Aref arrived in the United States as a refugee 2 years ago. Born in Sudan, raised in Saudi Arabia and educated in India, he now calls San Francisco home. Though trained as a financier, Aref found his passion and livelihood when he opened Z Zoul Cafe serving the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.
When he first started, the space where his cafe is located was in dire condition. Aref explained, “I had to clean it myself. It was all full of...