Despite centuries of barriers and setbacks, women in all fields – particularly women of color – have tenaciously worked their way to the frontlines of some of our nation’s most notable and defining social movements, leading us closer to a more equitable and inclusive world. In this panel, you will hear motivational stories of relentless action, perseverance, and inspiring achievements, all from the strong Arab American women who have trailblazed their way through their respective industries and are shattering both stereotypes and glass ceilings.
Assia Boundani is an Algerian-American filmmaker and journalist. She has reported for PRI, BBC, AlJazeera, VICE and CNN among others. Her debut short film about hijabi hair salons for HBO Documentary Films premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Her award-winning directorial debut, THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED a documentary investigating a decade of FBI surveillance in Assia’s Muslim-American community, had its world premiere at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.
Assia was named one of Filmmaker Magazine‘s 2018 “25 New Faces of Independent Film,” is currently a New America National Fellow and a fellow with the Co-Creation Studio at the MIT Open Documentary Lab, where she is iterating the AI fueled sequel to her film: the Inverse Surveillance Project. She has an M.A. in journalism from New York University and is an Algiers born, Arabic speaking, Chicago-native, currently based in southern California.
Isra Ibrahim is a Muslim Sudanese activist-organizer based in South Florida. She is the founder of “Solidarity Actions for Detained Somalis”, an awareness campaign that organized protests and assisted with the legal team of detained Somali, migrant Muslims in 2017-18. Ibrahim is the media analyst and an associate editor for the Milestones publication. She has facilitated presentations on Islamophobia for the Florida International University (FIU) Medical School and University of Miami Law School covering public health access and anti-Muslim policies. She also works as an advisor for the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at FIU. Ibrahim is a recipient of the 2018-19 Young People For (YP4) National Fellowship and FIU’s 2019 MLK peace award. Currently, her interest and organizing is grounded in Pan-Africanist and anti-colonial Islamist politics.
Dr. Manal Fakhoury is the President and CEO of Fakhoury Leadership International. With over 30 years of non-profit and leadership experience, she serves on many community and national boards. She is past Chairwoman of Chamber of Commerce and has served in many top leadership positions. Currently: YMCA Executive Board, AHA , Rotary Member, Islamic Network Group (ING) Trustee, Arab American Community Center (AACC) board, IFPB Board, Suntrust Bank board of directors, Toastmasters International, Founder and President of Ollin Women International, curator for TEDxOcala and Gavel Club Counselor for the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC). Graduate of Leadership Florida. Manal has brought innovative personal development programs to the FDOC.[expand title=”Read More“]
Manal is also a consultant pharmacist, inspirational speaker, coach, trainer, TEDx speaker, and mentor. Manal earned her undergraduate, and doctorate from the University of Southern California, and MBA from Webster University.
Manal has been recognized with many professional and community awards including Person of the Year, Business Women of the Year, Communicator or the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Webster’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and many others. Manal was honored to participate in the Climb of Hope and summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in January 2014.
She is a strong advocate of personal development and social justice. Manal brings a very strong background in community service, leadership and fundraising. She enjoys traveling, exercising, advocating for peace, and lifting up people. She is most proud of her husband, Dr. Riadh Fakhoury, a chiropractic physician, and their five wonderful children.[/expand]
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. Rashida made history in 2008 by becoming the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan Legislature. She is beloved by residents for the transformative constituent services she provided, and for successfully fighting the billionaires and corporations that tried to pollute her district. When families get to know Rashida, they have no doubt that she will work tirelessly to knock down barriers for change, either by policy or action, she will roll up her sleeves to make sure her residents are cared for, no matter how big the challenge.[expand title=”Read More“]
When billionaire slumlord Matty Moroun refused to follow the law and get polluting semi-trucks off neighborhood streets, Rashida organized residents with the We Have A Right To Breathe campaign and forced Moroun to fulfill his obligations to protecting public health. When large piles of black dust started showing up on the Detroit riverfront and blowing into homes and parks, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality told residents everything was fine, Rashida collected samples and got the substance tested herself – exposing the cancer-causing “petroleum coke” as a threat, and getting it removed.
As an attorney at the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, Rashida took the movement to the courts, fighting racist emergency managers, abusive state agencies, and leading the fight for community benefits agreements that promote equitable development. Rashida knows that effective advocacy requires an all-out approach, fighting in the community, in the legislature, and in the courts every day against injustice and inequality, so that every single person in this country has a chance to thrive. 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, where she serves on the Financial Services and Government and Oversight Committees.[/expand]
Rana Abbas Taylor (Moderator) is the Director of Communications and Marketing at ACCESS. She joined ACCESS in 2013 and has 20 years of community service and communications experience, with a special focus on social justice and women’s rights. In her capacity, she oversees all internal and external communications for ACCESS and is the agency’s official spokesperson. Prior to her work with ACCESS, she served as the Director of Corporate Communications for a government contractor in Washington, DC. She was also the Deputy Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s (ADC) Michigan Office, from 2000-2008. She is a Graduate of “High Distinction” from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a graduate of the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Session tags: art, activism, philanthropy, capacity building, research, empowering women, civic engagement, immigrant and refugee support, identity, narrative and storytelling
Location: Presidential Ballroom