Karim Shamsi-basha

About

Currently, I am a columnist with nj.com and mosaic.nj.com, a site that amplifies marginalized voices. In 2021, my children’s book, Cat Man of Aleppo, (Penguin Random House) won the Caldecott Honor, the Middle East Book Award and other accolades. The work tells the humanity story of Mohammad Al-Jaleel, who saved cats during civil war in my country of origin – Syria. This book has been translated into several languages. For the past three decades, I have worked as an editor, columnist and photojournalist documenting stories all over the world. My work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Sports Illustrated, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Cooking Light, al.com, the New York Times and the Washington Post. In 2005, I had an essay published in Alabama Christmas, alongside Helen Keller, Truman Capote and other noted authors. The Huffington Post hosted my blog – Arab in Alabama - from 2015 – 2019. In addition, I've had books published by Crane Hills Publishers, Books-A-Million, and The Salvation Army. In 2000, I founded a B2B publication, Do Tell Magazine. Then in 2001, I launched the lifestyle magazine, Portico, to premiere status in Birmingham for over a decade. In all my work, I am a proponent of our common humanity. My wish for a just and tolerant world is where my personal and professional goals intersect. Thanks for reading, Karim Shamsi-Basha