The Power of Diverse Storytelling with Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess- "Three Summers"

I Am Refocused Radio

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, we are honored to welcome Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, a renowned scholar and author of Three Summers. Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess joins Shemaiah to delve into her deeply moving and impactful book that chronicles the lives of five young cousins in 1980s Bosnia. As ethnic tensions escalate, their bond becomes a source of strength and resilience, illustrating the power of unity and sisterhood.
Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess shares her profound insights on the importance of diverse storytelling and its role in fostering global awareness and empathy. Her personal journey—from a survivor of the Bosnian Genocide to a leading advocate for social cohesion and education—brings a powerful perspective on how life experiences can shape our understanding of the world.
Tune in to hear how Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess’s story not only sheds light on lesser-known historical events but also serves as a call to action for building a more compassionate and connected world. This episode is a compelling reminder of the strength found in shared stories and the impact they can have on our global community.
About Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess

• Position: Associate Professor of Practice at Teachers College, Columbia University.
• Research Focus: Educational Displacement, targeted violence, hate prevention, interfaith collaboration, anti-Muslim racism, storytelling, radicalization, othering, transitional justice, corruption, social cohesion, social mobility, and social transformation.
• International Engagement: Delivered over 100 invited lectures and presentations across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia.
• Research Grants: Received funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Muslim World League, U.S. State Department, and various foundations and institutes.
• Awards and Recognition:
  • 2021 Vecernjakov Pecat Award (Bosnia and Herzegovina) for research, activism, and contribution toward social cohesion.
  • Finalist for the 2021 Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Medal by the American Library Association.
  • Recognized by School Library Journal, Malala Fund, and others for her book The Cat I Never Named.
• Author:
  • The Cat I Never Named—widely integrated into K-12 and higher education curricula in the U.S.
  • Three Summers (Macmillan Publishers-FSG, 2024)—story of sisterhood and resilience during the Bosnian Genocide.
• Leadership Roles:
  • First Muslim President of Brown University’s Alumni Association.
  • Chair of Brown University’s Multicultural, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Alumni Committee.
  • Board Director roles with the International Center for Transitional Justice, Tuxedo Park School, Women’s March Global, and Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation.
• Global Collaboration: Member of the World Association of International Studies and the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies.
• Advisory Role: Scientific Advisor to the Forward Project, addressing radicalization in multiethnic contexts, funded by NATO and European Parliament.
• Community Engagement: Leads dialogues and workshops in U.S. schools, libraries, and communities, focusing on resilience, unity, and empowerment against hate and extremism.

Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing Up on the Eve of War:
https://a.co/d/cr7pFhF
https://www.sabicelrayess.org/
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