Storytelling & Public Speaking

Born in Queens, Rana became a civic leader as a teenager–after being attacked on the street by a man who tried to take off her hijab (headscarf). She channeled that event into a life of activism and empowerment.

Born in France (of Guadeloupean descent), and a current Brooklynite, Lydia is an actor and award-winning filmmaker who has spent her life raising the stories of people from marginalized communities and supporting women in film. Lydia proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2022.

Born in Martinique and raised in Queens, Karine is the daughter of Haitian immigrants. She was inspired when she heard a speech by Congresswoman Barbara Jordan – the first Black woman in politics she had ever witnessed. From there Karine pursued a life in public service.