Meet Parmis Mokhtari-Dizaji | Student & Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Parmis Mokhtari-Dizaji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Parmis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My name is Parmis Mokhtari-Dizaji, a high school senior from Boston. I like to think of myself as a maker. I know how to solder and build circuits; I can work with heavy tools and do carpentry; code and program robots, and create all sorts of gizmos. I enjoy the process. I enjoy the challenge. In fact, since a young age, I had always enjoyed making things with my hands, which I owe a lot to the opportunities I had to play when I was a little kid. When I was younger, legos were my world. Though they were just plastic bricks, I could create whatever my heart desired. A bunch of plastic lego pieces could become a castle for my toys in under an hour or a carriage to transport people from one lego town to another. The possibilities were endless. And then… the pandemic hit, a trying time where we were all encouraged to reflect and think about how we could best support each other. For me, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the young children stuck at home, who were spending their formative years having nothing to do, and I knew I had to do something about it. So I started my non-profit, Circle of Bricks, to bring play and purpose to kids in need in my area. I had the idea and the change I wanted to see in my community, so all that was left was taking that leap and taking action to make that change happen. That is how the Circle of Bricks was born. However, this experience ended up being an even bigger eye-opening experience for me. It allowed me to see how great the needs and challenges in my community were and the importance of continuing my efforts even after the lockdown was lifted.
Almost two years later, the circle of Circle of Bricks is now even bigger, growing not just in Boston but also in the Memphis and Milwaukee areas. CJ, a teenager from Tennessee who had joined the Circle of Bricks team this past year, also knew how Legos could be so impactful in strengthening problem-solving skills, focus, and ability to create tangible 3-D structures. After learning about Circle of Bricks, CJ was inspired immediately and wanted to help in any way he could. Since then, he has been growing the foundation in the Memphis and Milwaukee areas, two cities he is from, and hopes he can make a difference in.
Since the start of Circle of Bricks, the non-profit has successfully donated to over 95 schools and hospitals in four states. It has also formed partnerships with local businesses. Though this has helped, this is just the start. Brick by brick, Circle of Bricks can help even more classrooms and give them a resource for both creativity and fun for the students. I have to thank the Flagship Clubhouse in Roxbury, MA for the support they have given me since the beginning to get me to where I am today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Spreading the joy of imagination, creativity, and creation to every kid, independent of their background, matters the most to me. Anybody can be a problem-solver if they are given a chance to let their imagination soar freely. Circle of Bricks works to give joy, creativity, stress-reduction, and confidence-building skills to kids who otherwise may not have the means for Lego bricks. We believe playing with Legos nurtures our abilities to imagine. We are hoping to encourage more children to continue to imagine and dare to become the problem solvers of tomorrow! What matters most to the Circle of Bricks is making a difference in the lives of kids within the community, knowing how both enjoyable and beneficial Legos have been.

We have recently started donating Legos to blind children in schools for the blind by partnering with Bricks for the Blind.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So, when it comes to Boston, my go-to spots for grabbing a bite are hands down the North End – you can’t beat the vibes and the food at places like Giacomo’s. And of course, there is Mike’s Pastry (my favorite is the pistachio cannoli!) If it’s more of a snack-and-stroll kind of day, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is also the move. You never know what things you might stumble upon there, and there are usually street performers adding to the fun.

In terms of activities, my favorite place to visit since I was a little kid was the Museum of Science. There, you can see cool exhibits and even catch a show in the huge Omni theater. It’s like a playground for your brain, but in the coolest way possible.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As I have gotten older, my love for making has expanded beyond personal creations. It was The Flagship Clubhouse Makerspace in Roxbury, MA that welcomed me into what became a second home, a vibrant community where creativity flourished, and ideas were brought to life. Here, I discovered a purpose beyond my own creations: to give back and support others who, like me, faced hardships but dared to dream.

Joining the youth council at The Flagship Clubhouse presented me with an opportunity to provide other young people with the chance to explore making and unleash their creative potential. I understood the profound impact a nurturing space could have on a young maker’s journey.

Through The Flagship Clubhouse and the people I have met there, I discovered that the true essence of making extends beyond the physical act of creating—it is about creating opportunities, building connections, and supporting one another’s dreams. Specifically, I would like to thank Kasiemba Okeyo and Kahmal London, two very talented, influential, and inspiring mentors I met through the Clubhouse. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Website: https://www.circleofbricks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecircleofbricks/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3O2jDSS36I