I hope you and your family had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. As promised, I am reaching out on this global day of generosity called #GivingTuesday to ask for your support.  

And, as we all face the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am reminded that Arab Americans have much to be grateful for.   

For me, that includes our community’s: 

• belief in public and community service. (Just think about the amazing work of Arab Americans like Najeeb Halaby, Christa McAuliffe, Nagi Dafuillah, Helen Abbott, and Danny Thomas to name a very, very few); 

• appreciation of education, hard work, and family;   

• pride in heritage; and 

• commitment to justice and pursuit of the American ideal, not just for Arab Americans but for everyone. 

Rooted in these values, the Arab American Institute is meeting the challenges ahead. But meeting those challenges requires many steps and we need your continued support to start the next decade right. Headed into 2021 AAI is already:  

• building a resume bank for Arab Americans interested in public service; 

• working to protect the integrity, availability, and privacy of Census data; 

• drafting guidance on redistricting and the Arab American community; and

• fighting for better hate crime data collection and education. 

As I mentioned in my last email, these are the BIG THINGS I am thinking about. These tasks carry so much meaning for me because I can see how they lead to a better future for our children and everyone’s children. I hope you see it too and are inspired to give whatever you can. 

On this Giving Tuesday, know that I give thanks for all you do to empower Arab Americans, and make our country a better place! 

Thank you for your generosity, 

Maya 

Maya Berry, Executive Director 

Arab American Institute Foundation
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
United States