25 Years of Storytelling with ISB Atlanta

by Stanley LearyPhotography
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Last night, I photographed the ISB Atlanta Gala — an inspiring evening that brought together more than 500 leaders from Atlanta’s faith, business, civic, and nonprofit communities. Today, I’m excited to share a gallery of event images that capture the night’s spirit.

For me, this was more than just another assignment. My connection to ISB Atlanta goes back to its very beginning.

Around 2001, my wife, Dorie Griggs, was the Communications Manager for Faith and the City. This groundbreaking initiative produced a weekly TV show bringing Atlanta’s diverse faith communities together to discuss issues facing our city and nation. I supported the program with photography and set design, and later served as their webmaster. That work gave me a front-row seat to the power of storytelling and collaboration across faith traditions.

Through Faith and the City, Dorie invited Soumaya Khalifa to be a panelist. In 2001, Soumaya founded the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISB Atlanta). Since that first encounter, I’ve been fortunate to witness — and photograph — her incredible leadership in fostering understanding, combating intolerance, and building connections across communities.

“A Call to Faith: Building Authentic Relationships Out of the Ashes of 9/11” — The 2nd 9/11 Remembrance Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, hosted by the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, brought people of all faiths together in unity, healing, and hope.

My interfaith journey continued when I became webmaster for the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta (FAMA), working closely with Imam Plemon El-Amin and Jan Swanson, both founding board members. I documented events that brought people of different backgrounds together, including the powerful 9/11 commemoration at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Faith and the City, FAMA, and ISB Atlanta stood united in hope and solidarity.

Ambassador Andrew Young & Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia together at the Culminating Worship Service at the Annual Meeting, held at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Rev. Dr. Kobia — former General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and current Chairman of Kenya’s National Cohesion & Integration Commission — has long been a voice for reconciliation, peace, and interfaith dialogue. This gathering was supported by Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta (FAMA), strengthening the community through faith and inclusion.

Looking ahead, 2026 will mark ISB Atlanta’s 25th anniversary. For nearly a quarter of a century, Soumaya has invited Atlanta’s leaders to learn about Islam, celebrate service, and most importantly, see one another as fellow human beings.

As I share this new gallery of photos from last night’s gala, I’ll also open my archives to highlight moments from the past 25 years of interfaith storytelling — from the Faith and the City TV program to gatherings with FAMA to milestone events with ISB Atlanta.

It has been one of the great honors of my career to help tell this story of unity, respect, and bridge-building. And I’m grateful to continue capturing ISB Atlanta’s story as it moves toward its 25th year and beyond.

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