Dear John,
 

MPAC’s Congressional Leadership Development Program (CLDP) has been one of our flagship programs for over a decade. We’ve placed college students in powerful congressional offices and provided an entry point for young professionals looking to jumpstart their careers in public service. And in 2022, we are still reaching new milestones. It is with great excitement that I am sharing that earlier this week, we were able to take our Fellows to the White House for the first time in CLDP history. 

At the White House, our CLDP Fellows had the opportunity to meet with Reema Dodin, Deputy Assistant to President Biden & Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs. Prior to this role she was the lead staffer for Senator Dick Durbin, the Majority Whip— a role in which she was tasked with creating strategy to advance legislation on the Senate floor. 

"As a Palestinian American, to meet her, the highest ranked Palestinian-American in the Executive Branch, was my first true inspiring moment. I often meet speakers who I feel are incredible, but Reema Dodin connected to me in an entirely different way. I have spent a lot of this summer listening to how speakers bring their identity into the workplace, but as a Palestinian, I know that identity will always be more politicized than my Muslim identity. To see her be Palestinian, be so respected in her work, and be so humble and open with us felt like I was watching glass ceilings break.” 
– Janna Ramadan, 2022 CLDP Fellow

This moment serves as a major milestone for our organization and the Muslim Community at large. We have only grown in our ability to provide a springboard for the Muslim leaders of tomorrow. But we cannot do this work without the support of community members like you.

In Peace,

Salam Al-Marayati
President, MPAC