#121: Real Talk with Ahmed Hashem - also known as DJ Ahmed

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.🎶 From Basra to the Bay Ahmed shares his emotional journey: escaping war-torn Iraq at age nine, arriving in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district a different kind of battleground and discovering his gift for bringing people together through music.🔥 Why this episode hits hard:Ahmed reveals how surviving bombings shaped his life’s 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 isn’t just “good business” it’s 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 isn’t just a conversation it’s a movement. You’ll laugh, cry, and maybe even dance in your seat 💃🏽.With love and realness,Grace P.S. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, this one’s for you.Connect with DJ Ahmed Website