Meet Rahim Jessani | Founder of The Unfortunate Truth

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rahim Jessani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rahim, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want people to remember that The Unfortunate Truth isn’t about me. It’s about people. I want to show people that we can make a real difference through collective action and being kind to each other. It’s a complicated concept, especially in today’s world which is so divided and full of hate, but it’s something worth fighting for.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The Unfortunate Truth is the first student-led media outlet that aims to protect the most marginalized members of society through grassroots action and education. Unlike other media outlets, we are young, aim to help people, and are NOT driven by profit. Although we hope to have a monetary future, our main priority is covering stories that are affecting people and providing resources to those in need. We hope our actions will create a grassroots movement helping millions of people across the US and inspire more change globally.

However, our success has been limited because of my limitations as a young professional. Although I have years of experience in journalism, I’m still a university student that is dealing with the issues of navigating college life and trying to economically survive. This has affected me from having time to run my company and follow the news cycle – two things that need my undivided attention for my work. The struggle of building my financial safety net while also trying to make a difference has been one of the toughest challenges in my life.

But I will always keep fighting for my work because I believe in it. I will continue to learn from my mistakes and grow TUT despite not having as many resources as I would like to. That is what I want TUT’s identity to be – a media outlet of resilience.

We will always keep fighting the good fight no matter the cost.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I’m from Florida, I consider Boston my home and the place I would take my best friend, Kris, if he was visiting me. I would first take him for a Patriots game at Foxborough even though he is a Giants fan. The Boston and football atmosphere would be the perfect day for us. Next, I would take him to Chestnut Hill to see Boston College’s campus and visit my dorm room so he can get a sense of my college experience. Finally, I think we would go eat some heaven-like Pizza, our favorite dish, at Regina’s Pizzeria – the best place in Boston. Even though I know Kris will complain it’s not the same as New York’s Pizza, it’s gonna be a great time with my bestie in my favorite city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I think everybody needs someone in their life who teaches them about love and hope. For me, that person was my grandma. Although I pride myself on educating and helping others through my work, it hasn’t come without its hardships. The hate and difficulties found on social media consumed my reality as they started to affect my content production and how I managed my team. But my grandma was there to give me the emotional support I always needed. Despite not understanding my work, she helped me through the most difficult times by simply being there, whether it was a hug, kiss, or giving me one of her famous smiles. To put it simply, she was and always will be the love of my life.

Website: theunfortunatetruth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_theunfortunatetruth_/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-unfortunate-truth/about/?viewAsMember=true

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tutmedia_

Image Credits
1. Picture of Rahim and his Grandma during his high school graduation 2. A screenshot of Rahim hosting TUT’s video web series on gender inequality in sports. 3. Rahim’s headshot at Boston College’s Brighton campus 4. The aftermath of a speech competition at Boston College. 5. Rahim speaks at a BC speech competition talking about the importance of making a difference, his grandma, and his hope to start something beyond himself. 6. Rahim speaks at a BC speech competition.