Author

Lisa Argrette Ahmad

I am not a sociologist, therapist or member of the clergy.  I have no formal training or expertise in conflict resolution, parenting, religious studies or anything else related for that matter other than that which I have garnered experiencing my life as it has unfolded before me.

I am a 48 year-old, stay-at-home mother living in the suburbs of New York City with my husband of 20 years and our three children. I grew up outside Washington, D.C., attended Wellesley College and later Harvard Business School.  Later, I was an accomplished businesswoman and management consultant of strategy and marketing.  That alone is pretty uninteresting fare for most.  However, I have never ceased to be amazed at the curiosity of others in the origin and dynamics of my marriage.  I suppose our story – the story of an African American, Christian woman and a Pakistani-American Muslim – is unusual.  Unexpected.  And, clearly it is compelling.

It all started right after my father died suddenly in 2004.  As grievers often do, I spent a lot of time questioning the meaning of life and God’s purpose for me on earth.  At the time, I was designing and manufacturing custom 22 karat jewelry but I set this work aside, considering it too meaningless for me to pursue.  I quickly figured out that I did not want to be remembered for that work. As I searched my soul and passions for what I considered to be important work, I stumbled upon several journals I had kept over the years.  There were many.  It seemed I had always written:  throughout my 20-year marriage, as a young adult, even as a teenager.

The writings about my married life intrigued me.  Intercultural relationships with their special challenges and rewards was a topic I could talk with others about for days and was a life lesson I wanted to share with my children. Since I was still living the life I described in my work, I decided to use my journal entries to write a series of personal essays or stories, sharing my personal insight and growth on discreet topics. Currently, I am assembling these mini-memoirs for a book — the book I wish I had read before marrying.

I am the author of a published narrative, On Hair, Westchester Review 2009 (publisher) and regularly participate in readings of my work and in forums (seminars, retreats, learning-based initiatives) where I speak on issues of diversity and intercultural relationships.