our purpose
In an era of misinformation and outrage, one of the most fraught relationships is the one between 3.5 million American Muslims and their neighbors. This project is Round Earth Media’s contribution to addressing that tension.
Time and again, the arts and culture have proven to be among the most effective ways of overcoming misunderstanding. Literature, fashion and food have a role, as well as music, drama, comedy, rituals and celebrations. One of the surest ways of putting culture before a broader audience is to share the stories of the thoughtful, energetic people who create it.
Round Earth Media is reaching out across the country in an ambitious two-year effort to dig out underreported stories. We are seeking examples of those who are using culture to put an innovative spin on the American Dream, and those who are shutting out the vitriol to learn more about each other’s lives, culture and traditions. Our aim is to give them the widest possible audience – through publication in mainstream media, both in the United States and in Muslim-majority countries.
Recent Stories:
BERKELEY — Given her family history, Salma Arastu may be one of the last people you’d expect to be helping to modernize Islamic calligraphy. Her Hindu parents fled their home in Pakistan, resettling…
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When she faced harassment, Fauzia Lala couldn’t find training that would allow her to protect herself with both actions and words, so she founded her own self-defense school. Now, she helps dozens…
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Some critics voice concerns they never act on. When Hoda Katebi couldn’t find the kind of fashion company she wanted to do business with, she created it herself. How is her vision…
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The war in Aleppo, Syria, destroyed Safiya’s life. Her husband, son, mother, brothers and sisters were all killed in the war. Safiya managed to escape with her remaining four children to Jordan,…
Read MoreOur Method
At Round Earth Media, we believe that there is power in good journalism; that there is a hunger for real information extending deep into our growing “news deserts.”
We also believe that, even as the collapse of their traditional model has hollowed out U.S. media organizations, a generation of young journalists is eager for the chance to reinvent that model for the 21st century.
We know the stories haven’t disappeared; it’s just that there often is no one left to tell them.
Our experienced editors prioritize finding knowledgeable young journalists, and then work with them to create vivid stories – in works, in images and in sound – that meet the craft’s highest standards
Meet our people
Mary Stucky
Founder
Mark Porubcansky
Advisor
Regina McCombs
Photo Advisor
Beverley Abel
Advisor
Leda Hartman
Advisor
Hisham Aidi
Advisor
Nesima Aberra
Contributing Writer
Aida Alami
Contributing Writer
Aqilah Allaudeen
Contributing writer
Jana Ašenbrennerová
Photojournalist
Eslah Attar
Photojournalist
Sarah Conway
Contributing writer
Lynnea Domienik
Contributing producer
Melissa Bunni Elian
Photojournalist
Stephen Franklin
Contributing writer
Thomas Franklin
Photojournalist
Hallie Golden
Contributing writer
Otis Gray
Contributing producer
Zahra Hankir
Contributing writer
Pinar Istek
Photojournalist
Megan Kamerick
Contributing producer
Lori King
Photojournalist
Graham Liddell
Contributing Writer
Paul Middlestaedt
Photojournalist
Maryam Mohamed
Contributing producer
Sonia Narang
Contributing writer
Stephanie Russell-Kraft
Contributing writer
Ellen Schmidt
Photojournalist
Areeba Shah
Contributing writer
Sasha-Ann Simons
Contributing producer
Mariam Sobh
Contributing producer
Jovelle Tamayo
Photojournalist
Kimberly Winston
Contributing Writer
Maria Ines Zamudio
Contributing producer
In partnership with
