Brunch Food and Storytelling: Fatma Al-Baiti and Amal Jibril on Changing Migration Narratives
“I designed these pop-up brunches to not only tell people about the food but to tell people how I grew up eating those things, how I would use my hands, how our culture is all about sharing food.” — Fatma Al-Baiti
“So many people are speaking for the refugees when they can speak for themselves … It is that mentality that we have, that we have to speak for them and that we have to save them, but the reality of the situation is that they are more than capable of doing a lot.” — Amal Jibril
At 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 we invite guests to talk with us about migration. On the 26th of April, Project Phoenix’s Michael Göcken welcomed 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹 and 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮 𝗔𝗹-𝗕𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶 to talk about their experiences as entrepreneurs and how we can better support migrant entrepreneurs and build bridges between communities.
𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮 𝗔𝗹-𝗕𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶 is a content creator, part-time entrepreneur & founder of Meet me at Fatma’s; a series of Yemeni pop-up brunches in London. Fatma studied business and aspires to produce more food-related content which spreads awareness on how food is a door to understanding people’s cultures, which also caught Vice Magazine’s attention.
𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹 describes herself as a retired Dentist, a UNHCR full-timer, Migration Jam Founder, and a Creative Empath. Originally from Somalia, Amal was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, studied in Egypt, then moved to Sudan. She now lives and works in Ethiopia.
We are happy to announce that Project Phoenix has partnered with Migration Jam to develop this year’s conference. Migration Jam 2020 will be held online. We seek to create a multifaceted event which connects people to challenge the narrative around migration through positive storytelling. This year, we will connect virtually with speakers sharing their stories and impact on their communities, in light of the challenges which COVID-19 presents. Please join us via Zoom on the 13th and 14th of June to become part of an online community, which seeks to share and inspire through positive storytelling.
Get Involved:
If you want to be a guest of one of our Phoenix Talks or have ideas and suggestions, please get in touch via contact@project-phoenix.eu. We look forward to your contribution.
Project Phoenix is a young European NGO and social enterprise working to empower migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in an urban setting, using the best of a social innovation playbook. Premised on the pillars of sustainability, economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, socio-cultural integration through professional-skills training and mentorship, we leverage our global networks and fill gaps that legacy institutions and international organisations are often unable to. We are limber, agile and use a systems-thinking, non-prescriptive approach to present feasible solutions.
Project Phoenix is currently running a Pilot Project on the ground in Cyprus. Motivated individuals apply to join as fellows to receive assistance through skills training and entrepreneurial support. Fellows contribute to their local community through the establishment of their own social enterprise which allows them to pay it forward. This innovative approach encourages the sustainable empowerment of refugees and migrants and the development of a circular and sustainable economic and social movement on the island.
