About Me

My name is John Melhem, I am an immigrant who has had the opportunity to live in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. This multicultural experience has allowed me to become fluent in five languages and develop a profound admiration for diverse cultures, which has fueled my passion for community service and peacebuilding. I spent my teenage years in Lebanon, where I actively led peace movements in the midst of a troubled region.

Throughout my six years in the Middle East, I came to understand that many of our values are rooted in the hate that has been ingrained in us from a young age. I vividly recall playing dodgeball with my friends in fifth grade, where instead of dividing teams based on friendship and athletic ability, we were divided based on religion. This practice is a clear reflection of the messages conveyed by older generations and traditions that contribute to chaos and prejudice in our countries. I firmly believe that hatred is a learned behavior, and it is only through unlearning these teachings that we can build a more peaceful and just society.