Sewing Your Life:Dearborn city and community come together to empower Southend entrepreneur

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud was attending a “random” fashion show in the city when he came across the work of a Yemeni seamstress and mother of three with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Nasim Shaif, who had arrived in the country less than three years ago after a long and challenging journey from Yemen, was putting signs in the Southend neighborhood offering sewing classes to help support her family and empower women in the community.

The mayor was so inspired by her story that he decided to partner with Shaif to help her grow her initiative. 

Local officials assisted her in securing a $50,000 grant and connected her to Dearborn WORKS program, an initiative from the city and the Arab American Women’s Business Council designed to empower and train local women entrepreneurs.

The push culminated in the grand opening of Sewing Your Life – a brick-and-mortar training school for Shaif to continue to pursue her dreams and teach fellow women in the community how to sew. 

Positive presence

Shaif, who expressed gratitude for the city and Mayor Hammoud, told The Yemeni American News that she is just starting, and she aims to give back to the community.

“I aspire to have a positive presence in the Arab community here because a person must be a positive addition in their social surroundings,” Shaif said.

“My dreams are to be a fashion designer and to have an active presence. I would like to have several companies to establish my own brand in training, teaching sewing and empowering women in this field.” 

As part of the programme, Sewing Your Life will offer free training for 50 women from the community.

Shaif’s story from needing help to being the one offering it is a remarkable one that highlights the value of compassion and giving in Dearborn. 

She arrived in the US two and a half years ago after winning the visa lottery. Her arduous journey took her through Djibouti and saw her lose her travel documents but overcome challenges nevertheless.

Shaif had less than $2,000 to her name with which she had to start a new life in the US without her husband who was not able to make it to the country.

She eventually settled in the Southend and was connected to an organization to help her cover her rent, and she started offering sewing training.

“I am waiting to receive my citizenship, and then I will make arrangements to bring my husband here, so that my family will be reunited again,” Shaif said. 

At a time when Dearborn is facing Islamophobic attacks and the appearance of internal divisions, the community coming together to assist Shaif to empower other women highlights the contributions that immigrants make to this country. 

It also underscores the importance of solidarity and unity in the city itself.

Small businesses are the backbone of the US economy and the American dream, and immigrants excel in opening and growing them. The City of Dearborn is also helping people with minimal resources pursue their own business ideas.

Empowering women entrepreneurs

Hammoud, who was reelected in November, said at a recent event that Shaif shows the fruit of labor in the city.

“If you don’t know Nasim, you need to get to know this woman. She reminds me a lot of all the women that I love, that I grew up with,” the Dearborn mayor said at a recent event.

Hammoud and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib along with other officials attended the grand opening of Sewing Your Life late in October.

“We actually cut the ribbon on her own studio so she can train and educate women in her skillset to uplift dozens of more families around our community,” Hammoud said.

Mohammed Rezq, program manager for the Dix–Vernor Commercial Corridor for the City of Dearborn, said the opening of Sewing Your Life is a “testament to what can happen when government, community, and determination come together”. 

He said Hammoud directed his team to “explore every possible way to support” Shaif.

“This incredible achievement reflects the commitment of the City of Dearborn’s Economic Development team – under the leadership of Mayor Abdullah Hammoud – and our strong partnership with the Arab American Women’s Business Council,” Rezq told The Yemeni American News. 

“Together, we work hand-in-hand to empower women entrepreneurs and drive both economic and community growth.”