NEWS

ISF scholars regularly publish books and articles, appear in the news, and receive awards for their work as advocates, policymakers, filmmakers, and more.

ISF Alum Elected to Office

2016 ISF Scholar Antonio López won his campaign to the East Palo Alto, California City Council in fall 2020. He recently created an ad hoc committee within the council to address racial and ethnic inequality in the area. The committee will be composed of local leaders, most of whom are people of color.

Film Grantee Documentary Selected at PAFF

Comin' Up Short, a documentary created by ISF Film Grantees, Hakeem Khaliq and Queen Muhammad Ali, was selected for the 29th Annual Pan African Film Festival. PAFF is known as the most prestigious Black film festival in the world, and is organized by Danny Glover, the late Ja'net DuBois, and Ayuko Babu. The film was also featured at various film festivals across the globe, including the Berlin Lift Off Film Festival.

ISF Alum Publishes Analysis on Housing Market Discrimination

New analysis by 2012 scholar Raheem Hanifa, research analyst at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, shows that high-income Black homeowners receive higher mortgage interest rates than low-income white homeowners. Discrimination in mortgage markets has been a major factor impeding Black households' access to homeownership and wealth-building.

Youngest Muslim Elected to Office Receives Award

In February 2021 2018 ISF alumna Bushra Amiwala received the highly coveted Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) award for exemplary community service and youth excellence. The AACC recognizes several awardees for their work advancing their objectives for youth. A member of the Skokie, Illinois Board of Education, Bushra is the youngest elected Muslim to office.

2020 Scholar Awarded Best Documentary Film

2020 ISF Scholar Nimo Omar was awarded Best Documentary Film at the Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival (BMFF) for her short film "Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota: Nimo Omar." Founded in 2018, BMFF is an annual one-day event of film showcases that profile stories by "Black Muslim Girl" filmmakers and creative talent in film, television, and the digital space.

ISF Alumna Highlighted for Work to Increase Inclusivity

2016 ISF Scholar Abrar Omeish was recently highlighted for her work to make Virginia's schools more equitable and inclusive. The 26-year-old is the first Libyan-American elected official in the U.S., one of the first Muslim women elected in Virginia, and the youngest ever in her role.

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