The Alliance for Intercultural Understanding’s mission is to promote understanding, friendship, and peace. Alliance members build cross-cultural awareness through engagement, participation, and collaboration. We create a transparent environment of trust and respect that encourages communication between people of different backgrounds, creeds, and ethnicities. Our motto is as compelling as it is simple. In pursuit of peace through understanding and friendship we believe that we are “United In Our Diversity.”
We are in partnership with The Taleem Project because we believe that storytelling is the most powerful way to forge a greater sense of understanding, perspective, and empathy. The Alliance for Intercultural Understanding (AIU) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. Tax ID 85-0653213 To donate online via credit card, follow the form on this page.
If you prefer to donate by check, please make it out to “The Alliance” and mail it to: 4415 Piazza Cir, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. If you would like to contribute in another way or learn more about our nonprofit enterprise, please contact me at: baktash.ahadi@gmail.com.
Thank you for your generosity.
Anthony Agnello is the Founder and President Emeritus of the Alliance for Intercultural Understanding (AIU), striving to bridge divides in America. He also serves as President of Friends of Afghanistan (FoA) and has chaired coalitions aiding veterans' organizations and US-based NGOs. With a 40-year career in education and community advocacy, Agnello has earned recognition, including the Dr. Clifford Harkins Distinguished Citizen Award from Northern Arizona University. As a retired educator, he co-founded the Veterans Memorial Park Committee and was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Buffalo Bills and M&T Bank for his efforts in Afghanistan.
Terry Dougherty, our Vice President and Treasurer, brings over 40 years of diverse experience in teaching, sales, and technology management across various industries, including higher education and consulting. His extensive background includes roles as Chairman of the Board for the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace and Treasurer for Friends of Afghanistan, Inc. Additionally, he has contributed as a founding board member of SOLA School of Leadership Afghanistan and provided volunteer support for Afghan Refugee Resettlement with Catholic Charities Fort Wayne, Indiana, showcasing his commitment to humanitarian efforts. Terry is highly skilled in developing and managing distance education, information systems, and administrative services in higher education, along with successful implementations of internet systems and expertise in information services management.
Baktash Ahadi is an Emmy Award winning filmmaker, human rights activist, and TEDx Speaker. He directs, produces, and writes films that explore the human condition and is particularly drawn to stories of forced migration, conflict, refugees, and vulnerable and underrepresented communities.
The recipient of numerous awards for public service and documentary storytelling, Baktash has worked on race relations in communities across the United States and on the peace process in Afghanistan. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Public Radio (NPR), Business Insider, The BBC, TIME Magazine, and The Atlantic.
Baktash is currently at work directing a film about combat veterans, mental health, and equine therapy.
