Dear John,

Our 30th annual MPAC Media Awards honors voices of courage and conscience who fearlessly speak up to influence and broaden the minds of millions.

This year, we’re thrilled to recognize Peabody Award winning journalist Amna Nawaz and actor/activist on NBC’s The Blacklist, Hisham Tawfiq. Although their career tracks may differ, one common thread between Amna and Hisham is their relentless dedication to giving a voice to the unheard.

These two honorees have stepped up and amplified the voices of those underrepresented in mainstream media. We’re proud to recognize Amna and Hisham for using their platforms to elevate the portrayals of Muslims and represent our communities in spaces where they are often silenced.

As Chief Correspondent for PBS NewsHour, Amna Nawaz is a role model for many, particularly young Muslim women. As the first Asian American and Muslim to moderate a United States presidential debate, Amna is a pioneer in elevating the voices of America’s fastest-growing population. Her passion lies in telling stories about the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, immigrants, and refugees.

Amna’s brush with journalism was initially planned to be short. However, her journalism career aspirations were solidified on September 11th, 2001, when the world watched the horrific terror attacks on live television. On that day, she was tasked with sitting in front of a bay of TV screens to take notes of the horrible events as they unfolded. It was then that it all “clicked” for her, and she felt that a career that would allow her to bring honest news and stories to the world would be “public service.”

Ahead of his thriving television career, Hisham Tawfiq was a former platoon leader in the Marine Corps and served 20 years as a NYC firefighter, including working as a first responder on 9/11. Today, Hisham plays the role of African Muslim bodyguard, Dembe Zuma, on the Emmy Award winning show, The Blacklist. As his character has evolved, he has worked with the show’s creators to ensure that Dembe is portrayed accurately and positively on-screen.

In addition to his dedication to public service and passion for acting, Hisham is a proud Muslim who has selflessly used his platform to shatter negative perceptions of Muslims and advocate on behalf of the community. Hisham’s late father had a major impact on his life and inspired the pride he has in his faith.

Join us on Sunday, June 26 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET to hear from these inspiring changemakers. RSVP here. This event is free and will be streamed live. Also, learn about our other 2022 Media Awards honorees here.

In Peace,

Sue Obeidi 
Director, MPAC Hollywood Bureau

P.S. Thank you for your support in increasing Muslim representation in Hollywood and the policy arena. Continue to support our work through your generous donations here.