Fordson teacher Zinab Zriek.

DEARBORN — A Fordson High School teacher is hoping to shed light on important community issues and dispel growing misconceptions about Muslims and Arabs through an Internet radio talk show that will be kicking off on September 12.

English teacher Zinab Zriek recently landed a six-month contract with WorldWideCore Radio LLC, after graduating with a broadcasting certificate from the American Broadcasting School. 

On September 12, she will be launching “The ZZ Show” every Monday from 4-5 p.m. in hopes of discussing trending topics, current issues and engaging with listeners with a segment called “Make a difference Mondays.” 

She hopes to include guest appearances from local community members on a weekly basis. Zriek is also hoping to obtain sponsorships from local businesses. 

She told The AANews that after teaching at Fordson for seven years, she still wanted to pursue a life-long passion. 

“Besides teaching, it has always been a dream of mine to have my own radio talk show,” Zriek said. “Growing up, Oprah was a big deal in my household. I tuned in every day at 4 p.m., after school. Jokingly, I would tell my family members that I would be the next Oprah– but an Arab American Muslim version of her.”

WorldWideCore, founded in June 2011, has an accrued total of more than 400,000 listeners to date and continues to grow. The company is a member of the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Broadcast Data System and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Zriek noted that she will be the first Arab and Muslim woman to host a radio show with the company. 

Every Monday, after her Language Arts class concludes at Fordson, she will commute to downtown Detroit to host her radio show out of the Block at Cass Park, located at Second and Temple. 

She will also continue to be an advisor of Fordson’s award winning Key Club and the school talent show. 

Zriek said that as a mother of two, a teacher and an advisor, she’s in-tune with issues that impact children on a daily basis. She’s hoping to open a line of communication on her radio show with subjects that are considered a taboo in the community.

“I have parents that ask me to raise their kids,” she said. “They’ll tell me, ‘Can you please talk to my child, because they aren’t listening to me?’ What has really helped me is Key Club and being an advisor. I’m interacting with students in real life situations, not just in the classroom.”

Zriek added that topics such as drug usage and providing parents with resources to assist their children are expected to be talking points on the show. 

She told The AANews that the community lacks professionals in the broadcasting industry and that a voice is needed to dispel misconceptions and stereotypes about Muslims and Arabs on both a local and national platform.

“I really think it’s important to be involved in broadcasting because that’s the stage for us to talk about issues, voice our opinions and actually be heard,” Zriek said. “Other people are speaking on our behalf. We need to show the public we are not who the media portrays us to be. We are kind-hearted, giving people. And we are Americans.”

Zriek added that she is grateful to receive such an opportunity from WorldWideCore Radio, which gave her a coveted Monday late afternoon timeslot.

She noted that it has been flexible in allowing her to develop her own show and work around her schedule. 

“I’m going to be heard the first day of the week and that’s a blessing,” Zriek said. “I want people around the Michigan area to listen in on what Dearborn is doing and what topics we are passionate about. I feel it will be great for our community and we should support this beautiful opportunity that came in my place.”

To listen to her show, download the WorldWideCore radio app. “The ZZ Show” will be under the “Core Grooves” section.