Have you ever met someone whose story shifts your whole perspective?
In the latest episode of Real Talk, I sit down with the electrifying DJ Ahmed, an Iraqi-born refugee who turned the chaos of war and displacement into an unstoppable force for joy, healing, and unity.
š¶ From Basra to the Bay Ahmed shares his emotional journey: escaping war-torn Iraq at age nine, arriving in San Franciscoās Tenderloin district a different kind of battleground and discovering his gift for bringing people together through music.
š„ Why this episode hits hard:
Ahmed reveals how surviving bombings shaped his lifeās purpose: to create peace through joy.
They explore the deep roots of oppression and the shared humanity between divided communities.
A powerful look at identity, racism in corporate spaces, and why diversity isnāt just āgood businessā itās a moral imperative.
And of course, how Latinx culture, San Francisco, and a love for dabke, salsa, and reggaeton helped DJ Ahmed find home again.
This episode isnāt just a conversation itās a movement. Youāll laugh, cry, and maybe even dance in your seat šš½.
With love and realness,
GraceĀ
P.S. If youāve ever felt like an outsider, this oneās for you.
Connect with DJ AhmedĀ