Dearborn Girl

Join us as we introduce our new host, Zena! In this episode, we get to know who Zena is, discuss carving out a new path in affirming Arab women's identity, and the changes that are to come with passing the mic. 

doesn't it feel like we're always voting but never going anywhere? (excuse us while we sip tea). anyway, our BRAND NEW host Zena (

In the season 4 opener, Ali Abazeed and Bilal Baydoun join Rima and Yasmeen to discuss the torrential rains that left thousands of homes in Dearborn in waist-high water. The rains left a trail of destruction that exposed something we've all known for years: local government is not serving the people it was elected to serve. Listen along, as Ali and Bilal discuss the article they wrote for Bridge Michigan (https://www.bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/first-person-dearborns-devastating-flood-exposes-mistrust-deep-divides) detailing the events that have happened over the last month. 

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins Yasmeen to talk about why we need to vote for our community, the best advice Bernie Sanders gave to him, and why he wants you to text 10 of your friends right now.

In this #DGTakes, Rima and Yasmeen talk about their real feelings on the upcoming elections and how our community can pressure politicians to meet our needs.

Rima and Yasmeen are joined by educator, community leader, and Dearborn Public Schools school board candidate to talk about the importance of voting and the ways that education can drive change.

Zeinab Alghanem joins Yasmeen to talk racial justice, demanding transparency around police violence, and the ways in which Dearborn Public Schools can provide mental health resources to our students.

In the fifth episode of the #AmplifyBlackVoices series, Martha - a longtime educator/administrator in Dearborn Public Schools - discusses what it was like growing up Black in both sides of Wyoming, as well as raising children in Dearborn later in her journey. She urges the Arab community to understand our history, and not play the role of the oppressor in our interactions with our Black neighbors and peers.

Muna joins Yasmeen to chat on IGLive for the fourth episode of #AmplifyBlackVoices to discuss the ways that racism appears in the Arab world and American society, the impacts racial trauma has on communities, and the importance of healing and empathy.

Rima interviews Diana Mansour as she shares the story of her brother Ali’s traumatizing experience with police profiling him for being Arab and Muslim. In this conversation, they draw connections between the War on Terror and the War on Drugs, highlight the injustices of mass incarceration, and urge the Arab community to be on the right side of history in supporting our Black brothers and sisters.

Fellow DG Mariam Doudi joins us for episode 2 of #AmplifyBlackVoices to discuss how Arabs can check their biases, use their platform to hold others in our community accountable, and the ways in which Dearborn can be more welcoming to the Black community.

Straight from our DG Instagram Live, this episode of #AmplifyBlackVoices, Rima interviews Michael Williams, a loving father, artist, athlete and Fordson Alumni. Michael discusses why Dearborn needs to wake up, the deep divisiveness that runs through the community, and the ways in which we can continuously hold ourselves accountable to being anti-racist.

In S3 E2, Empowered Arab Sisterhood "sisters" Hamsa, Jenna, & Silan discuss being part of the first Arab sorority at the University of Michigan. Listen along, as these DGs discuss the ways in which they promote Arab culture and women empowerment on campus.

To kick off our third season season titled "Never Met a Stranger," Mariam, Noora, Sarah, and Zena meet for the first time to play our #MissingPages card game where strangers find out they have more in common than they think. Listen along as the DGs talk therapy, dating, fashion, and more!

To end season 2, we are sharing our first Missing Page. Missing Pages will give our community a chance to reclaim the stories that we have been told to tear out of our books. Listen along, as Sara shares an anonymous submission submitted by a listener and discusses her own experience with domestic violence. This episode may contain triggering and/or sensitive material. Domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual assault, and abuse are some topics mentioned. If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255,) the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233,) and in our community you can contact ACCESS or First-Step (734-722-6800).

In S2 E9, Nada, Nour, and Sammar join Rima to talk about the ways in which mental health issues are widespread in Dearborn. Listen along, as we discuss the reasons why we're so afraid to talk about the elephant in the room.

In S2 E8, author and illustrator, Huda Fahmy, joins Yasmeen to talk about how she breaks down misconceptions of Muslim women in her book, Yes, I'm Hot in This. Listen along as Huda talks mental health, how universal our problems are, and her complicated relationship with Dearborn.

In S2 E7, Jean joins Rima to talk about the framework that built the women of Dearborn. Listen along as Jean describes Dearborn: then and now.

In S2 E6, Nadine Jawad sits down with Yasmeen to talk about how she navigates being a DG at Oxford and her hopes for the future of Dearborn.

In S2 E5, Salwa shares the path she took to really love Dearborn, her identity, and herself.

In S2 E4, Aziza, Rohnda and Sahar join Rima to talk about implications for the Palestinian community when it comes to BDS, foreign policy, and (of course) Dearborn.

In S2 E3, Tuhfa and Zainab join Rima to talk about education and its impact on the Arab/Muslim community of Dearborn.

In S2 E2, Saja, Sara, and Yusra join Yasmeen to talk about mental health implications on Dearborn and the entire Arab/Muslim community.

In the season 2 opener, Hajji Najah Bazzy walks us through the story of Zaman International and the ways in which being a Dearborn Girl has prepared her for the role of CEO and humanitarian.

In S1E10, Narissa Ayoub, Zahra Huber, and Dana Mohammad join Yasmeen for the season finale to talk about how sexual harassment has impacted women in the Dearborn community.

In S1 E9, hijabi, sister, and mental health supporter Fatma Wutwut shares how being the only person in her family to grow up in Dearborn has lead to not only her differing perspective but her deep Dearborn accent. Listen along as Fatma talks about how complex the ethnic hierarchy in Dearborn can be and what wearing a hijab means to her.

In S1 E8, makeup enthusiast, supporter of all women, and realist Zara Makki shares her inspiration as an artist and what she wants every girl who sits in her makeup chair to feel. Listen along as Zara talks about how she chose makeup over medicine and recognized her own internal power.

In S1 E7, global citizen, alchemist, and humanitarian Maali Luqman shares how growing up in the South End of Dearborn has shaped literally everything she does. Listen along as Maali talks about studying at Harvard, being an author, and her hopes for Dearborn.

In S1 E6, avid traveler, artist, and resilient Dearborn Girl Mariam Doudi shares the ways in which she navigates her intersectional Afro-Arab identity at the University of Michigan and (of course) Dearborn. Listen along as Mariam talks being the “only” in most rooms.

In S1EP5, Rima and Yasmeen introduce listeners to the "DG Takes" where all things Dearborn are discussed. This week's topic is the idea of "being "Dearborn" outside of Dearborn." Listen along as Rima talks about the first time she realized she was "so Dearborn" and Yasmeen questions if she'll ever have a Dearborn accent.

In S1E4, Dearborn baller, Edinboro commit, and future WNBA star Rana Elhusseini shares some of her experiences being the only Arab and Muslim on her AAU basketball team, and gearing up to be the only Arab/Muslim on her college basketball team at Edinboro. So much of Rana’s ambition to excel in basketball comes from being a Dearborn Girl with something to prove. The lessons from this episode most definitely apply on and off the court.

In S1E3, Khulud Fidama and Faduma Mohamed join Rima and Yasmeen for the first episode of the Sabaya Series, where you will be escorted into the “girl’s room.” Listen along as we discuss relationships, the 5 love languages, and focusing on self-love when it matters the most.

In S1E2, hijabi in a white coat, medicine enthusiast, and bint Al-Janoub Batoul Aoun shares her riveting narrative getting to Dearborn after fleeing the ‘06 war in Lebanon. Batoul recently graduated with her degree in medicine & has moved on to complete her residency at the University of Michigan hospital. Listen along as you learn about Batoul’s experience as a Lebanese immigrant torn between the two places she will always call “home.”

Avid traveler, coffee connoisseur & proud bookworm Mariam Jalloul tells us her story getting to & through Harvard. As an East Dearborn native and Fordson High school graduate, Mariam’s Harvard story was unheard of during her time. This story is especially relevant today in light of the several [visibly] Muslim Dearborn Public Schools students who have made their way to Ivy Leagues. Mariam was truly a pioneer who forced open the floodgates for our community’s trajectory in educational excellence.