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  • Fazia Deen on Law, Activism, and Oversight

    Fazia Deen on Law, Activism, and Oversight
    2025/12/13
    In this powerful and informative episode of The People's Podcast by Ismail, I sit down with Fauzia Deen, an activist lawyer and civilian board member of the Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Board in Virginia. Fauzia brings deep insight into the role of civilian oversight in policing and the ongoing work required to build accountability, transparency, and trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Our conversation explores Fauzia's personal journey into activism and law, what motivated her to serve on the civilian review board, and the real challenges faced when civilians are tasked with holding powerful systems accountable. She breaks down how the board functions, why civilian involvement matters, and what meaningful police reform looks like beyond slogans and headlines. This episode is an honest, necessary discussion about justice, civic responsibility, and the importance of community voices in shaping public safety. Fauzia Deen's work reminds us that change often happens at the local level-and that informed, engaged civilians play a critical role in that process. Professional Summary Purpose-driven leader with 20+ years of cross-sector experience in law, wellness administration, government relations, and culturally responsive community engagement. Proven ability to build strategic partnerships, launch public-facing programs, and lead mission-based initiatives that uplift diverse communities. Former Wellness Director, Deputy Director of Outreach & Government Relations, and Guardian ad Litem, known for advancing interfaith understanding and strengthening community wellness infrastructure. Skilled in program development, state and county collaboration, cultural competency, and public-access readiness planning-positioning me to support the Diyanet Center of America in expanding its gym, spa, and cultural spaces to the public while honoring Islamic values. Core Competencies * Strategic Community Engagement * Wellness Program Leadership * Interfaith & Cross-Cultural Outreach * Government Relations & Public Sector
Partnerships * Mission & Vision Alignment * Program and Policy Development * Grant & Bond Preparation Support * Public Education & Speaking * Trauma-Informed Practice * DEI & Community Wellness Professional Experience Deputy Director, Outreach & Government Relations Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center - Falls Church, VA | 2015-Present Professional Experience Deputy Director, Outreach & Government Relations Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center - Falls Church, VA | 2015-Present * Built and maintained strategic partnerships with county agencies, healthcare systems, public schools, and cultural institutions to improve access for underserved and immigrant communities. * Led interfaith engagement and represented the Center at government meetings, civic forums, and multicultural coalitions. * Designed and facilitated public-facing programs on senior wellness, domestic violence prevention, youth mentorship, safety awareness, and community education. * Coordinated high-impact cultural events-including the Solidarity Cup of Tea and Taste of Islam-that uplifted Muslim identity while fostering cross-cultural dialogue. * Collaborated with Fairfax County's Health Department, Police Department, and Equity Committees to address racial disparities in health, safety, and outreach effectiveness. * * 6:27 * •ll 5Gc * ••• * Coordinated high-impact cultural events— including the Solidarity Cup of Tea and Taste of Islam-that uplifted Muslim identity while fostering cross-cultural dialogue. * Collaborated with Fairfax County's Health Department, Police Department, and Equity Committees to address racial disparities in health , satety, and outreach effectiveness. • Evaluated county-level public-private partnerships as a member of the Fairfax Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee. Guardian ad Litem (GAL) State of Indiana | 2008-2014 * Represented vulnerable youth and older adults in court proceedings involving family safety, elder protection, and reunification. * Partnered with schools, social services, law enforcement, and community programs to build long-term support systems. * Conducted trauma-informed assessments and developed care plans centered on family stabilization. * * 6:27 * ••• * Corporate Wellness Director * Spiece Lifestyle Medical Center - Fort Wayne, IN | 2000-2007 * Directed operations of a major regional wellness and fitness center. * Designed preventive health and wellness initiatives, including intergenerational health programs and culturally responsive wellness education. • Managed staff, developed membership programs, and promoted community-wide wellness engagement. Clinic Manager MED I QWIK Urgent Care - Fort Wayne, IN | 1990-2007 * Supervised clinical operations while ensuring culturally sensitive care for diverse patient populations. * Established referral systems with hospitals, community groups, and mental health providers. * Law Clerk to Magistrate C...
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    1 時間
  • The Story Behind the Mic Reflections at 50: The Journey of Ismail Shahid Part two

    The Story Behind the Mic Reflections at 50: The Journey of Ismail Shahid Part two
    2025/11/03
    In this special 50th birthday episode of The People's Podcast, the mic is turned around as Ismail Shahid sits in the guest chair.
    Interviewed by his wife, Ismail reflects on his life journey — the highs, the hardships, and the lessons that shaped him into the man he is today. From humble beginnings to a life of purpose and growth, this conversation is filled with honesty, gratitude, and reflection. Join us as Ismail shares his story of faith, resilience, and what it truly means to keep growing, no matter where life takes you. Part two of one.
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    1 時間 3 分
  • The Story Behind the Mic Reflections at 50: The Journey of Ismail Shahid Part1

    The Story Behind the Mic Reflections at 50: The Journey of Ismail Shahid Part1
    2025/10/31
    In this special 50th birthday episode of The People's Podcast, the mic is turned around as Ismail Shahid sits in the guest chair.
    Interviewed by his wife, Ismail reflects on his life journey — the highs, the hardships, and the lessons that shaped him into the man he is today. From humble beginnings to a life of purpose and growth, this conversation is filled with honesty, gratitude, and reflection. Join us as Ismail shares his story of faith, resilience, and what it truly means to keep growing, no matter where life takes you. This interview was done in two parts. This is part one of two.
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    1 時間 34 分
  • "Grit and Grind: Daiyan Heard on Wrestling, Barbering, and Becoming a Man"

    "Grit and Grind: Daiyan Heard on Wrestling, Barbering, and Becoming a Man"
    2025/10/09
    In this inspiring episode, Ismail sits down with Daiyan Heard, a young college wrestler and skilled barber, to talk about life, discipline, and purpose. From the mat to the barbershop, Daiyan shares his personal journey—navigating the challenges of today’s world, staying focused through adversity, and finding balance between passion and responsibility. This conversation dives deep into what it means to grow up in modern times, overcome struggle, and stay grounded while chasing your dreams.

    Tune in for real talk, motivation, and wisdom from the next generation.

    •Support from older mentors or adults is not just “nice to have”—it often makes a measurable difference in school performance, life choices, and long-term success.
    •Intergenerational relationships (older generation guiding youth) help fill in gaps for those who may lack consistent support at home or in school.
    •Regular, consistent relationships are more powerful: one-off advice helps, but ongoing mentoring gives stronger results.
    •Beyond academics, the older generation helps shape identity, resilience, and moral grounding—all critical given the pressures youth face today.

    From these stats, you can draw connections that help illuminate your interview with Daiyan:
    •Having at least one trusted adult—coach, mentor, someone older—is important. In SC, most youth do have someone they can rely on, but “having someone who knows you well” doesn’t always mean that person is active or capable of guiding through adversity.
    •In sports (like wrestling), youth benefit greatly from social recognition, structure, discipline, and community. Given Daiyan’s dual life as both athlete and barber, that structure and mentorship from both coaches and master barbers can amplify positive outcomes.
    •Vocational mentorship (like in barbering) isn’t as well documented in peer-reviewed studies as sports mentoring, but organizations like the American Barber Association do engage youth apprenticeship and certification programs which implies formal support and structured paths.
    •When youth don’t perceive support (for instance, in sports that are less popular in their community), they may feel isolated. Daiyan’s perspectives on struggle and discipline could be richer by speaking to whether wrestling is embraced in his community, whether his barber craft is encouraged, etc.
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    45 分
  • Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health with Michael.

    Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health with Michael.
    2025/08/31
    In this episode of The People’s Podcast by Ismail, we sit down with Michael for an open and honest conversation about men’s mental health, the struggles he faced growing up, and how he continues to move forward in life. Michael shares his personal journey — the pain, the resilience, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

    Men’s mental health is an issue that doesn’t get talked about enough. The statistics are alarming: nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, and men die by suicide at a rate almost 4 times higher than women. Despite this, many men still feel pressure to stay silent, to “tough it out,” or to hide what they’re going through.

    Michael’s story is a powerful reminder that silence is not strength. By opening up about his experiences, he breaks down barriers and shows the importance of seeking help, finding hope, and building a healthier future.

    This conversation is raw, real, and needed. Whether you’re struggling yourself or want to better understand the challenges men face, this episode is for you.

    ⸻

    Hashtags & Keywords for Reach:
    #MensMentalHealth #ThePeoplesPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #BreakingTheSilence #MentalHealthMatters #GrowthMindset #Inspiration #PodcastInterview #Resilience #MentalHealthForMen

    Thank you for watching this important conversation with Michael. Men’s mental health is something we all need to talk about more.

    💬 Share your thoughts in the comments:
    •What part of Michael’s story spoke to you most?
    •How do you think we can break the silence around men’s mental health?

    If you found this episode valuable, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share so more people can join the conversation. Your voice matters!

    #ThePeoplesPodcast #MensMentalHealth
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    54 分
  • “No Excuses, Just Action” featuring A. Wahid, Founder of NEZ

    “No Excuses, Just Action” featuring A. Wahid, Founder of NEZ
    2025/08/01
    In this powerful episode, Ismail sits down with A. Wahid, the visionary founder of NEZ — The No Excuse Zone. From humble beginnings to building a movement rooted in discipline, accountability, and self-determination, Wahid shares the mindset behind NEZ and how it’s inspiring people to push past their limits and eliminate excuses from their lives.

    We dive deep into his journey, the core principles of NEZ, and how he’s using this platform to challenge others to rise above their circumstances — mentally, spiritually, and physically. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a student, or simply seeking motivation, this conversation is packed with raw truth, practical gems, and spiritual insight.

    🔊 Listen in as we explore:
    •The birth and meaning of No Excuse Zone
    •Overcoming inner and outer limitations
    •The role of faith, structure, and mindset in success
    •How NEZ is impacting lives around the country

    This isn’t just motivation — it’s a wake-up call. No more excuses. Just action.
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    40 分
  • The People's Podcast at ALA

    The People's Podcast at ALA
    2025/07/06
    Join host Ismail Shahid for a special edition recorded live at the 2025 ALA Conference in Philadelphia. In this episode, we explore the energy, stories, and voices from the heart of America’s largest library gathering. From passionate librarians to community leaders and authors, “Philly Stories” is a celebration of literacy, learning, and the people who make it all possible.
    Tune in for conversations that inspire, inform, and remind us why libraries still matter.
    The short talk we heard was from Dr Jamison the new appointed president of literacy Nation.
    Dr. Jamison is…..
    Librarianship at Illinois State University. Professor Jamison has more than 17 years of experience working in education and libraries. She speaks internationally on library inclusivity, intellectual freedom, and the interplay of race, power, and privilege in children's books. Her research involves examining equity issues in library services and the role that libraries play in either perpetuating or mitigating systems of inequity. She received her Master of Teaching from Concordia University and her Master of Library Science and Ph.D. in Information Studies from Dominican University School of Library and Information Science in River Forest, Illinois. She is currently the immediate past chair for ALA's Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Roundtable, which promotes multiculturalism in librarianship, and a library ambassador for Lee and Low Books. #podcastforthepeople1 #podcast #changeyourmindsetchangeyourlife #librarian
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    26 分
  • FREEDOM

    FREEDOM
    2025/06/08
    In this powerful and thought-provoking interview with Podcast for the People, Ismail Shahid explores the true meaning of freedom through three critical lenses: religious, economic, and social.

    From spiritual independence and the right to practice faith freely, to the impact of economic systems on personal liberty, and the societal structures that shape our daily lives—this conversation goes beyond surface-level discussion. I break down how freedom is often misunderstood, and why reclaiming it starts with awareness, action, and unity.

    🔹 Religious Freedom: What does it really mean to be free in your faith?
    🔹 Economic Freedom: Are we truly in control of our financial lives?
    🔹 Social Freedom: How do societal norms and systems impact our choices?

    Whether you’re seeking clarity, empowerment, or just a different perspective, this episode invites you to think deeper.

    👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more honest conversations that matter.

    #Freedom #PodcastForThePeople1 #Ismailshahid #ReligiousFreedom #EconomicFreedom #SocialJustice #Empowerment
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    23 分