Sekou Siby, 9/11 Survivor, Reflects on Guilt and Service After World Trade Center Attack
Sekou Siby, a survivor of the September 11, 2001, attacks, shares his personal story of survival, loss, and subsequent dedication to helping others. Siby, who was scheduled to work at the Windows on the World restaurant on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower, exchanged shifts with a colleague, Moisés Rivas, saving his own life. Rivas was among the 2,700 people who died in the attack. Siby lost 79 co-workers that day, including his close friend Abdoul Karim, and has grappled with survivor's guilt. He initially became a taxi driver, avoiding social interaction, but later channeled his grief into volunteering and advocacy for restaurant workers. Siby eventually became president of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, a national non-profit, and now owns a management consulting firm for non-profits. He recently encountered Rivas's widow, Elizabeth, which intensified his feelings of guilt, though he recognizes he was not responsible for the tragedy. 
