BAYT Interviews Ep. 8: Cassy Akouri
Welcome to BAYT’s eighth interview! In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Cassy Akouri, a Lebanese-American artist behind Mish Mush Kids. Each of the goods Mish Mush Kids produces is inspired by Arabic phrases, commonplace foods, and childhood memories. Akouri’s endeavors are a testament to the strength of the Arab diaspora’s creativity.
Q1: What is an important value or belief you have that stems from your ethnicity?
Growing up Lebanese, I learned that language carries identity. Arabic is not just communication, it holds our humor, affection, poetry, and shared memory. There was a period in my generation where many of us felt pressure to quiet that part of ourselves. That experience shaped me deeply. It made me believe that culture should not shrink to fit in. It should live openly in our homes and in our daily lives. As a mother, I feel a responsibility to make Arabic feel joyful, visible, and woven into everyday life for my children.
Q2: How has running Mish Mush Kids strengthened the Arab community and your personal connection to Arab culture?
I truly believe we are in a moment of cultural reawakening among millennial Arab parents. After years of silence, there is a strong desire to see Arabic alive in everyday life again, not just spoken privately, but worn proudly and celebrated. Building Mish Mush Kids has connected me to that movement. As an artist, I revisit Arabic words, childhood expressions, and visual traditions and reinterpret them in a way that feels modern and approachable. The response to Mish Mush Kids in just a few months has been overwhelming and humbling. The support feels like collective validation that families were waiting for this. It reminds me that our culture is filled with beauty, and people are ready to embrace it openly again.
Q3: What is the most valuable aspect of sustaining your business, in your opinion? How does it inspire you to continue your efforts?
The most valuable part is knowing that what we create becomes part of a child’s everyday environment. A shirt, a book, a toy, these small touchpoints quietly shape identity. The early support we’ve received confirmed that this work matters beyond just product. It feels like we are contributing to something larger, helping normalize Arabic in American spaces. That inspires me to keep building thoughtfully and intentionally.
Q4: What is one thing you want to tell Arab youth reading this about cultivating spaces of representation?
There was a time when many of us felt pressure to soften our accents, translate our names, or keep parts of ourselves quiet. This generation does not have to do that. Arabic is beautiful. Our culture is layered, expressive, and worth celebrating in everyday life.
Mish Mush Kids can be found on Instagram (@mishmush_kids) and their website (mishmushkids.com)
