Episode 13: Mariya Goodbrake | Global FC

In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, we sit down with Mariya Goodbrake, 2024 Pinnacle Prize winner, public advocate and founder of Global FC. Mariya shares her own experiences as a refugee and how they fuel her passion for helping refugee youth in Kansas City. From her family’s resettlement to her commitment to promote peace and reconciliation, Mariya's journey is one of resilience, compassion, and the unwavering belief in human potential. We discuss the challenges facing refugees, the power of belonging, and how Global FC is making a difference at the crossroads of soccer and community.

Transcript

Tracy McFerrin:

Welcome to The Pinnacle Pod, the voice of The Pinnacle Prize, an annual award recognizing and supporting passionate people driving significant change in our community. I am Tracy McFerrin, your host as we hear from some of Kansas City's dynamic leaders. From subtle ripples to citywide movements, join us to listen, learn, and be inspired by the determination of remarkable individuals in this episode of The Pinnacle Pod. I'm excited to welcome 2024 Pinnacle Prize winner, Mariya Goodbrake. Mariya is the founder and executive director of Global FC, a nonprofit founded in 2014 that supports Kansas City's youth refugee community through sport. She's also an active public speaker, human rights defender, intercultural trainer and researcher. Her work has received national and international awards, including the 2019 United Nations World Citizen of the Year for Kansas City, presented by Mayor Quentin Lucas. Mariya, thank you for being here today.

Mariya Goodbrake:

Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.

Tracy McFerrin:

So happy to have you. I've got to ask you, before we get started, where were you generally when you heard you won The Prize and what was your first thought?

Mariya Goodbrake:

I was in my kitchen making my coffee <laugh> and I, and no, actually, and my phone was on silence, so I saw a missed call, <laugh>. And so then when I called back and I heard Maurice's voice and he was, he's just an amazing person, so gracious, and he told me I won, and I tried to stay cool and you know, collected. I go, thank you so much. I got off the phone and then started screaming <laugh>.

Tracy McFerrin:

That sounds like a very typical reaction, I would think, for something like that.

Mariya Goodbrake:

Yeah, no, I was extremely humbled and very, very, very, very excited about it.

Tracy McFerrin:

Well, great. Well, let's hear a little bit more about your story. I know you work with the refugee community here through sports. You have a personal experience with the resettlement process as a refugee. Could you tell us a little bit about that, the challenges and things you've learned?

Mariya Goodbrake:

Yes. I came to Kansas City around 2013 at a critical time, not just in the national landscape in terms of refugee resettlement, but a global crisis, a global hysteria around policy regarding immigration and refugee resettlement. And really the big spotlight was on the Syrian crisis. And as much as I came here at a critical time and I saw an opportunity, I think a lot of the passion behind it was actually from my own personal story. 'cause I think there was a part of me where that young little girl from an Afghan refugee family that found new hope and opportunity after displacement and displacement, that I wish that there was a community organization like Global FC that had the opportunity to engage with me and my family and provide the resources that I really wanted. My family is originally from Afghanistan. We escaped during the Soviet invasion, and we escaped to Iran. And from Iran, my family went to India. And from India, after living there for several years, the Canadian government through the United Nations Resettlement Agency gave us new hope in Canada. And so that's where my family grew. And so, as much as you know, that is part of my story, I kind of sit there and I think about what were some of those things as a child that I wish that I could have had. I'm so grateful, I'm so blessed of what I've been able to do in my journey, but there's also so many challenges and restrictions that I had that I wish that, you know, an organization had come alongside not only my family, but my Afghan community and had provided. And when the vision of global FC came at that critical time when I moved here to Kansas City, I wanted to jump and take on that opportunity. 

Tracy McFerrin:

Wow. That is quite a story. You went from Canada as the, the last stop for your family, and then you decided to come to Kansas City in 2013.

Mariya Goodbrake:

No, we had a Mexico in between.

Tracy McFerrin:

You've got a lot of global traveling. 

Mariya Goodbrake:

So, I grew up in Canada. I did my education there. So grateful for the Canadian society of living and growing up there. But this again comes to the challenges of being, especially from a Muslim background. Of a young refugee kid. I saw my older sisters forced into arranged marriages. My sister was only 16 years old. She was forced back to Afghanistan into a marriage. And I think that that really did something in me, and knowing that as much as I'm wanting to integrate into the Western culture and just be a child here and navigate through the new values and beliefs and systems, that there was something that I had to still adhere to the cultural expectations of where I came from. And if I did not abide to it, there would be consequences. And as much as I kind of went through that, and it really did break my heart, because at the end of the day, when people ask me, what are you the most passionate about? And for me is the unleashing of human potential. Every single person, especially underserved children, should have the right to not only explore, but to pursue and unleash their greatest potential. So when I saw my sister at 16 years old in Canada, thrown back to Afghanistan, what I saw was the death of potential. And so I grew up there, and then at the time, around 25, I had the opportunity to leave. I ended up going to Mexico and not coming back home. 

Tracy McFerrin:

And your parents loved that?

Mariya Goodbrake:

No, my gosh, no. I was, no, it was, it was, it was a complete act of disobedience. It was something that no other Afghan girl in our community had done. Because in my culture, you go from your father's home to your husband's home. There's no Mexico in between. And so I went to Mexico and that's really where my spiritual, my, so much of my journey started. And then around 2013, I came to Kansas City. And everything that's happened, you know, just a beautiful place. And I'm so grateful that I was able to come here.

Tracy McFerrin:

So you come to Kansas City and then what makes you decide to set up a football club? And for listeners, football is what it's called internationally. Here in the United States, we call it soccer. Yeah. So how did you get that idea? 

Mariya Goodbrake:

Oh, it's, I'm gonna say something. I usually don't ever, I always said, I'm never gonna be like a soccer mom. Now, I am literally the epitome of soccer mall for like kids from 27 different nations, hundreds of children. I actually didn't know anything about football or soccer. I grew up playing basketball, University of Toronto. So for me, I didn't know anything about that. But I was given the opportunity through an organization in partnership with the United Nations to go to Al Mafraq, which is the border of Syria and Jordan. During the height of the crisis in around 2013 with the Syrians. And it's the second largest refugee camp in the world at that time was hosting, I believe 80,000 to 90,000 refugees. I went into that time and it was really the time of like the ISIS beheadings and all that. So, it was a dangerous place to be.  And I went into the refugee camps knowing the expectations of war and violence. My family came from that. But what I wasn't expecting to see all these children and the way that in these refugee camps, little tiny soccer and nets and stuff were made just to give these children who are almost in purgatory a sense of normality, healing, reconciliation, you know, post-civil war areas of like even genocide in Rwanda, they used soccer, football, as a tool to bring child soldiers to turn them back into this children. For communities that actually slaughtered each other. They used soccer for the children, for reconciliation. So when I came back to Kansas City, I was not interested in building an organization or a ministry. All I wanted was a meaningful tool that would give me access and engagement with the beautiful refugee community that we had here in Kansas City. So I showed up in a community center in Columbus Park here in Kansas City and dropped a soccer ball every single Thursday. And you know what that provided visibility, proximity, engagement with the ethnic pockets, and through that you build relationship, but most importantly credibility. And through that, the organization and the vision grew.

Tracy McFerrin:

There's so much I could talk to you about. I'm gonna try to stay on Kansas City. You mentioned Columbus Park, that's in the northeast side of Kansas City. Were you living there at the time, or did you just pick that as a place to start this issue because of the presence of the refugee community?

Mariya Goodbrake:

No, I wasn't living there. But what I did was, I knew that for me to truly connect and also educate myself about the refugee community here, I started to build relationships with the resettlement agencies. And the primary one for me was Jewish Vocational Services. And they introduced me to the pocket of ethnic communities that were there. What I love about the refugee community in Kansas City, as much as we might not get like the huge numbers, like other major cities, studies have shown that the refugee populations that come here, plant roots, meaning they stay here, they don't have as much of that second migration. So it was so critical for us to really build these long-term programs that support these populations. But what I also recognized was not just here in Kansas City, but across this country, the lack of programs for refugee children. As much as the resettlement agencies and the stakeholders in the communities provide services for the families and housing and medical, and this, what were we doing to truly help these children? And I wanted to be one of those organizations that locked arms with the resettlement agencies and the schools and social workers, and provide these critical opportunities for the kids. But more than anything, this is what I recognized. As much as these children want, you know, language support, economic support, sports, what they're really looking for is a community of belonging. And that's really what Global FC was, the heart and the vision. 10 years ago to what it is today, is we are a community of belonging where kids from all different cultures and religions and backgrounds and stories can come together through the sport of soccer, but mentorship and educational support and come as they are, and we give them the tools to succeed as new Americans.

Tracy McFerrin:

Tell us a little bit about the, not to put you on the spot, but statistics in Kansas City. What are we looking at here for the refugee community that is here?

Mariya Goodbrake:

So, on average, you know, we've got about like 500 refugees a year. 2024 was an amazing year. We actually was like one of the most historic numbers. President Biden at that time really did, you know, had 125,000, um, refugee cap and got almost close to that. So 2024 was an amazing year for refugee resettlement here in Kansas City. Obviously now it's really an unknown of what's going to happen, right? Even some of the new restrictions of providing funding for the refugees that are even here already. The stories that I've heard of, you know, people who have been waiting for years and years, who went through the whole vetting process. And I have to say this, the refugee resettlement program is the most rigorous, lengthy vetting process in the world. This is, we're not bringing in criminals or this and that. These are people who are looking to just start new opportunities. And I can say this, not just because from a policy perspective, from a deep personal perspective, from my own family, you don't, we didn't want to leave our homes. You know, these are people who are politicians, business people who had this, they loved their nations, but the threat of persecution and violence and conflict and violation of human rights, they were forced to leave and they go through the vetting process. And now all those people that went through that are sitting there in limbo and we don't know what's gonna happen. We don't know what the funding is gonna happen. And so it's a scary time, it's a sad time, but I always say this, there's still always opportunity. So my encouragement to people has been for the refugee population that is here, how can we lean in and do even more. To make sure that they are supported while we might be in a walk on the ones that are wanting to come in. 

Tracy McFerrin:

I'm so glad that you talked about the vetting process because I wanted to ask you about what is the system for people who are not familiar with the refugee program and the resettlement program. It is rigorous, as you said, and it's about helping them navigate a new country because they were forced to leave their own. And to that end, I wanna ask you on a personal level, do you still consider yourself a refugee?

Mariya Goodbrake:

That's so funny you said that. I actually sort of said this. So you have to understand, refugee is actually just a legal term. Right? At the same time that, you know, when they come here, you have to be sensitive to the word refugees because a refugee is a legal term. But really what it says is that you came from persecution, conflict, human rights violation, and the journey to get there. And it's almost a process. You know, we, we like to call them new Americans. You know, because they're, you know, I tell my kids my program, you are now Somali American, you know, and they're so proud of that. At the same time, I don't know, there's also a sense of pride because there is just such a heroic and phenomenal journey that comes with that refugee experience. And so I kind of joke not, it might, people might disagree. I say once a refugee, for me, always a refugee, because I'm not ashamed of it. Right. I'm so proud of it. I'm so proud of the journey that my, my parents, my family took, and where we've come from.

Tracy McFerrin:

And the resilience it takes to keep going.

Mariya Goodbrake:

So resilience is the main word that is often used when talking about the refugee community.

Tracy McFerrin:

Well, you mentioned a little bit about the times we are in and there are competing views on immigration and resettlement in the country. How are the changing attitudes affecting your ability to find funding for Global FC offer ongoing services, or even speak to the significance of the refugee community in Kansas City?

Mariya Goodbrake:

Everything in life is about perspective, right? So you can look at it from a perspective that you've got this really unstable political climate around immigration, refugee policy, and then also the actual policies that are implemented and the restrictions as we're seeing today, right? So, the resettlement program is certainly halted, and we don't know what that might look like. And then from a funding perspective, you know, what do you, what does that happen? But I believe in the human spirit, when in times of crisis, people lean in and want to help. I actually think from a funding perspective, when people see that this happening, they know that they can't change policy or whatnot, they're like, how can I help? And I've learned that even when I first moved here to Kansas City, I was really upset with, you know, my neighbors and think, why don't you guys wanna help?I realize now that the average American is not about, they don't wanna help, they don't know how to.  So when you can give them the tangible ways, be it volunteering or donating or this, people will, and we saw, even during Covid, we got more funding and more volunteers than ever before during covid. And I mean, that's, there's a lot in that. But the other part of it I communicate is as much as there's so much of like the restrictions of going on, I tell people there is now 120 million forcibly displaced people on planet Earth. So never before on record in the history of mankind, have we ever seen so many forcibly displaced people in the world.

Tracy McFerrin:

Wow. Mariya, it's so interesting that you say that because in 2017, I went to a museum in Amsterdam and they had an exhibit on artists in designers helping the refugee community, like things that they could do. At that time it was 60 million. That's double in less than 10 years.

Mariya Goodbrake:

Yeah, I like literally got chills. And as you said that, yeah, yeah, because the numbers have been increasing over and over. I think it's one in 69 person on planet Earth is displaced. One in 69 person on planet Earth is displaced.

Tracy McFerrin:

That is amazing.

Mariya Goodbrake:

And so, bringing it back to Kansas City. Sometimes when you look at a number, like 120 million, you think, what can I really do? What can, it's just so out of scope that you don't, but here's what that small trickle of amount that does come here we as a welcoming city have an obligation to what can we do for the small numbers that do come here. Small, but they're still significant. What can we do to be a welcoming city and to ensure that they get the tools and the resources and the relationships and the engagements to thrive here as new Americans in Kansas City and contribute in a powerful way to this amazing city. 

Tracy McFerrin:

Well, tell us, you've mentioned a lot of people don't know what to do, where to do it. What can the Kansas City community do to support refugee youth and get involved?

Mariya Goodbrake:

Yeah, I mean, we need volunteers. Volunteers are our hands and feet in the community. They are the ones that go and are connecting with the children. They're the ones who are mentoring, but we also partner with incredible organizations. The resettlement agencies are looking for volunteers as well. We have multitude of organizations across the city who are working and engaging with the same population that we do, doing what they do well. And so part of the vision for Global FC has not only been about providing our resources and support at what we are good at, which is youth development, sports and family engagement, and all of that. We've built this awesome ecosystem around us of community resource partners, and we wanna make sure that they are getting the support as well to engage with this population. So, reach out to us, volunteer with us, fund us. But at the same time, we would also love to connect you with this amazing ecosystem of community resource partners that are in this city who also need volunteers. 

Tracy McFerrin:

That's great. I know your work extends past the services of Global FC. What's next for you?

Mariya Goodbrake:

I'm currently working on my book. I'm working on my book right now. I'm also launching on my podcast in the next six months. I'm also part of Empower Women's Media, which is the largest women-led human rights network in the world. I'm one of the founding members for that as well. And so, we are doing a major project in Israel and Morocco in the next year. So really our area of focus is religious freedom. It's a United Nations Article 18, Declaration of Human Rights. Again, throwing a huge number, almost 80% of people population live in areas of this world where they don't have the basic right for the religious of freedom, conscience, and belief. And they can't live in accordance to those beliefs. That is unbelievable when you think of the fact that we're in 2025. So part of my initiative and my, you know, commitment is to build this network and create certain conferences in Canada, here in Kansas City and elsewhere of bringing like-minded people who can really combat and have those interreligious conversation and to promote peace and reconciliation. 

Tracy McFerrin:

That's wonderful. We'll look forward to seeing that and hearing more about it, I hope. How can people connect with you and find your book when it comes out? Do you wanna give us any titles? You wanna break any news here?

Mariya Goodbrake:

Yeah. You know what? I am gonna throw in a title here, and I'm gonna tell you this, it was 20 years ago, this title came, and I never understood why after 20 years I realized now why, and I'll break that down another time. But it's called You're Not a Prophet Anymore.

Tracy McFerrin:

You're Not a Prophet Anymore.

Mariya Goodbrake:

Yes. And then the other way you guys can connect with us is, uh, through our website, you know, reach out, get my email. I'd love to connect with people and connect them to other great people in this city. Our website, globalfutbol.org. That's not American football, it's F-U-T-B-O-L. It's a globalfutbol.org. Everything about us is there and ways that you can connect with us is there also.

Tracy McFerrin:

Wonderful. Mariya, this has been a pleasure to talk to you. I know that our listeners have probably enjoyed and learned a lot. Thank you, and I hope we meet again.

Mariya Goodbrake:

Thank you so much for having me.

Tracy McFerrin:

The Pinnacle Prize believes in the power of one person sparking collective change. If you enjoy hearing directly from leaders Pushing Kansas City Forward, please share this episode with your friends and family. To learn more about others creating change in our community, follow The Pinnacle Prize on LinkedIn. Check out previous Pinnacle Pod episodes and sign up for our newsletter at pinnacleprizekc.org.