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Ziyad N. Samara - Immigrant Stories

Ziyad Samara, a Palestinian from the West Bank, grew up in Palestine and Kuwait in the late 1950’s and 1960’s, and met his future wife, Souad, while living in Kuwait. His older brother emigrated to the U.S in 1969 and in 1971 Ziyad’s father borrowed money to take the rest of the family to the U.S., initially settling in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Ziyad attended Prairie State College while working as a busboy and dishwasher. Continuing to work in the restaurant business, he became a restaurant manager in Springfield, Illinois, working at Lum’s Restaurant from 1978 to about 1996. In 1999 he became the owner of Sgt. Pepper’s Café.

Interview Links

Feature Excerpt

'Ziyad's Thanksgiving promise'

Abstract

Inteterview Session 01

Life in the West Bank and Kuwait, and immigration to U.S.

Interview Session 02 (Audio)

Adjusting to life in America, and managing a restaurant business


Photos

Caption
Taken about 1939, this is a picture of Nimer Samara, Ziyad’s father, on the far right, grandfather, Araf Samara in the middle, and Adeb Samara, an uncle, on the left.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Circa 1939

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo



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