Remarkable Armenians

Profiles of Armenians who overcame extraordinary odds and accomplished extraordinary things. A celebration of their stories.

“From Nobel laureates and NASA astronauts to inventors, philanthropists, and unsung heroes — these are the stories every Armenian should know, and every person can be inspired by."

Featured

Dr Nina Garsoian - Professor, Historian and Writer

Born in Paris to parents who escaped the Armenian Genocide, Nina Garsoian traded a promising career as a classical pianist to unearth the centuries-deep roots of Armenian civilization. She built the Armenian Studies program at Columbia University, became a foremost authority on Armenian and Byzantine history, and received the Movses Khorenatsi Medal — one of Armenia's highest cultural awards.

Kirk Kerkorian - Entrepreneur Extraordinaire

Kirk Kerkorian, born in 1917 to Armenian immigrants, overcame poverty to become a legendary entrepreneur. A boxer-turned-pilot, he built aviation businesses before reshaping Las Vegas with landmark casinos including the MGM Grand. He saved MGM studios and donated over $1 billion to Armenia through his Lincy Foundation, while remaining remarkably private.

Kim Hekimian – Nutrition and Public Health Expert

A Nutrition and Public Health Expert refers to someone who has studied and learned how to improve the lives of children and adults in countries who have faced economic and war related blockades or who have poor means of good food availability. They also plan and coordinate nutrition programs and services for communities, adapting them to meet specific cultural needs. That is what Kim Hekimian has done and this is her story.

Edmond and Nora Azadian - An extraordinary couple

Edmond and Nora Azadian were influential cultural figures dedicated to Armenian heritage. Edmond, a prolific journalist and activist, significantly shaped Armenian education, culture, and politics. Nora, an accomplished artist and educator, passionately promoted Armenian arts worldwide. Together, their extensive cultural, educational, and philanthropic contributions profoundly impacted Armenian communities, leaving a lasting legacy of devotion to Armenian identity.

“From Nobel laureates and NASA astronauts to inventors, philanthropists, and unsung heroes — these are the stories every Armenian should know, and every person can be inspired by."

Remarkable Armenians was created to share the stories of Armenian men and women whose lives deserve to be known — inventors who changed industries, doctors who saved thousands, artists who preserved a culture, and everyday people who did extraordinary things. Since 2019, author Charlene Apigian has researched and written over 25 in-depth profiles, drawing on her years as host of HARC – The Heritage of Armenian Culture radio program and a lifelong passion for Armenian history.

Meet the Team Behind Remarkable Armenians

Charlie and Charlene Apigian after speaking at the Armenian American Forum in Nashville, TN, March 2025.

Charlene Apigian — Author & Researcher

Charlene Apigian is a former music and social studies teacher who spent years educating students in Redford Union Public Schools and at the Manoogian School on the campus of St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, Michigan. She is also a former host of HARC — The Heritage of Armenian Culture radio program, where she honed her skills as a storyteller and researcher under the mentorship of producer Edmond Azadian.

Charlene's passion for uncovering remarkable Armenian stories began with a simple belief: "To be proud, one must also be informed." What started as poster displays in local Armenian churches — created alongside friends Gloria Korkoian and Doris Krikorian — grew into this blog, where she has researched and written over 25 in-depth profiles of Armenians whose lives deserve to be known. Together with her late husband Ardash, Charlene donated a replica of the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide monument to St. John's Armenian Church in 2015. She continues this work in his memory and in honor of all Armenians whose stories deserve to be told.

Charlie Apigian — Editor & Technology

Charlie Apigian is Charlene's son and the one who made this blog possible. A data and AI strategist based in Nashville, Tennessee, Charlie is the founder of Data Inspire, a consulting firm that helps organizations think differently with data and reimagine their processes with AI. He is also the author of AI Reimagined: A Leader's Guide to Thinking Different with Data.

Charlie brings his technology background to Remarkable Armenians, serving as editor and managing the technical side of the site. His goal is to help his mother's research and writing reach Armenians — and anyone who appreciates stories of resilience and achievement — around the world.