Kalia Abiade, VP of Pillars Fund, on Faith, Family, and the Future We Fight For

In this episode of the American Muslim Podcast, hosted by Imam Tariq El-Amin and presented by Bayan on Demand, we engage in a deep conversation with Kalia Abiade, the Executive Vice President at Pillars Fund. Kalia shares her insights on growing up in California, her family's migration experiences, and the impact these have had on her life and work in advocacy, media policy, and philanthropy. We discuss the importance of storytelling, the notion of objectivity in journalism, and the essential role of preserving community narratives. Kalia underscores the power of connection, sharing stories within the community, and the faith-driven commitment to social change. Join us as we delve into her inspiring journey and the work being done by the Pillars Fund to support and amplify Muslim voices in creative and civic spaces.

00:00 Introduction to Bayan on Demand

01:00 Welcome to the American Muslim Podcast

01:09 Meet Kalia Abiade: A Voice for Justice

02:25 Formative Experiences in California

03:15 Migration Stories and Family History

06:41 Life in Chicago and Connection to the Land

09:59 Cultural Shock and Becoming Muslim in Florida

12:51 Journalistic Integrity and Objectivity

20:14 Pillars Fund and Muslim Narrative Change

33:54 Exploring the Creative Approach to Muslim Storytelling

34:23 The Impact of Horror Genre on Diverse Audiences

35:56 Challenges and Gaps in Muslim Representation in Media

37:20 The American Muslim Documentary: Filling Historical Gaps

39:43 The Power of Personal Stories in History

42:13 The Role of Journalism in Shaping Narratives

45:03 Legacy Media vs. New Media: Preserving Stories

50:33 Leadership and Inspiration in Community Work

58:33 Final Reflections and Closing Remarks

bayanonline.org

Subscribe to Bayan on demand at https://shorturl.at/wlQl7

Donate to the Muhammad Ali Scholarship at https://pages.donately.com/bayan/campaign/2028-endowment-campaign/donate

Learn more about Pillars Fund @ https://pillarsfund.org/

Cover Art & Intro Music - Tariq I. El-Amin @ImamTariqElamin

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major streaming platforms.

📲 Stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook

Follow @TheAmericanMuslimPodcast for episode updates, highlights, and community reflections.

Follow host @ImamTariqElAmin for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and more.