Khalil AbuSharekh established Hakaya/the Story Tellers in 2012. Khalil is originally from Gaza, Palestine where he was born and raised. He studied graphic design/multimedia there. He lived several years in the United Arab Emirates working in multimedia. In 2008, he moved to the US and has been living in Houston, Texas since.

He is a freelance photographer and videographer. He works with commercial, non-profit and community organizations, using film to help them tell their stories.

Hakaya gallery opened in October 2012. It is located in Houston Texas at Spring Street Studios.