Soumaya Khalifa launched the Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) of Atlanta in August 2001, a month before the 9/11 tragedy focused world-wide attention on the Muslim community. The need for understanding Islam became all the more critical, a need Ms. Khalifa had already come to understand as an observant Muslim woman, raising a family in a predominantly Christian culture. Under her leadership, the ISB has become an influential voice, not only for understanding Islam but for interfaith engagement.