Ahmad Kaki
This interview is with Ahmad Kaki, a legal assistant and law student in Arlington, VA. Ahmad describes growing up Palestinian and Muslim in Texas and how his life changed after 9/11. He talks about his college experiences of involvement in the Muslim Students Association and pro-Palestine organizing. Ahmad shares the trajectory of his career, which brought him to law school and his current work as a legal assistant with the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Barbra O.
This interview is with Barbra O., a master’s student in Milan, Italy who was born in Nigeria and grew up in Texas. She details navigating life as an immigrant child and the experiences that shaped her perception of community and self. She describes cultural connections, such as memories of food and family. Barbra compares her experiences in Texas with her life now in Italy.
Carrie Holley-Hurt
This interview is with Carrie Holley-Hurt, a seminarian studying at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Carrie tells the story of her history of activism and involvement, including her current work tracking and speaking out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Texas. She talks about how parenting a queer child has informed her fight for equal rights and gender affirming care for trans people. Heather also shares her experiences of both admiration for her child and fears for their safety.
Jessica Disla
This interview is with Jessica Disla, a member of the IslamInSpanish community and an aspiring teacher. Jessica talks about growing up and family dynamics in a Dominican-American family in Dominican Republic and New York City. She shares her journey in her career and education and is currently working towards her bachelor’s in education in order to teach ESL. She discusses spiritual seeking and asking difficult questions about religion, and how her curiosity eventually led to IslamInSpanish and her conversion to Islam. Jessica describes her love for the IslamInSpanish community and the many ways she participates in it.
Kevin Ireland
This interview is with Kevin Ireland, a seminarian studying at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Kevin talks about his perceptions of gender growing up, including the media and family dynamics that shaped those perceptions. He talks about his experiences parenting a child in the LGBTQ+ community, such as supporting their engagement with the Texas legislature.
Maesha Meto
This interview is with Maesha Meto, a public affairs grad student and activist in Austin, TX. Maesha talks about her childhood experiences as a young immigrant, such as learning English and feeling alienated from her peers. She shares stories of the Islamophobia she and her family experienced while she was growing up. She also talks about her political awakening and her activist involvement, including police reform work in New York City.
Miqdaad Bhuriwala
This interview is with Miqdaad Bhuriwala, a current master's student in urban planning and a member of the Dawoodi Bhora Muslim community. Miqdaad immigrated to America right after 9/11 and speaks to the experience of uprooting his life, losing parts of his cultural heritage, like language, and learning how to fit in as a Pakistani-American. Miqdaad also discusses how living through a global pandemic has allowed him the chance to work on his mental health and focus on his goal of making the world a better place for both humans and our environment.
Nura Bawab
This interview is with Nura Bawab, a Palestinian solidarity activist and student in Austin, TX. Nura describes growing up in a multicultural and multireligious household. She talks about experiencing the urge to assimilate as the daughter of immigrants and gradually getting in touch with her Palestinian heritage. She discusses her activism with Palestine Solidarity Committee, becoming a student leader within the organization, as well as the challenges and goals of organizing for PSC in Texas.
Sharon Mathew
This interview is with Sharon Mathew, a medical student and aspiring reproductive healthcare provider in Clearwater, FL. Sharon talks about growing up as a first-generation American in a Malayali home, and how that affected their experiences of gender dynamics and relationships to peers. She shares her journey of relating to her heritage, from shying away from Mohiniyattam dance due to childhood bullying to embracing wearing pottu and learning Malayalam as an adult. Sharon discusses their passion for reproductive healthcare as a powerful freedom and describes their activist work as well as their career aspirations and inspirations.
Therese Quinto
This interview is with Therese Marie Quinto, a first-generation Filipino-American nursing student living in San Antonio, TX. Therese talks about her parents’ experiences as immigrants and how being a daughter of immigrants has shaped her. She describes the cultural influence of her Filipino-American community as well as her relationship to Catholicism and her non-profit work with Catholic Charities. She also talks about her friendships and her exposure to many cultures through them.