My City January 2022

captured and shared through the medium. As I got older, I realized that what I loved most about cinema was the ability to cel- ebrate art, share space and build commu- nity with those around me. is fascina- tion with cinema eventually inspired me to create a student organization that would highlight the power of the arts and the intersection between art and activism. Who is your hero? My mom (Bahia Mourad) is a big hero of mine. She is the reason I am who I am today. Her incredible love and sacri- ce have given me the strength to stretch the boundaries of what is possible in my life. A trailblazer in her own right, she has fought hard in her life and always encour- aged my siblings and me to be compas- sionate, tenacious and resilient. She truly holds our family together. I’m so blessed to have her support to carry me through every challenge and success in my life. What’s one work-related thing you want to accomplish in the next year? A primary goal of the AAHC is to build Arab American political power by making our voices heard through civic engagement and ensuring our commu- nities are represented. Currently, Arab Americans are signicantly undercount- ed in the census and other federal data, which has had dramatic consequences on Arab American representation. As a re- sult, organizations like AAHC struggle to secure funding for resources and services that our community needs. is challenge will continue to impact our work in sig- nicant ways, and that’s why it’s some- thing I’m fully committed to ghting for in my capacity as executive director. ®

“ My passion, creativity and commitment to lifelong learning have better positioned me in my work as an organizer and my future role as executive director. ”

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