Meet Layla

Hey there! I’m Layla. I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2019 and studied Human and Organizational Development and Spanish. In the classroom, I learned how systems and non-profit organizations address social needs and outside of it I explored interests in music and art, ministry, and justice work. Before the pandemic broke, I was living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and interning for International Justice Mission on their Monitoring and Evaluation team. Currently, I’m eager to embark on my next endeavor, fielding interests in education and transitional health within immigrant and refugee communities, creative expression and design, and spiritual and relational development. Outside of development related things, I’m a big fan of good music (both playing and listening), deep friendship, and A24 films. OH, and I’m super excited to be joining Novel Hand’s Handful as a contributor and host! 

I’m inspired by missions that prioritize understanding the greater contexts of the injustices they work to address, organizations that target inequalities to enable longer lasting means of change, and those who prioritize the dignity of whoever they are serving or empowering. I’ve seen that leaning into social justice issues and accepting a sense of shared humanity fosters a sense of compassion and empathy, both being essential components of informed and dignifying civic engagement. As a host of Handful, I’m looking forward to sharing more about sustainable efforts in local and international development, about dignifying missions that currently target inequalities, and learning about things I wouldn’t have otherwise without intention.  

I’ve spent a lot of time learning about the misunderstanding in the way people who work in development deal with problems facing the most vulnerable and how they view the issues that surround these populations. One of the most impactful learnings I had was reading The Locust Effect by Gary Haugen. He and his co-author explain that we often fail to recognize that efforts made against systemic injustices without accountability and measures of changes will never be sustainable. This misunderstanding has led to failed initiatives and an absence of deliverables in many missions addressed toward vulnerable populations. Measuring capacity and adequately researching a problem to ensure that a community has resources and government support is essential. If their insufficiency is identified, it’s important to instill systems of reform around that which will bring communities basic rights and safety. I’m interested in exploring those systems that are focusing on restoring the cause of the problem rather than its effects. 

All of this leads me back to this question —  knowing what I know about the way the world is, what am I going to do? As a Christian who believes in the responsibility I have to pursue justice and reconciliation, I see myself as someone involved in shaping the way the world is and the way it ought to be. Rather than separating my vocational desires from spiritual pursuit, my faith leads me into a lifestyle of coherence in these two things, not their compartmentalization. I seek restoration as conduit of my faith which inspires my desire to empower others and seek justice where it is absent. Understanding the need for redemption in this world and dedicating my energy and talents in efforts fighting for reconciliation of systems or individuals, I am excited to be joining the Novel Hand community in my efforts to better promote justice and advocacy. 

I look forward to learning alongside the Novel Hand community and increasing my awareness of the issues around us and how you and I can engage with them more meaningfully, sustainably and restoratively. I welcome thoughts and feedback openly! Please feel free to email me at layla.h.shahmohammadi@vanderbilt.edu. 

My first Handful episode is out today. Check it out here: