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/

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
<ul>
<li>Position: Associate Professor of Practice at Teachers College, Columbia University.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>International Engagement: Delivered over 100 invited lectures and presentations across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia.</li>
<li>Research Grants: Received funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Muslim World League, U.S. State Department, and various foundations and institutes.</li>
<li>Awards and Recognition:
<ul>
<li>2021 Vecernjakov Pecat Award (Bosnia and Herzegovina) for research, activism, and contribution toward social cohesion.</li>
<li>Finalist for the 2021 Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Medal by the American Library Association.</li>
<li>Recognized by School Library Journal, Malala Fund, and others for her book The Cat I Never Named.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Author:
<ul>
<li>The Cat I Never Named—widely integrated into K-12 and higher education curricula in the U.S.</li>
<li>Three Summers (Macmillan Publishers-FSG, 2024)—story of sisterhood and resilience during the Bosnian Genocide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Leadership Roles:
<ul>
<li>First Muslim President of Brown University’s Alumni Association.</li>
<li>Chair of Brown University’s Multicultural, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Alumni Committee.</li>
<li>Board Director roles with the International Center for Transitional Justice, Tuxedo Park School, Women’s March Global, and Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Global Collaboration: Member of the World Association of International Studies and the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies.</li>
<li>Advisory Role: Scientific Advisor to the Forward Project, addressing radicalization in multiethnic contexts, funded by NATO and European Parliament.</li>
<li>Community Engagement: Leads dialogues and workshops in U.S. schools, libraries, and communities, focusing on resilience, unity, and empowerment against hate and extremism.</li>
</ul>
Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing Up on the Eve of War:
<a href="https://a.co/d/cr7pFhF">https://a.co/d/cr7pFhF</a>
<a href="https://www.sabicelrayess.org/">https://www.sabicelrayess.org/</a>

I Am Refocused Radio provides a space that welcomes people to speak freely about real life experiences through various platforms to engage and encourage those who are looking to find their purpose.

I Am Refocused Radio provides a space that welcomes people to speak freely about real life experiences through various platforms to engage and encourage those who are looking to find their purpose.

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