About Me
Hi, I’m Yasmina Kishanov Blackburn — memoirist, speaker, and storyteller.
My debut book, Where the Mountains Raised Me: A Memoir (Feb 2026), explores family memory, migration, and inheritance, weaving Balkan and Muslim heritage into a story of resilience and belonging.
My writing has been published across a variety of media outlets, and I’ve shared my voice on stages including TEDx. I helped design the first Muslim product for American Girl, and my work has been featured in Chicago-area and national media including ABC 7, WGN, NPR, the Daily Herald, and the Chicago Tribune.
I write to honor voices across cultures and generations, inviting readers to discover meaning through layered storytelling. This blog is my space to share updates, reflections, and glimpses into the creative process.
Thank you for being here — I’m excited to connect with you as my memoir makes its way into the world.
