Meet the Founder

Hi, I'm Joanna Samhouri,  an aspiring speech-language pathologist, researcher, and advocate for communication equity across the Arab world. For much of my life, I didn't know what my stutter was—or why no one else around me spoke the way I did. I spent years battling shame, silence, and self-doubt. But today, I stand with a mission: to make sure no one else has to walk that path alone.

With a Bachelor's degree  in Psychology from the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Lebanon, a Master's degree in Public Health from New York University (NYU) in New York, and professional experience in implementation science, social behavior change, risk communication and community engagement, and policy design, I bring a systems lens to something deeply personal.

I dream of revolutionizing how communication disorders are understood, accepted, and treated in the Arab world. That's why I created Bika Akun-an organization built on the belief that when you boldly use your voice, in all its uniqueness, embracing it with all that is truly yours, you give others not only the permission but the confidence, strength, and resilience to do the same. Whether you are just beginning to explore your relationship with stuttering, still navigating acceptance, or openly stuttering with pride — this space is for you.

You are not broken. 
Your voice is worthy. 
You are not alone. 
And you absolutely deserve to live the life you dream of.

If my vision resonates with yours, join our movement here!