatima is a hair-braider, teacher and entrepreneur living in Bronzeville. She moved to Chicago from Mali in 2001 with a dream of opening her own salon. She loves the opportunities this city has given her and believes we need to stop focusing on where people come from and start collaborating for the greater good.This story
Fatima Traore: The City that Built Me Read More »
It took Mansa Aziz an unnecessary fight in seventh grade to realize that not every fight is worth fighting, and taking a stance to not fight can lead to a path of success. In his story he shares an instance of a fight he knows he shouldn’t have gotten into and how it changed his
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Salim Taher knows what it’s like to feel caged in and will never take the freedoms the U.S. has given him for granted. On track to fulfill his dream of being a pilot, Taher’s a student that feels he has been given a second life, one that’s away from familiarity, family and friends but one
Salim Taher: Flying for Freedom Read More »
Aslam Kakar was born in Pakistan, in the most humblest of traditional Islamic families. Having grown up without a father since the age of 2, Aslam goes over his journey of the pursuit of knowledge and his experience here in the United States. This story was recorded in partnership with MALA and StoryCorps. This story
Aslam Kakar: Becoming a Free Thinker Read More »
Safiyyah Abdul-Qawiyy is the Founder and CEO of Muslim Sisters of Staten Island, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Muslim women and children in Staten Island by providing resources, services and hosting programs for civic engagement. She is also a mother of three, grandmother of one, registered Nurse and Professor. My name is Safiyyah Abdul-Qawiyy. I
Safiyyah Abdul-Qawiyy: Prioritizing the Needs of My Community Read More »
This piece, which originally appeared in the Guardian, was written in the author’s personal capacity and the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. government.Maryum Saifee is a career diplomat. Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service, Saifee worked at the Ford Foundation and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in
Maryum Saifee: To End FGM, More Survivors Need to Speak Out Read More »
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