Aisha Sultan

Photos provided by Aisha Sultan

5(ish) Questions for is a chance to discover and learn about St. Louis Creatives, Community Champions, and, well, just interesting people in and around our city. It's a deep dive into what they love and where their passion lies. It's an opportunity for all of us to see our region from a different perspective. This written interview is a peek into their lives and their outlook on St. Louis.


Meet Aisha Sultan: voracious reader, passionate storyteller, and trailblazing journalist. Her innovative approach to storytelling, extending to filmmaking, is dedicated to making people feel seen and heard. From books to films, she continually aims to connect with and inspire her audience.


Why do you do the work you do?
I love listening to people's stories, asking questions and telling stories. I love a good story.

How did you get started?
I started as a voracious reader who took comfort in books. I also read the advice columns and comics in newspapers as a young child.

What impact are you making, or hope to make?
I hope I help people feel seen and heard.

What drives you? What gets you out of bed every morning?
I love connecting with people, learning new things and experiencing the everyday beauty around me.

What are some of the most important things that our audience can do to support you?
Subscribe to StlToday.com, read our stories online and share the ones you find most compelling.

What are some unique or innovative approaches you take? 
I've learned how to make films in the past few years.

How is your industry evolving?
Legacy media companies are trying to figure out how to make money in a digital information age.

What are some of your goals for the next year or the next five years?
I want to publish a couple of books and make a few more films.

What inspires you about St. Louis?
The people of St. Louis inspire me.

What is a favorite neighborhood or favorite thing about the place you live or work?
There are some gorgeous hiking trails in St. Louis County.

What’s your current cultural obsession?
Watching the decline of Twitter. It's heartbreaking because I loved that place.

What do you do in your spare time?
Make films, read, host people in my home, cook, travel, hike, play with Frankie, my dog, teach, speak to various groups, attend a lot of parties.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Samosas and chai.

Would you like to add anything else?
Our daughter is a sophomore in college, and our son is a senior in high school. I'm still coming to terms by how quickly this happened. Lots of mixed emotions around this.


About STL.org

Driven by a mission to discover and share our favorite parts of the community, STL.org is a nonprofit effort to advocate, support, and promote creativity in the St. Louis region. Help us by subscribing to our newsletter and YouTube channels, sharing with your friends, and sending us your favorite stories and characters that are enriching our city.

Content and video production are supported by creators and private donors within the St. Louis region. Support local!

Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is a multi-disciplinary entrepreneur, filmmaker, and publisher with a strong focus on storytelling, community building, and the human experience. His work primarily revolves around creating documentary short films through Once Films for various clients, including civic organizations, corporations, and major nonprofits. He values innovative design, thoughtful cinematography, and seamless technology integration. Chris is also the founder of STL.org, a platform dedicated to storytelling in St. Louis, reflecting his commitment to community engagement.

https://oncefilms.com
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