Born in Gyumri and raised in North Carolina, Davit Melikian has spent his life navigating the space between heritage and homeland. A custom home builder, entrepreneur, and devoted Armenian-American advocate, Davit channels his belief in community into action, both locally and nationally.

As the North Carolina State Chair for the Armenian Assembly of America, he works tirelessly to elevate Armenian voices in U.S. politics, champion civic engagement, and ensure that issues impacting Armenians are not overlooked. His journey reflects resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to justice.

In this episode, Davit shares his story of immigration, identity, the power of showing up in the political process, and what it means to build—not just homes, but representation and legacy—for the Armenian-American community.

Born in the village of Sardarapat, Marine Jarchafjian has shaped her life around language, culture, and the enduring heartbeat of Armenian identity. After graduating from Yerevan State University of Languages and Social Studies, she taught English before discovering her love for guiding visitors through Armenia’s landscapes and stories.

Marine is deeply devoted to authentic Armenian national dance, joining the “Vahagn’’ ethnic dance group in 2019, a space where she honors her heritage through movement, community, and ancestral memory.

Her life changed profoundly when she and her husband, Shunt, moved to Artsakh, where they lived for three years and welcomed their three children, Maral, Hoori, and Aznavour, until the forced displacement of September 2023. Through loss, transition, and unwavering strength, Marine continues to hold onto the threads of homeland and identity that have shaped her life.

Born in Gyumri and trained in Yerevan, Lilit Movsisyan uses storytelling as a way to document and preserve what others often overlook. Her first book, A Mother’s Conversation, shares the intimate story of Edgar Aghababyan, a fallen hero of the 2020 Artsakh War, with all proceeds donated to his family.

Lilit then turned to documentary filmmaking, debuting with “And Hovhannes Came,” a tribute to Armenia’s National Hero, Maestro Hovhannes Chekijyan. The film was screened internationally and earned the “Etalon of the Year” award at the Prestige International Media Awards in Dubai.

Her latest film, “The Professor Lee,” bridges Armenia and Korea, inspired by a personal spark that led her to the extraordinary story of Professor Kiejin Lee. Across her projects—from Europe to Asia—Lilit remains committed to telling quiet, meaningful stories rooted in memory, heritage, and human truth.

Kyle Kalebdjian Clark is an Amsterdam-based guitarist and composer whose music has been described as an Eastern soul playing a Western instrument. A recent graduate of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, Kyle studied under renowned artists including Ara Dinkjian and Oded Tzur—mentors who helped shape his distinctive voice as a musician.

In May 2024, he made his breakthrough performance at the BIMHUIS in Amsterdam, presenting a set of original compositions inspired by the musical traditions of his Armenian ancestry. With his debut album now in the works, Kyle continues to explore the space between East and West, blending the improvisational freedom of jazz with the emotional depth of Armenian melody.

Follow his journey on Instagram (@kylekalebdjianclark) and YouTube.

Ani Carla offers a heartfelt reflection on life within the Armenian diaspora, shaped by her experiences in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Her story is one of spiritual grounding, ancestral connection, and cultural preservation through the healing arts.

With wisdom drawn from both heritage and personal experience, Ani bridges modern identity with sacred tradition—revealing how spirit and culture intertwine to guide a meaningful life. Her journey invites listeners to reconnect with their roots and embrace the beauty of belonging across generations.

Jessica Damerjian’s journey begins in Gyumri, Armenia, where she was born and adopted as a baby. Now a college student at Drexel University in Philadelphia studying Construction Management, Jessica reflects deeply on themes of identity, belonging, and rediscovering her Armenian roots.

Originally from Reading, Massachusetts, her story explores what it means to bridge two worlds—being raised in a different country while finding pride and connection in her Armenian heritage. Through her voice, Jessica reminds us that family and identity are not defined by borders, but by love and the courage to seek one’s roots.

Simone Rizkallah is a Catholic speaker and writer who helps people discover a deeper and more meaningful existence. As a first-generation American of Egyptian-Armenian descent, she calls herself a “cultural gypsy”—Western born and educated, yet raised in an Eastern cultural and ethnic context.

This unique background gives her a powerful perspective on the search for belonging and identity. Through her writing and speaking, Simone guides others toward becoming more rooted: in their faith, their heritage, their personal story, and their greater calling.

You can learn more about her work at culturalgypsy.com.

Susanna Semerdzhyan is an Armenian-American writer and ESL instructor based in Los Angeles. A proud child of immigrants and a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, she is also a first-generation college graduate whose journey has deeply shaped her work and storytelling.

Her writing often explores identity, belonging, and the complexities of growing up as a child of immigrants. Susanna contributes to The Armenian Weekly and has been featured in Inside Higher Ed, sharing insights on securing a tenure-track position as a first-generation graduate, and in Business Insider, where she writes about teaching financial literacy and self-compassion to children.

Through her newsletter, "You’re a Masterpiece" on Substack, and her Instagram account, @suzyspoet, Susanna continues to uplift voices, reflect on cultural identity, and create spaces where personal narratives and collective history intertwine.