Quick question, John. What is the first thing you think of when I mention Maine?

If you think of beautiful rocky coasts and delicious lobster rolls, you'd be right. But Maine's real highlight is its incredible, thriving New American community and the inspiring immigrant leaders changing the political landscape from Portland to Bangor and everywhere in between.

What's even more impressive is that so many of these immigrant leaders have been inspired and mentored by our second 2023 New American Hero Award winner, Portland City Councilmember Pious Ali!

Pious Ali is one of the founding members of New American Leaders' elected officials network. He was first elected to serve as a school board member in 2013 and has since run to represent all of Portland, Maine on the city council, becoming its longest serving city councilmember, the mayor pro tem, and the first ever African-born Muslim American elected in Maine. In addition to his work on the city council, he serves as a resource and mentor for other immigrant leaders across the state and throughout the Northeast, making sure that he paves the way for the next generation of leaders to follow in his footsteps and build our movement. His tireless leadership and commitment to building New American power embodies what it means to be a New American Hero and is why I am so excited to celebrate him at our New American Hero Awards!

In just over one month, we'll bring the NAL family together for Immigrant Heritage Month to celebrate our movement and leaders like Pious who make our work possible at the New American Hero Awards, a part of the Power & Policy Summit. 

With two days full of celebrating, brainstorming, skills-buildining, and connecting with friends like Pious, this will be the event of the year. Make sure you don't miss it. Save your spot and RSVP today! 

See you then,
Eliot Sasaki
Senior Communications and Social Media Manager
New American Leaders