Khalil Munir | Being a voice for NICU babies with Hidden Disabilities

We frequently speak with parents about their experience of having a baby in the NICU. Today, we get the incredible opportunity to speak with a former preemie who came into the world at just 1lb. 4oz., at a time when a premature baby his size had a very small chance of survival. Khalil Munir did survive and thrive after an extended stay in the NICU. Today, Khalil Munir is a noted theater artist, choreographer, and arts educator. He conceived and stars in the autobiographical stage production One Pound, Four Ounces combining dance, hip hop, percussion, and monologue to convey a raw, yet inspirational series of vignettes from his complicated childhood. The show has been mounted at Freedom Theatre, the First Person Arts Festival, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, and through an ongoing residency at the National Museum of American Jewish History. This production is the inspiration for the documentary What’s in a Name?, which highlights self-determination and intergenerational healing among Black men. He is co-producing and co-writing the film.Khalil has been cast in numerous stage and screen productions as an actor and dancer, including Karl “Dice” Raw’s The Last Jimmy. He has served on the faculty at Philadelphia’s historic Freedom Theatre, Delaware Valley Friends School and Temple University, and he has helped train educators who work with students with learning disabilities. Khalil graduated from Adelphi University and is originally from South Philadelphia.On this episode you will hear: • Khalil’s personal story and early start in life. • How Khalil felt as a child, when he felt as though he was unable to learn the same way as his peers because of his dyslexia. • What moment helped Kahlil realize he was learning differently. • What dyslexia actually means. • What steps Khalil’s family took to advocate for him throughout school. • Khalil’s children’s book. • The simple phrase, from Khalil’s book, that brought tears to Martha (Today is a Good Day’s Co-Founder) to tears. A phrase that relates to so many families who have children with special educational and physical needs. • The pivotal moment for Khalil, when he accepted his dyslexia and began using it as his “superpower.” • Khalil also talks about representation and, as he shares in his book, showing little brown boys they are powerful no matter what their circumstance may be. You’ll hear what Khalil believes is the biggest impact he has been able to make on others through his work today and through his story. • Khalil will discuss what it means to “wear your crown.” • About Khalil’s show “1lb. 4oz,” and where you can see the show.Please subscribe to NICU Today: A podcast by TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.