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I am a versatile writer and communications strategist with 20 years of experience in the media, nonprofit, education and technology sectors. I am a Michigan-based writer, educator, and recovering journalist who immigrated from Lebanon to the United States at 16 in pursuit of the elusive “American Dream.” My writing explores identity, belonging, intergenerational relationships, culture, and the immigrant experience, often through the lens of memory, resilience, and the spaces between borders. I began my career as a reporter and editor, covering local and national issues. Through journalism, I discovered the power of storytelling to spotlight communities, amplify unheard voices, and capture the human experiences that connect us all. From journalism, I transitioned into the nonprofit sector, where I spent more than a decade leading communications and public relations efforts for The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) and Detroit PBS. At ESD, I wrote extensively about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and led the organization’s award-winning magazine, Technology Century. At PBS, I applied my storytelling skills to promote programming and community initiatives. My claim to fame includes interviewing actress Jane Seymour, meeting the cast of This Old House, and rubbing elbows with Norman Lear and Henry Louis Gates Jr.. Today, I share my love of storytelling as an adjunct professor and high school English and journalism teacher while freelance writing. My essays and articles have appeared in various publications including the HuffPost, Literary Mama, Her View From Home, Grown and Flown, and Culturs Magazine. Through my Substack, The Inspired Immigrant, I celebrate immigrant voices, creativity, culture, and the stories that connect us across borders. I am currently working on a memoir in essays about growing up during the Lebanese Civil War and the complicated journey of finding a sense of belonging as an abandoned child, an immigrant and a caretaker. I earned an MA in English and Creative Writing (Nonfiction) from Southern New Hampshire University, a teaching certificate from the University of Michigan, and a BA in Journalism and Political Science from Oakland University. I live in metro Detroit with my husband, two teenage children, and a needy mini Bernedoodle. When I’m not writing, teaching, or adulting, I dream in three languages (yes, it’s a thing).

I am a freelance writer & marketer with extensive experience in the media, nonprofit, education & tech industries. PORTFOLIO I Spent 36 Years Hiding From My Past. Then An Email That Arrived On New Year's Eve Turned Everything Upside Down. From HuffPost The first thing I did after immigrating to the United States in 1988 at 16 was hide my identity. Being from Lebanon felt shameful, partly due to the ongoing civil war there at the time and the negative stereotypes influenced by political tensions in the region. Cognizant of these issues, my dad, who had abandoned my mom and me in Lebanon when I was 3 years old to start a new life in Detroit, insisted I assimilate as quickly as possible once I joined him. His motives seemed valid. He wanted to protect me from being bullied or discriminated against in high school. He also did not believe in living with a hyphenated identity. continue reading... The Blue Duffel Bag: A Journey From Beirut to America From Literary Mama From Literary Mama The only keepsake from my childhood is a withered blue duffel bag. Growing up in war-torn Lebanon in the 1980s, I knew the mere sight of the bag meant it was time to seek shelter. I don’t remember when or why the bag joined our family of two and took its coveted place among our meager belongings in the one-bedroom apartment we shared in Beirut. During the Lebanese Civil War, my mom kept the bag in her closet, tucked between a small hand-carved wooden box and a silver frame containing a weeping picture of the Virgin Mary, always ready to grab during frazzled midnight runs to the bomb shelter. continue reading... Detroit Nurse Preserves Heritage Through Dance From Culturs Magazine On weekdays, Nayiri Karapetian walks the halls of Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, in a nurse’s scrubs. On Saturdays, she stands in a dance studio in black tights and jazz shoes, teaching 130 performers of various ages intricate steps she choreographed to the beats of Armenian folk songs. A native of Chicago, Karapetian’s journey as an Armenian dancer and instructor began at age 11 as an obligation to her culture rather than a passion for the art. continue reading... Detroit Hamazkayin’s performance demonstrates how to ‘shout from the rooftop’ From The Armenian Weekly When the Hamazkayin Detroit chapter entered the Pistons basketball court on Sunday, January 5, 2025, they didn’t expect their performance to have a rippling effect beyond the routine they practiced for hours leading up to the event. In less than three short minutes, the 30 dancers, of whom my daughter is one, did more than perform. They shared a part of their Armenian heritage and culture with thousands of people, in-person and online, breaking down cultural barriers and raising awareness. continue reading Why Letting Go of Birthday Parties Is Harder Than I Expected From Grown and Flown I gave up asking my almost 15-year-old daughter what she wanted to do for her birthday. After years of her begging me to plan the next party as soon as the other one ended and me assuring her that we had plenty of time to talk about it, the roles have been reversed. continue reading... Writing “The Blue Duffel Bag:” A Story from a Delusional Mind From Literary Mama I have the cluttered mind of a writer. Words and ideas swirl in my head like autumn leaves caught in a wind tunnel. Post-it® notes adorn every nook and cranny in my office, and my desktop looks like Swiss cheese cluttered with dozens of folders for various writing projects like “Finished blogs,” “Essays in the work,” “Stories to Pitch,” “Memoir,” etc. I also keep a running list on my phone’s notepad app of story ideas that come to me randomly, like when I am filling gas, grabbing a coffee, or waiting to pick up my kids from birthday parties or sporting events. But, nowhere will you find a single note I’ve written about my recently published essay in Literary Mama, The Blue Duffel Bag: A Journey from Beirut to America. continue reading... My Kids Don’t Like to Read, But They Do Love to Learn From Her View From Home I fell in love with books during a war while my kids lost interest in reading during COVID. Between 1975 and 1990 during the Civil War in Lebanon, my mom, an avid reader, was determined to make me one despite many odds. Once every few weeks, starting when I was about 10, she and I would make the half-hour trek by foot from our apartment in Beirut to a place we called the “book cave.” It was a nondescript space—about 15 by 20 square feet—tucked in the basement of a dilapidated building. Inside, it housed hundreds of books in various genres and languages. continue reading... Edison's Great Grandniece Champions Innovation From Technology Century Magazine One can say that innovation runs in Sarah Miller Caldicott's blood. As the great-grandniece of Thomas Edison, Ms. Caldicott is not only pround of her heritage but keenly aware of the legacy that it carries. In fact, she has devoted almost her entire life to promoting innovation and collaboration in order to help businesses grow and succeed. She recalls being in second grade when she learned that her family was connected to Edison. continue reading...

Della Cassia is a freelance writer, content strategist & multicultural storyteller with more than 20 years of experience. Bievenue. Ahlan wa Sahlan. Welcome. In Lebanon, we have a tradition of brewing a strong cup of coffee whenever someone visits, which is often. So, I invite you to stop by, grab a cup of your favorite brew, and join me as I explore the nuances of identity and belonging through the lens of an immigrant, writer, mother, and educator. My writing has appeared in various publications including the HuffPost, Literary Mama, Culturs Magazine, and others. Through my Substack, The Inspired Immigrant, I celebrate the stories, creativity, and resilience of immigrants, artists, and changemakers building meaningful lives across cultures and borders. So, stay awhile, explore my work, and make yourself at home. About Me AS SEEN IN The Huffington Post, Literary Mama, Culturs Magazine, The Armenian Weekly, and others.

Click here to access The Inspired Immigrant Blog. How Arab Creators Are Humanizing the Immigrant Experience Online-one Joke At a Time “Otherness”, as in different cultures, languages, traditions, and backgrounds often creates misunderstanding for those unfamiliar with it. How many times have you heard that Arab mothers are overbearing or too strict? Read more... I Grew Up in Lebanon’s Civil War. Violence Doesn't Lead to Peace Those words echoed in my heart like a dagger. I had heard them growing up—night after night, day after day—almost four decades ago. The only difference was that I WAS the daughter being awakened by her mother, so we could run to the shelter and hide from the bombs raining down on the city. Read more... This Easter, Skip the Chocolate Bunny and Try Ma’moul Instead The first time I saw the “Easter Bunny” was at a mall in Southfield, Michigan, in 1989—I was 17. The first time I heard of an Easter Basket? When I had to figure out how to make one for my daughter. Read more... The Year I Almost Gave Up Writing A vulnerable writer is an authentic writer, or so I’ve been told. In reality, that vulnerability can also sometime lead to anxiety, imposter syndrome a fear of failure. Read more... Subscribe to The Inspired Immigrant Substack Join my email list for essays and lifestyle ideas from a global perspective. Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting!

IN THE NEWS Welcome to my “In the News” page, where you’ll find interviews, features, and media appearances highlighting my work as a writer, educator, and storyteller. From conversations about immigration and identity to reflections on culture, creativity, and belonging, these highlights offer a closer look at the stories and experiences that shape my work. TOP OF MIND PODCAST: Americans Are Reading Fewer Books Than Ever. Does That Matter in 2025? I joined Julie Rose, host of Top of Mind Podcast to discuss the changing state of reading culture in America, sharing perspectives as a writer, educator, and lifelong reader. The conversation explored why fewer Americans are reading books, the role stories play in shaping empathy and identity, and why preserving a culture of reading remains deeply important in an increasingly digital world. Listen to the full episode here.... PEOPLE OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Accomplished multicultural storyteller, educator Della Cassia From Meadow Brook Road to Sesame Street, from the newsroom to the classroom, Della Cassia’s passion for storytelling and advocacy for multicultural perspectives has driven her through a storied career in media. Cassia’s trademark sense of curiosity emerged as somewhat a product of necessity as a teenaged immigrant from war-torn Lebanon. Read the full interview here... VOYAGE MICHIGAN: Life & Work with Della Cassia of Bloomfield Hills In this feature with Vogage Michigan, I shared my journey as a young immigrant from Lebanon to building a career as a writer, educator, and former journalist. The interview explores my passion for storytelling, the experiences that shaped my voice, and how themes of identity, resilience, culture, and belonging continue to influence both my writing and teaching. Read the full interview here...

Let's connect. Contact me and let's discuss your writing and marketing needs. Looking to hire an experienced writer/journalist/storyteller? Fill out the form below, and I'll get back to you as soon as I grab another cup of coffee. First Name Last Name Email Subject Leave us a message... Submit Thanks for submitting!

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