Arab America Foundation Announces its Speakers for National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration Event-- 2023
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(WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 2023) On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Amazon Headquarters, the Arab America Foundation will host a commemorative event entitled, National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration 2023. The event aims to honor the remarkable contributions made by Arab Americans and will be attended by public officials, community leaders, and other distinguished guests. In addition to celebrating the rich and diverse Arab heritage and culture, attendees will enjoy cultural performances such as music, dance, art, and authentic Arab cuisine.
“Since 2017, this annual national event commemorates National Arab American Heritage Month and celebrates the rich contributions of Arab Americans to our nation’s history, culture, and economy. We also promote the diversity and the importance of inclusive communities in our nation,” said Warren David, President of Arab America and Co-Founder of the Arab America Foundation,
The Arab America Foundation is delighted to announce the following confirmed speakers: U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12); Hady Amr, Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Brenda Abdelall, Assistant Secretary of Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Heather Raffo, Iraqi American Playwright, and Actress; and Usama Baalbaki, Arab Vocalist and (Chairman), National Arab Orchestra. Additionally, guests will also be entertained by the Faris El-Layl Folkloric Dance Troupe.
During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.
Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, with just a handful of states recognizing the initiative. Each year, our grass-roots network of over 250 Arab American volunteers in 28 states gathers hundreds of proclamations from their states, counties, municipalities, and local school districts.
This year there are several states where Arab Americans are seeking permanent legislation designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month. The following states have passed permanent legislation designating the month of April as NAAHM: Illinois; Oregon; Virginia; and Indiana (Senate). Currently, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Indiana are pursuing legislation.
The President of the United States recognized the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month with a special commemorative letter to our organization. In 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative. Additionally, the following states have passed permanent legislation designating the month of April as NAAHM: Illinois; Oregon; Virginia; and Indiana (Senate).
Last week, President Biden issued a historic proclamation designating April 2023 as National Arab American Heritage Month:
Also, the U.S. State Department issued a statement:
U.S. State Department Issues Statement Proclaiming National Arab American Heritage Month 2023
See proclamations received to date from governors, municipalities, and counties:
Proclamations Issued for National Arab American Heritage Month in April 2023 (Updated Daily)
Meet the Speakers for April 26 Event (more to be announced soon):
Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Congresswoman (MI-12)
Rashida Tlaib is a well-known progressive warrior and, in her own words, “a mother working for justice for all.” Her two young sons are at the root of her unwavering passion to help change lives for the better. She is the oldest of 14 children, born and raised in Detroit, the proud daughter of Palestinian immigrant parents. She is currently the Congresswoman for Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, which includes the city of Dearborn and many surrounding communities.
Hady Amr, Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Hady Amr currently serves as the Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs within the Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Prior to this position, Special Representative Amr served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs from January 2021 to November 2022, and previously served at the State Department from 2013-2017 on Secretary of State John Kerry’s team working on Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. From 2010-2013, he served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) where he helped coordinate numerous assistance programs across the region during the Arab uprisings. He also previously held positions at the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. During his career, he worked for or advised various international organizations including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. Immediately prior to January 2021, he was a scholar with both the Brookings Institution and the Center for a New American Security where he focused on U.S. foreign policy across the Middle East and on human development in the region. He earned a Master’s degree in economics and international affairs from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Tufts University.
Brenda Abdelall, Assistant Secretary of Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Brenda F. Abdelall was appointed to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Partnership and Engagement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on August 1, 2022. In this role, she serves as the Secretary’s primary advisor on external engagements and the impact of the Department’s policies, regulations, processes, and actions on state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) officials, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the academic community. She also serves as the Co-Chair for the Department’s Council to Combat Gender-based Violence. She is a widely respected and recognized public policy expert, focusing on civil rights and national security. Ms. Abdelall joined DHS on January 21, 2021, in the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties as Chief of Staff before joining the Office of Partnership and Engagement in March 2022. Ms. Abdelall also taught at New York University – Abu Dhabi, the University of Michigan Law School, and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. Her courses focused on civil rights, with a focus on the first amendment. Ms. Abdelall started her career practicing law at Sidley LLP, where she was a member of the healthcare regulatory and public policy group. She graduated with both a BA and a JD from the University of Michigan. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and twin sons.
Heather Raffo, Award-Winning Iraqi American Playwright, and Actress
Heather Raffo is the solo performer and writer of the Off-Broadway hit, 9 Parts of Desire which details the lives of nine Iraqi women. For her creation and performance of 9 Parts and its national and international tour, Heather garnered many awards including a Lucille Lortel Award, and the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn and Marian Seldes- Garson Kanin playwriting awards, as well as Helen Hayes, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League nominations, for outstanding performance. Heather first performed 9 Parts of Desire in August 2003 at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.
It later moved to the Bush Theatre in London’s Off-West End where critics hailed it as one of the five best plays in London in late 2003. Its Off-Broadway premiere was at the Manhattan Ensemble Theatre, where the show ran for nine months and was a critic’s pick (of the New York Times, Time Out, and Village Voice) for over twenty-four weeks in a row. In 2009, Heather created a concert version of the play for The Kennedy Center with renowned Iraqi maqam musician, Amir ElSaffar. Raffo received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and her Master of Fine Arts in acting performance from the University of San Diego. She also studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London. Originally from Michigan, Heather currently lives in New York. Her father is from Iraq and her mother is American.
Usama Baalbaki, Arab Vocalist and Chairman, National Arab Orchestra
Usama Baalbaki, a Lebanese American, was born in Kuwait. He began studying music at the age of eight learning to play the ‘oud and accordion, eventually playing and singing at the age of twelve on “Mamma Anisa,” a Kuwaiti children’s television program. Moving to the USA in 1987, Usama established himself as an active performer whose musical ability has led him to travel across the nation; sharing the stage with many great artists from the Middle East and the United States, including artists such as Tony Bennet. As a result of his singing and community involvement: Usama played the role of Egyptian composer and singer, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, in the play Rasasa fi al Qalb written by Tawfik Hakim. In 1999 Usama received the AMAL award from ANA/MBC Radio and TV in Washington D.C. for the best Arab American vocalist. In 2000, he composed music for the Meadow Brook Theater’s production of Arabian Nights, written by Karim Alrawi. In 2005, Usama participated in Opera America’s Opera Conference 2005: Diverse Voices. Usama is a co-founder of the National Arab Orchestra and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Meet the Entertainment:
Faris El-Layl Folkloric Dance Troupe
Faris El-Layl group is most known for its traditional Arab line dance that is situated in many Arab countries. It’s typically performed at weddings and other festive occasions. Faris El-Layl group has been performing across the United States but it’s well renowned in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. The group brings a taste of Arab folklore and time-honored culture with each and every stomp in their performance. The mission of Faris El-Layl is to inform its audience that the Arab World is more than just twenty-two Arab countries in the Middle East, but also it is a culturally vibrant and art-enriched society that is proud of being united by its heritage that includes: history, language, food, and of course, music and dance.
National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration Program:
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For sponsorship information contact Warren David at 313-999-6000
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About the Arab America Foundation
The Arab America Foundation (www.arabamericafoundation.org) is a non-profit educational and cultural organization that promotes the Arab heritage in the U.S., educates Americans about the Arab heritage and identity, and connects and empowers Arab Americans
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