Isra Chakir, the extraordinary Syrian-American civil rights activist, joins us for an eye-opening conversation about her journey in advocacy and identity. As a Senior Campaign Manager at Amnesty International USA, Isra has been a stalwart champion for immigrant and refugee rights. Her deeply personal narrative of belonging as a third culture kid split between Boulder, Colorado, and Damascus, Syria, offers a compelling look into the duality of identity and the quest for creating inclusive spaces through activism.

Furthermore, the narrative pivots to the remarkable stories of Syrian refugees who have transformed their lives through organizations like Karam House. These tales of survival, creativity, and empowerment underline the necessity of investing in youth to ignite a movement of hope.

Together, these stories remind us of our collective responsibility to combat injustice and foster a world where everyone can thrive.

What does it mean to truly belong? Join us in this compelling episode, “Empowering Syrian Youth Through Education,” where we are honored to speak with George Batah and Majed Abdelsamad, two extraordinary Syrian humanitarians now thriving in New York. They open up about their evolving sense of belonging—originally rooted in their homeland of Syria but transformed through their experiences in the United States. Majed shares his journey from viewing belonging as tied to a specific place to understanding it as an emotional connection to various moments in time, while George discusses how forming new relationships in America has helped him preserve his cultural heritage.

Join us on an emotional journey with Rose McCall, our Belonging(s) guest and the Director of Philanthropy at Karam Foundation, as she weaves stories of belonging beyond conventional limits. Through her narratives, we explore the complex terrain of identity—a rich tapestry interlaced with cultural heritage, the immigrant experience, and personal reflections of home aboard her sailboat, Yuvamaz. This episode will reshape your perception of belonging, inviting you to engage in a conversation that navigates both the heart and the world.

Also, from Karam House, meet Nour, Karam’s Leader, who defines resilience. Despite the multiple displacements, Nour was determined to continue her journey to accomplish her dream of becoming a fashion designer.