Born in Saudi Arabia and now a proud resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ebtehal's journey is one of passion, perseverance, and profound impact. From her early aspirations of becoming an artist to her current role as the Director of the Division of Art Wellness and Community Outreach at Optimal Workplace & Environmental Wellness Corporation, Ebtehal has carved a unique path that inspires and uplifts those around her.
Ebtehal's love for art was evident from the 5th grade. However, she initially took a different route, earning a bachelor's degree in biology from King Abdul-Aziz University. Her academic pursuit did not stop there; she went on to obtain a master's degree in Industrial Hygiene from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Despite her success in the scientific field, including working as a teacher assistant, Ebtehal felt a lingering void, a calling towards her first love—art. Realizing her true passion, Ebtehal ventured into art therapy, an intersection of her interest in psychology and art. She began taking the necessary classes in art and psychology to pursue this specialty, a journey that continues to this day. This decision marked a significant turning point in her life, redirecting her career path toward healing and community through creativity.
Joining the Malian Art Institute, Ebtehal honed her painting skills, exploring various techniques that brought vibrancy and life to her work. Her colorful and uplifting art quickly gained attention, influencing many and spreading positivity. One of her notable contributions was designing a poster for anti-bullying and anti-racism, displayed in multiple Pittsburgh schools, promoting the power of unity among students.
Pittsburgh Builds Bridges Initiative Driven by personal experiences, particularly her son's bullying ordeal, Ebtehal founded the Pittsburgh Builds Bridges Initiative. This community outreach movement emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and connection through simple actions, dialogue, and the transformative power of art. The initiative addresses critical social issues like bullying, racism, and social exclusion by fostering acceptance and love among youth and adults.
Join us in this enlightening episode as Ebtehal Badawi takes us through her incredible journey from science to art, her efforts to combat bullying and promote inclusivity, and her unwavering dedication to uplifting her community through creativity. Her story is a testament to the power of following one's passion and the profound impact it can have on the world.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.