Aida Alami a freelance journalist who covers North Africa and other places. She regularly contributes to The New York Times, Al Jazeera English, Foreign Policy, the Financial Times and USA Today. She grew up in Marrakesh and moved to New York City at the age of 18. She got her BA in Media Studies from Hunter College and master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She is also a member of Associated Reporters Abroad and is on the advisory board of the 2014 Peabody Award winner Round Earth Media.