The why

One day I asked my dad what life was like growing up in Communist Poland. 

He replied: "I can't tell you. You don't know what questions to ask." I was frustrated, but I came to appreciate the larger lesson tucked away within his resistance.

Be curious, patient, and persistent. Great stories go beyond the surface, and great storytelling expands what we experience while showing us a way back to ourselves.

My interest in human rights inspired me to tell stories of people who fight for their livelihoods, beliefs, and dreams. A child of immigrants, I developed a grounding work ethic and respect for others that motivated my early work with the Latino community in Austin, Texas.

From the Andean mountains in Peru and the savannahs of Mozambique to the Texas-Mexico border and the District of Columbia, I have brought to life the stories of immigrants, activists, farmers, and small business owners. This love for storytelling has extended to my own story, chronicling the life of my parents and their journey from Poland to the U.S. in 1974.

This site highlights my efforts to share these stories with nonprofit donors and policymakers. Using blogs, video, photography, social media, podcasting, and long-form feature writing, I have leveraged storytelling across diverse medium to inspire change. 

Too many stories like these go untold, yet some have the power to inspire connection and understanding across racial, class, and generational divides. I uncover these stories by listening, exploring, and building trust. I ask questions and share my own story to expand what audiences experience while showing them a way back to themselves. 

Thanks for visiting. Start exploring below.

go beyond the surface. | akosiewicz@gmail.com