Today we’d like to introduce you to Elia Khalaf.
Elia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
You can write a poem in one word, a name. Mine’s Elia. I’m a non-conforming Arab migratory bird, born and raised in Lebanon and presently based in Miami and NYC. This year, I am focused on becoming an Art Therapist as I get my M.A. and training in NYU. As an artist, my practice revolves around issues of public amnesia and construction of identity, primarily expressed via narrative bookmaking and community-based art.
In 2017 I launched #notmyneim with O, Miami, reclaiming the butchered name, one syllable at a time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My journey has been punctuated with misspellings, mispronunciations, and misidentifications. Yet, today I am happy to say I would not choose any other name. “Elia” has lead me to helping Miami reclaim its’ names, from other immigrants and descendants of immigrants, trans+ individuals who experience dead naming, or when they are misgendered by use of their former name, and kids whose names are rhymed to ridicule by bullies.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with #notmyneim – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
#NotMyNeim is a personal revolution, crafting an inclusive language to expand our counter culture’s safe space. In 2018, #NotMyNeim joined forces with name-calling locations to host special activations and workshops. Starting with local and authentic coffee shops in Miami, White Rose and Panther Coffee, where each participant stamped their name on their coffee sleeve. We also collaborated with Leah Andritsch, artist and Arts in Medicine facilitator at UM’s Sylvester Cancer Center, prompting patients to design their very own name tags in a setting where identification and human connection are essential. #NotMyNeim also partnered with EXILE Book’s to bring limited editions name tags to the Miami Zine Fair in Little Haiti.
A new world is coming where my phone doesn’t autocorrect my name (what the duck!); where I don’t mispronounce my own name so it fits better in someone else’s mouth; where trans+ people don’t dead name themselves because it’s safer; where immigrants have the same name when they step on this land as when they step off the boat.
This new world has a name. It’s my Neim.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Extremely excited! I am now in the process of crafting the second chapter of #notmyneim coming to life in 2019.
Contact Info:
- Website: elia-khalaf
- Instagram: @eleeyuh #notmyneim
Image Credit:
Francisco Moraga
Charlotte Kesl
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
