Inspiring Conversations with Brianna Bashoura of Faith Forward LA (FFLA)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Bashoura.

Hi Brianna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Southern California by two loving immigrant parents. I feel very fortunate to have been born in a place that offers so many opportunities. However, just because I was always here didn’t mean that I knew where I wanted to go in life. Sometimes the closer you are, the less you’re able to see.

After graduating from high school, I moved away for college but remained close to home, attending the University of California, Riverside. While it was a change for me, it gave me the tools I needed to make meaningful connections and expand my knowledge. This is where I discovered that numbers, problem-solving, and strategic thinking were my strengths, and I graduated with a degree in Business with a concentration in Finance.

Shortly after graduating, I landed a job at one of the most reputable global entertainment companies through a connection I made at UCR. Sony Pictures Entertainment has been my place of work for the past four years, and it has truly changed my life. Being in this environment showed me just how complex the entertainment industry really is and introduced me to some of the most inspiring and hardworking people I’ve ever met. It has also given me the opportunity to work on various film sets and to develop new skills by building on the ones I already have.

Aside from my day job, I have always had a passion for helping others. I grew up volunteering at my local church and later spearheaded the annual summer program alongside my cousin, who shares my passion for community service. Over four years, the program grew from about 30 kids to over 120, a milestone that remains one of my proudest accomplishments. Bringing love and joy to a community, especially while guiding others on their spiritual journeys, has always been a key motivator for me.

I’ve also always loved planning and hosting events. Over time, that grew from gatherings with friends and family to hosting events for kids, young adults, and even seniors in nursing homes. Once I was able to combine my love for bringing people together with my background in finance, things started to fall into place. In November of 2024, that led to the creation of Faith Forward LA.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most people, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I didn’t always know where I was headed.

Early on, my biggest challenge was balancing full-time work in a fast-paced corporate environment with staying deeply involved in faith, teaching catechism, and leading church programs and community events. It hasn’t always been easy. There were definitely moments when I felt stretched thin.

Over time, the supportive and encouraging culture we’ve built at Faith Forward LA has helped me realize that balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly at once. It means showing up with good intentions, leaning on the community, and trusting that growth happens over time.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Faith Forward LA (FFLA) is a nonprofit organization committed to bringing together young adults across Los Angeles through faith, service events, and social gatherings. It began as a small group of people who longed for a place to come together and build meaningful relationships with like-minded individuals, and in just one year, it has grown into a close-knit community of nearly 100 members.

What sets us apart is the balance we create between faith and fellowship. We host a mix of social, service-based and faith-inspired events that foster meaningful connections. We kicked off last year with a Vision Board Night featuring a guest speaker, music, and food, giving members faith-filled inspiration to plan ahead and set goals. We also helped organize an Ash Wednesday Mass at our local church, followed by a Bonfire Worship Night featuring live music, reflection, and s’mores, set against the beautiful sunset in Huntington Beach. We also held friendly competitions for Topgolf, pickleball, and pumpkin carving and painting.

During the last holiday season, we focused heavily on service, organizing initiatives such as setting up a nativity at our local church, volunteering at a senior home, and hosting a Christmas Toy Drive that collected over 500 toys for children in the community.

Something I would really love for people to know is that all of our events are open to everyone. Our community includes people at many different stages of life and on their faith journeys, and we strive to create a space where everyone feels welcomed and supported.

You can follow us on Instagram at @faithforwardla, and if you’d like to get involved or hear about future events, you can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYnE1UQhWAJxQJ1pD4uKYm3QzLztmkjJELHwQrjPixvPNZTQ/viewform

How do you define success?
The way I define success is the feeling I get when someone tells me that what I’m doing is making a difference in their life. Although much of my work is rooted in faith, at its core, it’s simply about being a good and decent human and living a life with love, empathy, and consistency, not perfection. My hope is for FFLA to continue to grow, and if we can bring more people together through faith, service, and community, that’s success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.faithforwardla.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithforwardla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582693330060
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@faithforwardla