Voice, Faith, & Staying True to Your Values with Deanna Othman

In this episode of Siti’s Stories, Laila sits down with Deanna Othman; a writer, journalist, educator, and community advocate and organizer.

In this conversation, she reflects on the realities of working within media and the moment she realized that pursuing mainstream journalism would come at the cost of her values. From there, she made a different choice. One rooted in integrity, in education, and in staying aligned with what she believes.

We also talk about how that shows up in her classroom and how she teaches her students to think critically about what they’re consuming, especially in a time where information is constant, fast-moving, and often shaped by AI. Also how intentional she is about making sure her students see themselves reflected in what they read and learn.

She also shares a meaningful moment meeting Ta-Nehisi Coates, a writer she has long admired.

And woven throughout all of this… is her Siti.

Deanna shares the story of her grandmother, who came to Chicago after the Nakba and held tightly to her faith, her culture, and her values. She passed that down in a way that still shapes Deanna today. Especially when it comes to prayer, conviction, and not being afraid to stand on truth.

This episode is about staying rooted in your values, your voice, and the path you choose to walk.

🔗 Connect with Deanna: @deannaothman

🔗 Connect with Siti’s Stories:
Instagram: @sitis.stories
Website: sitisstories.com

📌 Resources from this episode:

American Muslims for Palestine (AMP): https://www.ampalestine.org
AMP Chicago: https://www.ampalestine.org/chapters
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates