The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), a program of ACCESS, is proud to announce that its 2015 Spirit of Service Award will be presented to longtime local community activist and leader Ali Baleed Almaklani, one of the Detroit region’s most committed and admired citizens. Almaklani will receive this esteemed award at The Arab American Summit Change Makers Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn, Mich.
Almaklani is a prominent Arab American leader who personifies the meaning and spirit of service and dedication. He has devoted his life to organizing and building the capacity of the Arab American community. He is the executive director and co-founder of the Yemen American Benevolent Association (YABA), an organization that has been in service for over 40 years and provides educational and social services to the Yemeni community.
Almaklani is a founding member of ACCESS — the largest Arab American nonprofit in the United States, which operates more than 100 programs that serve the Detroit area out of 10 locations, and has three national programs, including NNAAC. He served as vice president of the organization in the 1970s and is today an emeritus board member.
During the 1970s, Almaklani was nominated to represent Arab Americans at the United Auto Workers Union convention and was also selected to attend the 2nd General Conference of Yemeni Immigrants in Yemen. Among his many other accomplishments, he helped found the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) and the Yemen American Political Action Committee (YAPAC).
He is also a well-known poet in his local community and is often referred to as “Abu-Dhafer.” He has written hundreds of poems and is planning to publish a book of his work.
For a chance to meet Almaklani and learn more about his accomplishments, click here to purchase tickets to the Change Makers Dinner and The Arab American Summit.
The Arab American Summit, a biennial conference on Arab American issues, is a two-day symposium—Nov. 7 to 8 in Dearborn, Mich.—for leaders, advocates, students, activists and allies to gather from across the country. The Summit will feature forums on issues facing the Arab American community and strategies for overcoming them; workshops on nonprofit management, leadership, activism and advocacy; as well as a customized track for high school students.
Registration is now open! Take advantage of the early bird rates. Click here for more information and for details on the sensational Summit program.
