In a polarized world, we have to search for ways to find commonality with our neighbors and oftentimes, when we get out of our comfort zone we realize we have more in common than we may think. This workshop is designed to help you reimagine the way you pursue peace in your community, as you seek to help heal all that’s tearing us apart. 

Speakers:

Saadia believes meaningful friendships can be found in unexpected places. Her work to show neighbors how similar we are regardless of ethnic or religious differences led her to Preemptive Love. As a Gathering Coordinator, Saadia hopes to spread this message to communities nationwide. If she’s not participating in an event around town, you may find Saadia picking up after her two girls, reminding her husband where he left his wallet, or saving the last three bananas for her famous banana bread. 

Maxine is Program Manager for Common Ground USA at Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organization. She has worked at Search for five years in the Washington, DC and Rabat, Morocco offices. In these roles, Maxine has led the design of global programs on religious freedom and women’s empowerment, researched violent extremism in the Middle East and North Africa, and strengthened Search’s collaboration with the US government, the UN, and peer organizations among other projects. Outside of Search, she serves as the Maryland Director of Urban Rural Action and as a dialogue facilitator with Soliya and First Year Connect, a virtual exchange program supporting college students to understand and communicate across differences.

Nigel is our Generation Peace Experience Coordinator and West Virginian native who picked up and moved to Atlanta, GA, almost four years ago. He studied Business Management, Public Administration, and Marketing at Marshall University. Nigel is an artist and educator by trade, using creativity and communication to bridge gaps between people groups and facilitate an overall understanding of our individual experiences. If there’s food to be eaten or coffee available for consumption, he will be first in line. International travel, insightful cultural experiences, and challenging conversations top the list of ways Nigel likes to spend his free time.