Since Nabil Cherif was old enough to walk to school on his own, his Ommi (mother) would walk with him the first two blocks, turn the corner together and would send him off saying, translated from his Tunisian dialect, "Go, Live Up to the Meaning of your Name." She'd wave to him and watch until he made the turn around the next corner, which was another block away. Sometimes, he would run back to the corner to see if she was still watching and she would be! For many cultures, including mine, a person's name is significant. Nabil means noble; honorable; doing the right thing.
Ommi's words and the image of her waving goodbye are with him everywhere he goes. Now, living in the United States, Nabil has learned that names aren't necessarily about their specific meaning, but about the connection it has with us individually as we live life together. Nabil humbly invites you to join him on a journey. A story of life's challenges, successes, heartbreaks, loves, and how he's tried to live up to the meaning of his name, but more importantly, how you too can live up to your name's meaning.
Author Biography:
Nabil Cherif was born in Tunisia, migrating to France, Germany, Italy, Malta, England, Switzerland, and Cyprus, before settling in Kansas City in 2000. While attending college at Johnson County Community College, and later the University of Kansas, Nabil worked a variety of jobs, one of which was as an interpreter. Fluent in French, Arabic, and English, Nabil witnessed firsthand the positive impacts of interpreting, one to be of service, but just as importantly, to be the bridge that helped others to not just be heard but understood. During a serendipitous visit to San Francisco, California, Nabil reflected upon his humble North African beginnings. Mesmerized by the landscape, and the majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge, he was inspired by the literal metaphor, and so, armed with his personal knowledge of the language services industry, Nabil resolved to start a language services company with equal parts passion and compassion. In 2007, Bridging the Gap Interpreting, LLC was formed. Owning and operating a business was only the start, and over the years, Nabil has continued to grow both personally and professionally. He is a degreed blackbelt martial artist and has trained extensively to become a certified personal trainer with the International Sport Science Association, with several consulting acknowledgements in published sports training books. Nabil is a certified motivational teacher and speaker with the John Maxwell Team, and a proud graduate of various leadership courses including the Ultimate Leadership Training through the Growth Skills Foundation, Klemmer and Associates, and the You Lead Now program through the Kansas Leadership Center. In 2023, Nabil will add published book author to his resume, in the form of a reflective guide focusing on entrepreneurship, experience and education, integral foundations which support Nabil's passion to help others bridge gaps while they navigate their own personal journeys.
