9 Arab Americans Recognized as "Trailblazers" for their Contributions to the Arab America Foundation
The Arab America Foundation was proud to honor nine exceptional Arab Americans as “Trailblazers” for their dedication to blazing new paths and making a significant impact on the mission and objectives of the organization.
These individuals set an example for others to follow and made significant contributions to their communities and our community as a whole. We were honored to recognize their achievements and contributions on Saturday, November 5th at the 2022 Connect Arab America: Empowerment Summit which was held at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia.
2023 Trailblazers:
Stefan Ateek (Texas)
Stefan Ateek, LMSW-AP, LMFT, LCDC, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Collin College. Ateek was born in Nazareth, Palestine, and he is passionate about serving his community. Stefan serves on numerous community boards and local chapters of respected organizations such as Health Outreach to the Middle East Board Member DFW Chapter, Arab America Foundation Texas Team Leader and Member of the National Team, Catholic Charities Urban Manor Board Member, Arab American Friends of Nazareth Outreach Board Member, and the Nazareth Hospital Ambassador in the US. Finally, Stefan is a Nazareth Project Inc. Board Member and a Mariam Foundation Ambassador in the US.
Pierre Bejjani (Ohio)
Pierre Bejjani is the Managing Director and Executive Editor for the Arabic/English Profile News Ohio and Senior Partner at Diversity Advertising Agency. He works extensively in the local Arab community to educate others about the importance of diversity within our cultures. Pierre has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University. Bejjani is originally from Lebanon and currently serves as President of the Cleveland American Middle East Organization. He is also the Founder and Chair of the American Lebanese Community Council. Bejjani serves on numerous advocacy boards, including for the US Army and local arts organizations in Cleveland. Finally, he is very supportive of and champions the mission of the Arab America Foundation.
Ed Chidiac (Virginia)
Ed Chidiac is the son of Syrian immigrants from Aleppo and grew up in a Syrian enclave in Paterson, New Jersey. The neighborhood was full of aunts, uncles, and family friends who visited often. The Chidiacs celebrated 100 years in America in 2020. Ed and his wife, Apryl, moved to Alexandria, Virginia, in 2018 and have been Arab America “Cousins” since 2019. In addition to his annual work for National Arab American Heritage Month – namely the governor proclamation project – Ed supports his wife’s work with Karam Foundation aiding Syrian refugees. Ed is a retired banker, having worked in London, New York, Chicago, and Pittsburgh for several financial institutions. He graduated from Seton Hall, Catholic University, and the American Graduate School of International Management. Ed is the father of four ( all of whom play Basra ) and Gido of two grandchildren (who will learn to play).
Mohammad Enayah (Michigan/North Carolina)
Mohammad Enayah, a Palestinian from Majdal Askalan, was born in Kuwait and emigrated to the US as a 17-year-old to pursue his education in architecture and industrial design. Mohammad received his Master’s degree in Industrial Design and went to work for General Motors where one one of his biggest contributions is the rebranding of the Cadillac. Switching careers to go and design The Marina at Palm Jumaira in Dubia, then he helped to launch the icon Pepsi bottle in the US and globally. Currently, Mohammad is working on designing a new generation of electric trucks for Volvo. When Mohammad is not designing, he is painting subjects from Palestine, spending precious time with his lovely wife Manal, their three kids, and the grandchild. Mohammad is a Palestinian social activist on social media with millions of viewers. Let us not forget that he is a closeted comedian performing under a pseudonym.
Lily Karam (California)
Lily Mazzawi Karam was born and raised in Haifa. As a young adult, she balanced school, work, and activism. In 1975, Lily married Karim Karam and made California a home away from their homeland. Lily was involved with the Palestine Arab Fund, volunteered with Soroptimist International, and chaired the Middle Eastern Food Festival at her church for 7 years. In 2005 she was elected as the president of the southern California chapter of The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, where she spearheaded the organization’s growth and ran it with her amazing board members for 10 years. In 2017 Lily co-founded the Palestine Foundation, a 501(C3) non-profit organization with its mission to advance sustainable projects in education, health, habitat, and the arts. As a proud Palestinian American, no matter where she is, she brings her passion and love of Palestine.
Reem Khaldi (Virginia)
Reem Khaldi is a Palestinian American who has lived in the Washington DC area for the past 30+ years. She graduated from McLean High School (1990) and has a double major in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Music from Longwood College, Farmersville, VA (1994) & a graduate degree in Clinical Embryology & Andrology from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She was previously involved in the International United Club at McLean HS and the International Studies House at Longwood College where she represented Palestine and the Palestinian culture. Khaldi has served the Arab American Community in the capacity of the Virginia American political forum since 2008. Since 2014, she has been on the Advisory Board for the New Dominion PAC. She has also assisted with Virginia Arab American Business Forum Dinners. Reem is a very active fundraiser for Virginia candidates and works tirelessly to “get out the vote” and phone banks.
Alma Korkor (Ohio)
Alma Khoury Korkor has been an American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) board member for ten years and an Executive Board Member for the past six years. She also serves as a board member of NAAWA and is on the board of directors for The American Syrian humanitarian organization, Togetherness US. Alma is an activist and writer from a family of academics who has had a significant impact on the Arab world. She studied in Syria, France, and America and has had an impressive and diverse career. Alma is a teacher of Arabic who has written and translated numerous pieces, including a publication discussing the treatment of children during times of disaster. In Ohio, Alma worked in real estate, owned a Middle Eastern restaurant, served as a radio host for an Arab American program, and was the President of the City International Festival. She has been active with various local political initiatives. Alma has been a guest speaker at schools and civic events on Arab American issues and introduced many Americans to Arab culture and heritage. Most recently, she joined the Board of Directors for the Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi. Alma also serves on the Arab American Institute’s Leadership Council and was previously the auxiliary president of the National Arab American Medical Association.
Tom Lazieh (Rhode Island)
Thomas Lazieh, a Syrian and Lebanese American, has dedicated his life to public and community service. He is originally from Pawtucket, RI, and currently lives in Central Falls, RI. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was appointed to numerous positions within the Central Falls, RI government, and from 1990 to 1996, he served as the Mayor and Public Safety Director for the city. In addition, Lazieh has been involved in numerous causes to better the lives of Rhode Islanders, and Arab Americans, and was also an Elections Monitor for the first democratic elections in Palestine. Closer to home, Lazieh has worked to promote Democratic governance, and he serves on the boards of many distinguished organizations including the American Red Cross, Notre Dame Hospital Auxiliary Board, Central Falls Community Chapter, Progreso Latino, and the Arab American Institute. Finally, he is also a lifelong parishioner of St. Basil the Great Melkite Catholic Church in Central Falls, RI, and he proudly serves as a representative for the Arab America Foundation’s Team Rhode Island.
Fred Shwaery (Virginia)
Fred Shwaery grew up in a typical Lebanese American household in Pawtucket, RI. After college, Shwaery began his career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Rhode Island before transferring to Washington. He worked at the IRS for 26 years in various tax positions. Fred was promoted to a position with the Department of Transportation and was the training director for the Federal Highway Administration. He has been involved in politics for 20 years and has held a variety of responsibilities in local Virginia political organizations. Currently, Fred is helping Democracy Volunteers, a London-based organization that will be observing the US election. He is also on the board of the New Dominion PAC, the political voice of Arab Americans in Virginia.
Compiled by Arab America
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