“I carried myself in a way
where they
couldn’t cross or
belittle me.”
My global identity led me to a career in journalism.
Growing up in one of the most isolating places in the world – Saudi Arabia, I learned what it felt like to be a second-class citizen. I spent years later years of my childhood in Bangladesh, the country of my ancestors where rampant corruption and political instability brought my family to another isolated part of the world. Utah. I came to terms with my loneliness, but it felt different this time. Not only did I not speak English, but I was the only brown, Muslim girl of my class, in a community of caucasian Mormons.
My exposure to the Middle East, South Asia, and racism in Utah drew me to get my B.A. history and global studies at UCLA in 2007. After my graduation, I worked for Al Gore’s global TV network, Current TV.
But watching the female pioneers in my industry I quickly learned that I wanted to take my career to the next level.
So, I decided to get my master’s degree in broadcast journalism and documentary at Columbia University, where I learned to shoot, edit, and produce stories on my own.
Since then, I have freelanced for networks including Al Jazeera English, CNN International, PBS Newshour, NBC News, National Geographic Channel, MIC, Channel 4UK, and Vice News.
Whether it’s domestic or international, over the years, I have developed a grit for producing nuanced pieces that look beyond the headlines. As a woman of color with a multicultural background, I have made it my mission to explore issues that are often overlooked by mainstream media.