Meet Soumaya Khalifa | Executive Director and Founder – Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta

We had the good fortune of connecting with Soumaya Khalifa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Soumaya, what inspires you?
I am inspired by everyone around me. I am especially inspired by the young people especially in the Muslim community. When I hear of situations they are facing in schools, I know that the work of the ISB is more needed than ever. Last year in several school districts they were showing videos about 9/11 and the video said that Muslim terrorists were behind 9/11. These students were not even born then but they still carry the blame of these hideous acts. That drives me to do more outreach and education not only to educators and schools but the wider community. I am inspired to build a better world for all including Muslims where all voices and people are at all the tables.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have been described as a speaker, teacher, organizer, consultant, leader, facilitator, mediator, entrepreneur, innovator and executive. I do my best to use those skills toward a singular focus: increasing intercultural understanding. At my heart is a true community-builder and peace-maker.

With a successful career in human resources, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion, I saw the need for engagement across religious and cultural divides. In 2001 (one month before 9/11), I gathered a group of Muslim-American leaders who acknowledged that dialogue and education are the best ways to fight bigotry and misconceptions. The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISB) was born.

Through ISB, I have been able to serve the Muslim and wider community by building bridges of understanding, nurturing interfaith partnerships, developing leaders, and creating spaces for mutual understating and respect. From City Hall to corporate boardrooms, from PhD’s to kindergartners, I work to inspire individual and societal growth by showing how to reach beyond our comfort zones and aspire for a stronger community and a more peaceful world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Atlanta’s diversity and the wide variety of experiences that our city has to offer. If my friends who are visiting love the arts, we go to the High Museum, see what is playing at the Fox Theatre or the Alliance, or maybe attend an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert. If my friends are “foodies,” then we look for dining adventures on Buford Highway, including the Buford Highway Farmers Market. In the spring or fall, when Atlanta’s weather is most perfect, I never skip a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. But no matter what the occasion, we always stop at Alon’s Bakery for a Gruyere Twist, a delicious pastry filled with Gruyere cheese and coated in sesame seeds. My favorite!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a ShoutOut to my husband, Mohamed, my children and grandchildren. Being the founder and Executive Director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta is my life’s work, second only to my family. Without their love, support and encouragement (and lots of forgiveness for late dinners), the ISB would not be the successful community-building organization it is today.

I am also deeply inspired by young people, especially in the Muslim community. When I speak with young people, I can see that the work of the ISB is more needed than ever. Last year, Muslim students were put in very difficult situations when classes about 9/11 insulted Islam and Muslims and pointed blame at them. I was astonished at the Muslim students’ ability to manage those challenges, and I was reminded that our work to educate and engage students, teachers and the entire community is not done.

Website: www.isbatlanta.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumayakhalifa/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ISBAtlanta

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISBAtlanta

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Islamic+speakers+bureau+of+atlanta