Amal Kassir

Amal Kassir is a Syrian-American spoken word poet, activist, and educator whose work explores the intersection of art, identity, and social justice. Kassir's poetry draws on her dual heritage as the daughter of a Syrian father and an American mother, addressing themes such as the war in Syria, experiences of marginalization in the United States, and the challenges faced by oppressed communities worldwide.

Kassir began her career as a slam poet with Denver's Minor Disturbance youth poetry team, which won the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival. She has since performed and taught in 13 countries, appearing in venues ranging from orphanages and refugee camps to youth prisons. Kassir is a recipient of multiple awards, including the Grand Slam at the Brave New Voices International Youth Competition. Her work has been featured on the TED stage and PBS NewsHour. Her poem "My Grandmother's Farm" blends imagery of Syrian rural life with the realities of conflict and has become one of her signature pieces.

Kassir is a two-time TEDx speaker, recognized for her talk "The Muslim on the Airplane." She has addressed the United Nations in Geneva in support of women wrongfully imprisoned and tortured in Syria. Kassir has also led protests against immigration restrictions and spoken at universities about Islamophobia and the diversity of the Muslim experience.

As a university student, Kassir designed an undergraduate degree titled Community Programming in Social Psychology, integrating child psychology, writing, and education to develop curricula for refugee children experiencing trauma. She leads "More than Metaphors," an education initiative for displaced Syrian children, and founded the Writing Hour and House of Amal to support writers and foster community engagement. Kassir offers a weekly Writing Hour, dedicating 60 minutes to global participants to explore writing and identity.

Kassir was named Poet Laureate of the Town of Hillsborough by the Hillsborough Arts Council, reflecting her role as a literary figure and community leader. Her work in spoken word poetry, education, and activism continues to influence audiences in university settings, refugee communities, and international forums.