Nyla Ali Khan

What makes Nyla Wildly Capable?

“She is an outstanding educator and speaker. She has overcome many challenges and barriers. She is a true survivor!”

KITTI ASBERRY

What makes you feel proud?

I am proud of the bridges I have built between urban and rural Oklahoma through my work as an academic, member of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, member of the Oklahoma Humanities Council and owner of a medical clinic that seeks to serve rural populations as well. I am particularly proud of being mother to a courageous, confident and resilient 18-year old daughter.

Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?

The biggest influence in my life is my father. I see his life as a model to be emulated. I promise the retreating wraith of my father that I will commemorate and honor him in everything I so. He will not drown in oblivion. And my life will continue to be enriched by his wise counsel and unconditional affection. My father’s unconditional love taught me to see hard times as an opportunity to grow, not as a misfortune. He taught me to be grateful for God’s mercies and was a content man. He gave me wings to fly and roots to return to.

What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?

Working and living in Oklahoma has taught me that community is the ability to organize and mobilize for social change, which requires the creation of awareness not just at the individual level, but at the collective level as well. Community is the courage to bridge divides and to pave the way for the education of the younger generation, which is the only viable response to ignorance and bigotry. We have a lack of understanding of each other and a paranoia that may lead to violence. The identity of a community cannot be built on unquenchable hate and certainly not on cashing in on the pain and grief of other people. Through my work, I hope to facilitate new efforts and new forums for the birth of broad based grassroots politics that transcend organizational divides.