Thousands View “Arab Detroit” Television Special on Detroit Public Television WTVS Channel 56
On Sunday evening, January 3rd, members of the Arab American and greater Detroit community watched the “Arab Detroit” television premiere on Channel 56 (WTVS) Detroit Public Television.
The program, was co-produced, by Detroit Public Television and Arab Detroit.com, with financial support from the American Syrian Arab Cultural Association (ASACA). The “Arab Detroit” program is a pilot for a potential magazine-style series of 13 (30) minute programs which will explore all aspects of the Arab American community including the history, immigration, religion, institutions, education, business/professionals, culture, traditions and music.
In Sunday’s program, Dr. Sally Howell, assistant professor of history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, spoke about the early Syrian and Lebanese community which settled over one hundred years ago on the Detroit’s east side and in Highland Park. Many of Arab Detroit’s institutions were highlighted in a segment which featured Edward Deeb, president of the Michigan Professional and Business Association. Finally, the arts, culture and music of the Arab American community was explored in an interview with Mike Mosallam, director of the Wayne County Film Initiative. The program was hosted by Reema Samman and reported by Siham Awada Jaafar, Will Youmans, and Ameera David. The program was written by Susan Giffin. Executive Producers were Jeff Forster, Vice President of Production and Station Enterprises for Detroit Public Television and Warren David, founder and publisher of Arab Detroit.com.
Warren David, producer/director of the program said, “It is the first of what could be an entire series. We are confident that the necessary funds will be raised this year which will allow us to produce a thirteen week series.” He went on to say, “This series will be aired locally and disseminated nationally to many of the public television affiliates across the U.S.” David and Detroit Public Television are hoping to produce the series in the late spring and summer of this year.
Due to popular demand, Detroit Public Television announced that they will re-run “Arab Detroit” at a soon to be announced date. The program will also be available for on-demand viewing on the Detroit Public Television website (www.dptv.org) next week.
Arab Detroit