Today we’d like to introduce you to Luay Sami.
Hi Luay, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
TMy journey with the Clarkston Community Center began back in 2011. At the time, I volunteered whenever I could, helping out with programs and events because I felt a strong connection to the community. Over the years, that volunteer work grew into something more — a real calling. I became deeply involved in creating programs that reflected the needs and voices of Clarkston’s residents. Seven years ago, I stepped into the role of Executive Director. Since then, I’ve focused on keeping the Center a welcoming space for everyone — a place that celebrates diversity, preserves heritage, and strengthens the bonds between neighbors.
The Center itself has a remarkable story. Our building was constructed in 1924 as a segregated school. After the school closed in the 1960s, it sat abandoned for more than three decades. In the 1990s, local leaders and residents came together to save it. They formed the Clarkston Community Center Foundation, raised the funds, and transformed the building into a vibrant hub for art, education, and community life.
This year is especially meaningful for us — it marks 100 years of our historic building and 30 years since it became the Clarkston Community Center. We’ll be celebrating that legacy, and the diverse community that makes this place special, at our Centennial Celebration on November 8.
You can learn more about the event and our work at www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org
.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Our building itself is a symbol of both challenge and resilience. When the school closed in the 1960s, it was left abandoned for decades, and restoring it in the 1990s took years of fundraising, community support, and vision. Even today, keeping a historic building safe and accessible requires ongoing investment.
Beyond the physical space, running a nonprofit in a diverse and growing city like Clarkston means navigating limited resources while meeting very real community needs. We’ve faced financial hurdles, the constant demand for more services than we can provide, and the unique challenge of serving a population that speaks many languages and comes from many different cultures.
But those challenges have also been our strength. They’ve pushed us to be creative, to build deep partnerships, and to center our mission of connecting people through art, education, and community. Every struggle has been matched by resilience from our staff, volunteers, and the community we serve.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As Executive Director of the Clarkston Community Center, my work is about connecting people. I oversee programs in art, education, and community building, but more importantly, I make sure the Center remains a place where everyone feels welcome. My background is in arts and culture as well as nonprofit leadership, and I’ve spent more than a decade working alongside diverse communities here in Clarkston.
What I’m most proud of is how the Center has become a true gathering place. We serve youth, families, and seniors, and we create opportunities for people from dozens of cultures to share and learn from one another. I’m known for building strong partnerships with schools, universities, artists, and local organizations that allow us to extend our impact beyond our walls.
What sets us apart is that our work is both deeply local and globally minded. Clarkston is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and the Center reflects that. Every day, I see how art, education, and community life can bridge differences and create a stronger, more connected future.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
On a personal note, many people are surprised to learn that I began my professional journey as a graphic designer with Iraq’s Ministry of Culture and Education. I worked on large international festivals, and that creative foundation still shapes how I think about leadership, storytelling, and building a sense of community.
As for the Center, one thing that often surprises people is that we’re not a government facility, even though our name sounds official. We’re an independent nonprofit that relies on grants, rentals, and donations to keep most of our programs free and accessible to the public. When you host an event at the Center, you’re not just booking a historic and welcoming venue — you’re directly supporting programs that serve the Clarkston and DeKalb community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://clarkstoncommunitycenter.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarkston.community.center/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkstonCommunityCenter
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90752911/admin/page-posts/published/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ClarkstonCenter
- Other: https://www.100yearsofcommunity.com/
Image Credits
Boon Vong
