The immediate years after 9/11 were profoundly challenging for American Muslims, who struggled to find their voice while being targeted for suspicion by law enforcement, media and the public alike. Meanwhile, their community institutions were in their foundational stages and largely unconnected. That pressure cooker environment is part of what sparked a groundbreaking and transformative program to support the emerging leaders of the American Muslim community — the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute (AMCLI).

As Executive Director of the USC Center for Religion & Civic Culture, BRIE LOSKOTA‘s work and research focus on how religions change and make change in the world.  She is also co-founder and senior advisor to AMCLI and a trainer-facilitator with the United States Institute of Peace’s Generation Change program, where she has trained young leaders from across the Middle East, Africa, South America and Southeast Asia in leadership capacity and conflict management while also fostering a vibrant network among them.

Brie also works with local, state and federal government agencies to ensure more effective partnership with faith communities on issues including public health, mental health and disasters.

In this episode, Edina and Brie talk about the origins of AMCLI, Brie’s roots in Southern California, what she’s learned from more than a decade of training emerging leaders around the world, what it means to be a good ally, and how to leverage difference for new possibilities.

Links to Brie’s work and projects mentioned in this episode:

* Brie’s website

* USC Center for Religion & Civic Culture

* American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute

* The Influential Network for a New Generation of American Muslim Leaders (Religion & News)

* AMCLI co-founder & senior advisor Nadia Roumani

* Hebrew Union College & Rabbi Reuven Firestone

* U.S. Institute of Peace’s Generation Change

* Brie’s acceptance speech for the El-Hibri Foundation’s Fearless Ally Award