Washington, D.C., June 14, 2013 – The NoMa Business Improvement District presents a new video telling the story of Ibrahim Turayson, the first NoMa Hospitality Ambassador hired in 2007. The video was directed and produced by two NoMa staffers, Hospitality Ambassador Sam Rosales and Marketing & Events Associate Ali Newman.
The five-minute video describes Ibrahim’s harrowing escape from Sierra Leone in 1991 when civil war broke out and he was forced to leave his country. He traveled through Europe and New York before landing in Washington, D.C., as a refugee with only a plastic bag filled with a few possessions. “Just imagine,” said Ibrahim, “I came all the way from Africa with virtually nothing, until I got [to the United States]…When you come to this country, if you really focus you get the American dream. I got the American dream.” Mr. Turayson retired in 2012 after five years of steadfast service at the NoMa BID, and returned to Sierra Leone with his youngest son to help the people he left behind.
The organization is honored to highlight his triumphs. “Ibrahim’s story humbles and inspires me at the same time,” said NoMa BID President Robin-Eve Jasper. “I am thankful to Ibrahim for all he contributed to the NoMa neighborhood, especially his wonderful smile and warm-heartedness. I am honored to call him a friend.”
Watch this inspiring story at http://ow.ly/lkOTQ.
About NoMa
NoMa is a vibrant, growing neighborhood north of Union Station and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. In the last seven years, private developers have invested more than $5 billion in the 35-block areas in the NoMa BID boundary, and have plans to develop more than 20 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail space. NoMa is now home to 45,000 daytime workers, with 4.5 million SF leased in the last 4.5 years. More than 3,900 apartments have been recently completed or are under construction. NoMa has 13 modes of transportation, including two Red Line Metro stops, and the best biking facilities in D.C., with the only East Coast Bikestation, the 8-mile Metropolitan Branch Trail, and access to nine Capital Bikeshare stations. NoMa is the most connected neighborhood in Washington, D.C. The NoMa BID organizes more than 50 free community events each year to connect friends and neighbors. For more information about NoMa, visit nomabid.wpengine.com and sign up for our bimonthly newsletter. Follow us on Twitter @NoMaBID and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nomabid.
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For immediate release
News media contact:
Rachel Davis
202-997-3846