Asad Dandia

I am a born-and-bred New Yorker from Brooklyn, and I often joke that taking me out of New York is sort of like taking a fish out of water. I forget how to function! My family immigrated here in the early-80's and we've been here ever since. Being raised in a low-income, Outer Borough, immigrant community naturally immersed me into the city's cultural diversity, and I aim to bring out that appreciation for diversity and complexity in my tours. I run a storytelling project called "New York Narratives," which aims to uplift the stories of New York that have yet to be told. I invite you to check out our website, which offers experiences not offered by anyone else in the city: https://www.newyorknarratives.com/.

My professional background is as a community organizer, and much of my work in the city has involved organizing around civil rights, civic engagement, and cultural understanding. Growing up in the shadow of 9/11 as a Muslim New Yorker was a formative experience for me, and taught me the importance of storytelling as a means of reaching people across our differences. I love exploring new cultures, traditions, and stories and blending them into my tours where they fit as I continue to uncover the beauty of our cosmopolitan metropolis.

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from NYU with a focus on community organizing, and a Master's Degree in Islamic Studies from Columbia. I am something of a history and humanities nerd. I am able to read in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Hebrew.

I also work as a tour guide for the Museum of the City of New York and was an advisor on its recent "City of Faith" gallery, and am routinely invited as a guest speaker and consultant on topics related to New York City.

When I take you on a tour, I strive to bring to life the stories of the people and places we cover. I am a passionate storyteller, and my goal is to leave a lasting positive impact on you through the stories I tell and the passion I bring. 

Let's talk!