Arab America Foundation 2023 Year in Review
By: Claire Boyle / Arab America Contributing Writer
Introduction:
The Arab America Foundation (AAF) experienced many amazing accomplishments during the year 2023. The year saw historic Arab music and cultural performances on the legendary Kennedy Center stage in Washington, D.C.; then was followed by numerous young Arab American initiatives such as the competitions for Rising Leaders in the categories of “20 Under 20,” “30 Under 30,” and “40 Under 40”. In addition, dozens of proclamations were requested and obtained in celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Furthermore, intense planning and an impressive lineup for the fourth annual Connect Arab America: Empowerment Summit was created, and finally, it was finished with AAF’s newest initiative, “Healing Together” to bring Arab Americans together during the tragic war in Palestine, and to help move forward despite the unfortunate cancellation of our Summit.
This article reviews the highlights and accomplishments of the Arab America Foundation for 2023.
February 17 to 19, 2023 – “Taking Back Our Narrative,” sponsored by the Kennedy Center:
In the early months of 2023, the Arab America Foundation embarked on creating an event of historic proportions, which was to bring Arab and Arab American artists, musicians, and films to the world-renowned stage of The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. This initiative titled, “Taking Back Our Narrative,” was presented in “full collaboration with the Arab America Foundation, and [spoke] to the fullness and diversity of the Arab American experience, values, and cultural landscape throughout the United States.”
The event also was treated to an exhibition of Arab American art by the renowned artist, Helen Zughaib, titled, “Telling Our Stories.” The flier’s theme for the initiative was based on and inspired by Zughaib’s artwork.
The “Taking Back Our Narrative” initiative was hosted by the Kennedy Center over three days – February 17 to 19, 2023, and it included legendary performances by the National Arab Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Michael Ibrahim, and it featured vocalists as diverse as Lubana Al-Quntar, Usama Baalbaki, and Nai Barghouti.
Saturday’s performance saw the exciting sounds and beats of Emad Batayeh, a famous Arab American singer who performed on one of the most significant stages in the world.
The event concluded on Sunday with an exposition of Arab and Arab American films from the Arab Media and Film Institute which featured many fantastic films that were representative of the Arab American diaspora.
“Taking Back Our Narrative” was attended by over 1,200 people from 26 states.
March 2023: Arab America Foundation Announced Its 20 Under 20 Awardees:
On March 29, 2023, the Arab America Foundation announced its awardees for its “20 Under 20” initiative which recognizes “Arab American students who are 16-20 years old and have achieved spectacular success in academics, work/internships, community service, and extracurricular activities.”
This year’s “20 Under 20” awardees hailed from over 10 states and accomplished everything from being an elected politician to playing varsity sports, helping out refugees, excelling in academics, and becoming a Rising Leader in the Arab American community.
April 2023: National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM):
The celebration of April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) reached new heights in 2023, including the Arab America Foundation’s event being held at Amazon headquarters in Arlington, VA; a proclamation by President Biden’s administration declaring the month to be NAAHM nationally. Moreover, dozens of proclamations were obtained by volunteers and state teams with the AAF, and a resolution in California permanently designated April as NAAHM.
The Arab America Foundation (AAF) in collaboration with its state teams and vast network of volunteers received proclamations from 46 states including Washington, D.C., and a total of 144 proclamations, resolutions, and statements.” Of particular note and importance are three recognitions that the AAF received in 2023 from distinguished figures in the U.S. Government, including U.S. President Joe Biden in a historic proclamation that recognized April as NAAHM. In addition, congratulatory videos were received from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden along with U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona.
AAF also held an exciting event on April 26, 2023, that commemorated April as NAAHM at Amazon Headquarters in collaboration with Arabs at Amazon working group. The event included Dabke and Zeffi from the Faris El-Layl Folkloric Dance Troupe, and remarks from distinguished figures in the Arab American community including Warren David and Dr. Amal David, the Co-Founders of the Arab America Foundation, Issam Andoni, the Vice Chairman of the Arab America Foundation, Carl Hage, Founder of Arabs at Amazon, and Dr. James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute.
Moreover, the program had remarks from government officials including Brenda Abdelal, the Assistant Secretary of Partnership and Engagement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Hady Amr, the Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs at the U.S. State Department, Hanene Tajouri Bessassi, the new Ambassador of Tunisia. Videos of Dr. Jill Biden, and Dr. Miguel Cardona were also well received at this gathering.
Special entertainment for the event was provided by Heather Raffo, an Iraqi-American playwright and actress who performed her newest piece, “What Arab Americans Know.
The evening was concluded with an extravagant Arab fashion show and with the famous Usama Baalbaki who sang “Mawtini” and other popular songs that inspired Dabke dancing.
May 2023: California Passes Permanent Resolution Recognizing April as NAAHM:
May 26, 2023, saw the passage of a historic permanent resolution. The California State Assembly passed Concurrent Resolution 58 (ACR-58), designating the month of April as NAAHM. This permanent resolution was made possible by the Arab America Foundation’s Team California and it was introduced by Eloise Gomez Reyes, who represents District 50. California’s Arab American population is the “most prominent with close to 700,000 with representation from 22 Arab states.”
June 2023: Arab America Foundation Announces its “30 Under 30” Awardees:
On June 14, 2023, the Arab America Foundation announced the winners for its “30 Under 30” initiative which recognizes, “Arab American professionals in all fields who have made great achievements both in the workplace and in their communities.
This year’s winners, much like their “20 Under 20” counterparts, also hailed from over 10 states, and some were originally from countries in the Arab World as well. In addition, the diverse group of winners included Ph.D. students and researchers, musicians, and those working on projects as wide as climate equity, medical access, medicine, science, and public service.
Summer 2023:
The Arab America Foundation’s Co-Founders, Warren, and Dr. Amal David, made numerous trips throughout the United States to visit their state teams and volunteers through diverse activities including lunches, dinners, fundraising events, and even some picnics to promote the anticipated AAF Summit and other initiatives.
August 2023: Arab America Foundation Announces its Winners for their “40 Under 40” Initiative:
In August 2023, the Arab America Foundation announced the awardees for its “40 Under 40” initiative. “The program highlights young professionals who are Arab American and those that have made significant achievements in both the workplace and their communities.”
This year’s awardees included lawyers, medical professionals, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and many other professions which shows the diversity of representation where Arab Americans are found in all fields.
November 3-4, 2023: Fourth Annual Connect Arab America: Empowerment Summit:
Arab America Foundation began its planning for the fourth annual Connect Arab America: Empowerment Summit to be hosted in Orlando, Florida, all the way back in March 2023. In October, its plans were coming to great fruition as an excellent lineup of speakers and performers were announced including, Miss Arab USA, Farah Abu Adeela, Dr. Leslie Jamilah Cloud, Dr. Manal Fakhoury, Nawal Hamadeh, Omar Kurdi, Nibal Malshi, Dr. Eman Tadros, Dr. Shatha Atiya, Dr. Issa Batarseh, and many others.
Unfortunately, in late October, we were notified by the hotel that the Summit will be canceled allegedly due to threatening phone calls the venue was receiving; however, the Arab America Foundation believes this was an act of anti-Arab discrimination, especially amidst the heightened tensions and hatred towards Arab Americans in the wake of the war on Gaza.
The Arab America Foundation has announced that the Summit will probably be rescheduled to occur during April to be put together with celebrations for National Arab American Heritage Month.
November 2023: “Reconnecting and Healing,” and “Healing Together” Initiatives:
In November and December, the Arab America Foundation hosted three new initiatives that arose out of a need to heal together on two fronts – first, because of the cancellation of the Summit, and second to grieve the killing and injuring of thousands of Palestinians because of the ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
The above events were called, Reconnecting and Healing, Healing Together, and Connecting and Healing. The first event featured prominent Arab American leaders from respected institutions such as the Arab American Institute, Arab Center DC, a licensed Clinical Psychologist, UNRWA USA, an Arab vocalist, and the Chairman of the Arab America Foundation. The event was hosted on Zoom on November 15, 2023, to “unite, [gather] information, companionship, and support.”
“Healing Together” was “create a space for healing and mutual support as [Arab Americans] are navigating these demanding times.” The event invited experts in Arab media, Congress, and the arts.
Connecting and Healing event was conducted on December 4th. It featured speakers who addressed such issues as civil rights, the media, wellness, and the arts.
The “Save the Date” event was issued for January 15, 2024, the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The speakers will make remarks about “What the Message of Dr. MLK Jr. means to us During the Gaza Genocide.”
Conclusion:
2023 was both a very exciting and trying year for both the Arab America Foundation and the greater Arab American community. Still, there were glimmers of hope that Arab Americans made tremendous strides in the United States, as represented by the hundreds of proclamations issued during April, the numerous awardees of AAF’s Rising Leader initiatives, the superb work of our volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who has ever believed in the mission of the Arab America Foundation.
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