In late 2016, a 6-year old boy named Alex Myteberi wrote a letter to President Obama offering to help a five-year-old Syrian refugee boy — if you recall, the iconic image of the horrific conflict in Syria showed a young boy covered in blood and dust in an ambulance after his house in Aleppo was destroyed in a blast.
Obama not only read Alex’s letter — but he celebrated his kindness at the White House, and as part of an international refugee speech.
His mom, Val Myteberi, held back tears and disbelief as she got the call from the White House that day. She may not have realized the tremendous impact her positive influence at home had on her son then, but she’s reflecting on it today — right here on this episode of the Rebel Leadership Podcast.
Val is the Associate Dean of Graduate, International & Online Programs at Cardozo Law in New York City. She is as kind as she is smart, determined as she is radiant, positive as she is impactful. Her story of immigrating to the US begins washing dishes to learn English, and can be fast-forwarded to influencing lives through education. We reflect on all things positivity, and the role leaders play in shaping future generations.