With several hundred guests attending the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan’s (ADC-MI) annual benefit gala on Friday, Dec. 10 at the exquisite Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn, it was easy for many to mistakenly think that the organization is in the middle of a time of abundance.
But according to ADC-MI Regional Director Imad Hamad, the continuation of America’s economic downturn led to more trying times in 2010 for the organization.
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| (From left) ADC-MI Regional Director Imad Hamad, William K. Brehm, and his wife Dee Brehm at the ADC’s annual benefit gala. The Brehm family has given 26 full scholarships to Michigan-Ann Arbor to Fordson graduates. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab/American Elite Studios |
WDIV news anchor Rhonda Walker served as Master of Ceremonies on the evening, during which five awards were given out to people who exemplified ADC-MI’s mission of protecting the civil rights of Arab Americans and all people while combating discrimination and preserving cultural heritage.
Guests sported yellow “Defender of Helen Thomas” stickers on their suit coats and dresses in defense of the comments Thomas made against Zionists at Byblos Banquet Hall a little over a week earlier; Byblos also catered the event as well.
Abbas Alawieh, a student at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, was given the honor of introducing Dearborn Fordson alumnus William K. Brehm, who has given out a total of 26 scholarships to deserving graduates of the high school including Alawieh.
“When I was 12 years old I gave my first speech at one of these events, and I told the crowd to invest in the youth because we are the people who are going to run this country in the future,” he said.
“When you speak about William Brehm you are speaking about a humanitarian, and I don’t think he will ever know truly how much he has done for us.
“Mr. Brehm, I have no doubt that one day we will be the leaders of this country.”
Brehm was awarded the Trailblazer in Health & Education Award for his scholarship contributions and also the creation of the Brehm Center for Diabetes on UM-Ann Arbor’s campus.
Brehm thanked the University of Michigan and Fordson for being “great partners” in the process.
“It is a real privilege as Abbas said to be able to invest in the future,” he added.
The Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) was also honored with the Guardian of Democracy Award.
As Muslims in America, many of them Arab American, continue to face legal challenges that are in many cases based on discrimination, the need for an organization providing legal assistance has grown substantially.
The MLFA is a non-profit organization that has taken on several notable cases in recent years on behalf of American Muslims and their organizations including charities.
MLFA President Khalil Meek is a self-described “white boy” who converted to Islam and said he hadn’t faced discrimination until people began finding out what religion he was.
“Now I know what it’s like to face that,” he said.
He spoke about the ideals of the organization.
“Our goal is to help the community face the kinds of challenges that many other groups have faced here in America; it can be tough but the greatest contribution this country has given is its legal system, I’m proud to be an American with the system of due process we have,” he said.
Dr. Mahir Elder accepted the Community Service Award on the evening as well. Elder is an award-winning teacher from Wayne State University School of Medicine and highly-skilled cardiologist who has helped raise funds for scholarships to Arab American and African American students in metro Detroit.
Albert Mokhiber, Esq. was awarded the Hala Maksoud Leadership Award after the late former ADC president and wife of former Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United States and the United Nations Dr. Clovis Maksoud, who also spoke at the gala.
Mokhiber is a prominent Washington, D.C.-based attorney who has helped the ADC defend civil rights from America to Europe and the Middle East.
Ford Motor Company was also given the Excellence in Global Diversity Award as Pamela Alexander accepted.
Alexander has served on various non-profit boards in metro Detroit including the Special Contribution Fund of the NAACP and the Arab American Chamber of Commerce.
She’s also helped Ford in its outreach efforts with the African American, Arab American and Jewish American communities.
Ford has dedicated over $300 million to educational initiatives, cultural sponsorships and performing arts programs across the nation.
Clovis Maksoud’s speech carried a global theme as well, during which he reiterated the importance of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, which was signed on the same date, Dec. 10, in the year 1948.
Maksoud said that additions should be made to the declaration in light of world economic struggles to include human needs as well as rights to ensure that all people receive the essentials of life.
He also spoke highly of ADC’s work in America.
“ADC is the ABC of Arab America,” he said.
ADC National President Sarah Najjar-Wilson also praised the work of ADC-MI and later spoke in defense of Thomas.
“Her opinion about a political entity was twisted and taken out of context,” she said.
“It is no different than criticizing the practice of interest groups or corporations buying out the government.”
Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly spoke highly of ADC-MI as well.
“I’m glad they’re here in Dearborn, working to promote the best interests of not only Arab Americans but the best interests of everyone who lives in the USA,” he said. “They need our support.”
Hamad talked after the gala about the need for additional support as ADC-MI continues to face trying times.
The organization is still hoping to complete its landmark American Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights in Dearborn near Chase and Ford Roads but is at least $500,000 short.
ADC-MI is still working with just two full-time employees and one part-timer and had to rely on numerous volunteers, including high-schoolers, to help put together the gala.
“We’re not going to give up, our challenges make us more determined to keep moving and that’s what we’re going to do,” Hamad said.
Hamad said ADC is looking at potentially restructuring its operations in 2011 as it moves forward.
“We are thankful for the level of support from those who came despite extreme financial and economic pressure, they really made a point to be a part of this gala along with our generous sponsors,” he added. “Still, it is my hope that the gala served as a reminder to all of our community and supporters and that it is the time where their support is needed the most and ADC still needs them.”
ADC-MI is also expected to host its 12th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Scholarship Ceremony on Feb. 11, 2010. For more information on ADC-MI or to donate, visit www.adcmi.org.
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