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Abdirizak Bihi: Community Development in Action Bihi fled from Somaliland due to war and conflict. In his eloquent story, he describes his journey to America, and how he remains committed to help his community overcome cultural and language barriers in Minneapolis. This story was recorded in partnership with StoryCorps and MALA. Production credits given to Sydey […]

Ali Hijazi: Challenges Through Adversities Growing up in a small city in California, I was always looked at as someone who was obviously different than everyone else. Being Lebanese American, it’s hard to make or even stay with friends with other people, and what hurt me the most is that I try too hard to

Tijay Mohammed: For the Sake of Love Tijay Mohammed is a Ghana born Artist who pursues his art career in New York. He speaks of many challenges he has faced in order to pursue his dreams with his family and his identity.  I was born in Kintampo, in Bono East region of Ghana. I grew

Narimon Safavi: To Chicago, From Tehran Narimon Safavi is a Chicago based Iranian-American entrepreneur who is also a contributor and analyst for the radio program Worldview on WBEZ (Chicago Public Media). This story was produced through a community partnership with MALA and StoryCorps. “I was born in Tehran, Iran, 57 years ago, but my family had already resided

Uzo Udu: United Through Music Uzo is from Ukraine, and describes his unique background. His journey to the United States is spectacular, and he describes how music was a source of individuality and unity for him. Uzo also helped coordinate a safe space for Muslim students to pray at his university. He is a global

Eboo Patel: I Grew up Wanting to be White Eboo Patel was born in India and came to the United States with his parents at two years old. At the time, Patel’s father was completing his MBA at the University of Notre Dame. Patel is the founder of Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based nonprofit that encourages collaboration

Muhammed is a Turkish American Imam who works as a religious Chaplain in hospitals to try to help his patients in any way that he can.  I was born in Lezing, Turkey, I moved to the United States in 2014. As I said, I was born in Turkey, in the city called Giresun, its in

Leena Zahra: Centering Identity in Community Engagement Leena is a Syrian American who is proud of both her American and Syrian culture and strives to show how knowing your history can lead to knowing your identity which can then help your mental health.  I was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, and so I am

Sali Mahgoub: Why I Am Trying to Be Enough For You Sali is a Sudanese American who at a young age had to leave the only place she knew for a new one that constantly questioned her identity, but through her hardships, she perceived and understood that she only needed to please herself first.  I

Kalid Loul: Let Love Drive You, Not Fear Kalid is a Syrian American businessman and community builder.  Here, he discusses the importance of family and healthcare and how he lives out these values in life and in business I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, my father used to work for AT&T, so that’s where my