Our America launched on Flag Day back in June of last year. When we launched, we set out to do something big: show that America’s diversity is what should unite us, not divide us. We set out to build a movement that believes that diversity in America makes us stronger, more empathetic and brings about equal opportunity to all of us.
At Our America, we believe we are all united by a shared pride in, connection to, and responsibility for our community and country. Last year we had the chance to meet several inspiring people who encompass our country’s founding values.
Here are some of the stories that inspired our readers the most:
Stan Pearson II, Atlanta, Georgia – An entrepreneur, storyteller, and prolific motivational speaker.
“I wasn’t Black enough for my Black friends and I was too Black for my white friends. People were telling me I didn’t love who I was. I felt like I was a good kid, a nice guy and I just wanted to be accepted as a human.”
Tahmineh Dehbozorgi, Washington, D.C. – A law student who recently became an American citizen. She moved here from Iran, where her family lived a relatively privileged life, but she still didn’t have true freedom, which she appreciates now more than ever.
“No matter what they tell you, the American dream is not dead. I believe in it.”
King Randall, Albany, Georgia – A young Black education entrepreneur in Georgia starting a school for underprivileged boys.
“So many boys are missing a role model – more than 95 percent of boys that I work with don’t have a father in the picture.”
Dr. Wenyuan Wu, Tifton, Georgia – a prolific author, and the Executive Director at Californians for Equal Rights Foundation.
“Look anywhere else in modern human history – you will find the ideas of collectivism have never translated into tangible goals of human progress because we can’t be crudely confined by any group label. We can’t all just forego our individual differences and fit into groups. We’re all different at the individual level – we’re not defined by our group characteristics.”
Arthur Zards, Naperville, Illinois – A Chicago-based entrepreneur and son of Latvian immigrants who has run TedXNaperville for over 10 years.
“If you are willing to put in the work, this country still has an abundance of opportunity. We are further along than people realize.”
Barbie George, Newport Beach, California – A community activist working to inspire change in Orange County.
“After many years of trying, I am the first person of color ever appointed to a commission or a committee. An afro-latina woman in Newport Beach.”
Olajuwon Ajanaku, Atlanta, Georgia – A pro-golfer and entrepreneur working to raise awareness about golf among youth and non-golfers.
“My objective every single day is to be who I wanted to see out on the golf course, who I wanted to see in life when I was a kid. I want to say the things that I would have wanted to hear that would have pushed me further. Do the things that make the next generation rise. My goal every day is to push them to make them see that anything is really possible with the right plan.”
Thank you for being part of Our America in 2022.
If you want to share your story, please reach out to us here. We can’t wait to see what 2023 brings!