Background and Journey to the U.S.

Samaneh “Sama” Faramarzi, originally from Iran, always dreamed of a life in the United States. In 2015, her dreams came true when she and her family moved to Dayton, Ohio, to begin a new chapter. On November 18, 2015, they arrived eager to start fresh. After settling in the city, they received help from a friend during their first month, and with legal documents in hand, they began building their new life.

Challenges and Pursuing Dreams

While raising her two-year-old child and working part-time to support her family, Sama, who studied art in Iran, always kept her dream of being an artist alive. After five years of adjusting to life in the U.S., she decided to turn her love for art into a creative outlet once again. Additionally, inspired by her father’s passion for Persian cuisine, she began designing and baking cakes at home, eventually earning a Home-Baking License to legally operate her business, Sama’s Sweet Kitchen. Through this, she shares the rich flavors of Persian sweets with her new community in Dayton. "Life is never without challenges," Sama says. "Every time you make it through one, when you look back, you suddenly realize how strong you were - even though you didn't know it at the time. And that's when you truly start to believe in yourself!" 

Contributions to Dayton

Sama’s artistic journey in Dayton flourished with the support of Welcome Dayton. Through the program, she was able to showcase her work and integrate into the community. For instance, as a participant in the Global Artisan Market at 2nd Street Market and in the New American Artist Exhibit at Dayton Metro Library, Sama continues to share her artistic talent and Persian culture with Daytonians. She served as a Cultural Consultant at The Human Race Theater during the performance of ‘A Distinct Society,’ helping the cast understand Persian culture and sharing both her art and baked goods with the audience. For three years now, Sama has worked as a Bilingual New Arrivals Specialist at Dayton Public Schools, helping students and families who speak Dari and Farsi.

The Future of Diversity in Dayton

Sama is optimistic about the future of diversity in Dayton. She has seen firsthand the beauty of collaboration among people from different cultures and languages. She believes that as more immigrants come to Dayton, the city will continue to grow as a welcoming home where diverse communities can thrive together. Looking ahead, Sama hopes to collaborate with the city of Dayton to host summer art classes and continue contributing to Welcome Dayton.

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Sama's story is a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and community. From her passion for art and Persian cuisine to her commitment to helping other immigrants, Sama has made Dayton her home. Through her contributions, she continues to enrich the city’s vibrant cultural landscape and hopes to inspire future generations of immigrants to dream big and thrive in their new community.