Arab America Foundation Announces its Speakers for National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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(WASHINGTON, D.C., April 13, 2022) The Arab America Foundation is excited to announce its speakers for the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration Event on April 27, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Join us for an amazing event full of engaging speakers, authentic Arab food served as an Iftar dinner, and an amazing dance troupe.
“During National Arab American Month we celebrate the many accomplish Arab Americans have made to America for well over a century,” said Warren David, President of Arab America and Co-Founder of the Arab America Foundation. “At this event, we are proud to host Arab American leaders, public officials, and artists who will pay tribute to the heritage and culture of the Arab American community”
The Arab America Foundation is ecstatic to announce that Sr. Advisor to President Joe Biden, Cedric Richmond, U.S. Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), and Virginia State Delegate, Sam Rasoul, will give brief remarks in support of and to celebrate Arab American contributions to the United States. Additionally, we will hear a special poem celebrating the Arab American identity from Alexandria Poet Laureate, Zeina Azzam, and dance along to the thrilling beats of the Faris El-Layal Folkloric Dance Troupe–celebrating the vibrant and beautiful Arab American culture.
Meet the Speakers (more to be announced soon):
Sr. Advisor to President Joe Biden, Cedric Richmond:
Cedric Richmond serves as a Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Richmond served as the National Co-Chairman of the Biden-Harris Campaign and a Co-Chair of the Biden-Harris Transition Team. Since 2011, Richmond has represented Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. During his time in Congress, Richmond served on the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Committee on Homeland Security, and the House Committee on the Judiciary. He was the House Democratic Assistant to the Majority Whip, a member of the New Democratic Coalition, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and, most recently, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Richmond was a leader in helping to enact landmark criminal justice reform and ensuring that the people of Louisiana’s 2nd District were prepared for emergencies and natural disasters through his oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the House Committee on Homeland Security. Born and raised in New Orleans, Richmond is a graduate of Morehouse College and Tulane University School of Law, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)
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 13th Congressional District, which includes the city of Detroit and many surrounding communities.
Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-8)
Congressman Jamie Raskin proudly represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes Montgomery, Carroll, and Frederick Counties. Congressman Raskin was sworn into his third Term at the start of the 117th Congress on January 3, 2021. This is Rep. Raskin’s third term serving on the House Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and the Committee on House Administration. This is his second term serving on the Rules Committee and the Coronavirus Select Subcommittee.
Virginia State Delegate Sam Rasoul (VA-11)
Sam Rasoul is an American politician serving as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 11th District since 2014. He is one of the two Muslim members of the Virginia General Assembly. Rasoul was born in Warren, Ohio, in 1981, the proud son of Palestinian immigrants. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Roanoke College and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Hawaii Pacific University.
Zeina Azzam, Alexandria Poet Laureate
Zeina Azzam is a Palestinian American poet, writer, editor, and community activist. She is currently the Poet Laureate of the City of Alexandria, Virginia. Her poems appear in over forty literary journals and anthologies, and her chapbook, Bayna Bayna, In-Between, was published in 2021 by The Poetry Box. She holds an M.A. in Arabic literature from Georgetown University and an M.A. in sociology from George Mason University.
Meet the Entertainment:
Nano Raies
Nano Raies is a singer-songwriter and actress originally from Homs, Syria. She fled the war in Syria and came to the US to pursue her passion in music, becoming the first Syrian woman to attend and graduate from Berklee College of Music. Nano sings in multiple languages including Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese, and her music style is a fusion of pop, Middle Eastern Arabic, western classical, gypsy jazz, Latin, and Brazilian.
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’s 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:
To Register for the Event, Click Here
For sponsorship information contact Warren David at 313-999-6000
To Register for a Sponsorship, Click Here
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
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES
Media Contact:
Claire Boyle
cboyle@arabamerica.com
877-272-2944
Compiled by Arab America
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