April is National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). It celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of Arab Americans to the United States and the rich cultural heritage found in Arab American communities.
The Arab America Foundation launched NAAHM in 2017 as a small initiative that was only recognized by a few localities. In 2021, President Biden became the first U.S. president to publicly acknowledge NAAHM, and Congress, the U.S. Department of State and 45 state governors have since joined in recognizing NAAHM. Many states have also passed legislation to designate April as NAAHM month.
This month holds special significance as it highlights the diverse contributions of Arab Americans to American society. This is an opportunity to understand the struggles experienced by Arab Americans and to develop more effective initiatives that support fairness and inclusion.
Arab American History
Arab Americans have a rich history in the U.S., with immigration from Arab countries dating back to the 1880s.
Nearly 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, according to the Arab American Institute. This community is present in every state in the U.S. However, nearly 75% of Arab Americans reside in just 12 states: California, Michigan, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Minnesota, Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Most Arab Americans are native-born citizens with ancestral ties to countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Iraq.
Despite occupying such a significant presence in the U.S., Arab Americans still face barriers to inclusion. These include misconceptions about Arab heritage and a lack of understanding among policymakers of the population’s size, diversity and interests.
Recognizing Contributions, Addressing Challenges and Advancing Equity
When President Joe Biden declared April 2024 as Arab American Heritage Month, he noted the role that Arab Americans play in both their communities and his administration.
“This legacy of courage, resilience and service lives on today in Arab Americans across our country … every day, I see it in the Arab Americans serving throughout my Administration, who are helping us build a stronger, more just Nation.”
He also acknowledged the challenges faced by Arab Americans, such as prejudice, bigotry and violence. He highlighted the importance of fighting hate and discrimination.
“Across our country, Arab Americans remain the target of bias and discrimination — including harassment, hate crimes, racist rhetoric and violent attacks,” President Biden said. “That is why we are fighting against the rise of all forms of hate, including against Arab Americans.”
In closing his NAAHM proclamation, the President discussed the systemic biases that many underrepresented groups, including Arab Americans, have faced. In reckoning with past discrimination, he said we can begin to chart a course toward equality and inclusion.
“America is the only nation in the world founded on an idea: that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We have never fully lived up to that promise, but we have never walked away from it either. This month, we vow that we never will. Together, we recommit to this promise of America by honoring and advancing the dignity, equity and security of Arab Americans across our nation.”
Support Arab Americans Through Inclusive Workplace Practices
There are several ways companies can support Arab Americans not only during NAAHM but year-round.
Promote diversity and representation. Companies must build a workplace that is inclusive of Arab Americans and reflective of the diversity of our society. Inclusive hiring practices promote diversity in leadership positions, and valuing and respecting diverse perspectives fosters an inclusive workplace culture.
A study from EY (a Fair360 Hall of Fame company) found that a majority of employees value DEI as an essential component of company culture. Ninety-two percent of employees said company culture significantly impacted their intent to stay with an organization. Among Millennials, 76% of respondents said they would leave the company if DEI initiatives were not offered.
To facilitate this desire for an inclusive workplace and support equitable representation for Arab Americans, companies must have diverse hiring panels. Diverse hiring panels have interviewers of different backgrounds and orientations and help mitigate bias during the hiring process. Diverse hiring panels are required at 90% of Fair360 Top 10 companies.
Address discrimination and bias. Companies that take prompt and appropriate action to address discriminatory behaviors or practices ensure that employees feel safe and supported in reporting any incidents.
WATCH: The Impact of Implicit Bias During the Hiring Process
Create employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs offer a supportive community for Arab American employees. Dedicated groups for Arab Americans help to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion within the company.
However, it’s important to remember that Arab Americans are not a monolith. Diversity within this demographic group must also be acknowledged and appreciated.
For example, Arab Americans are religiously diverse. The first wave of Arab American immigrants was mostly Christian, with a few Muslims. Today, the Arab American community includes many different religious backgrounds. These include Christians, Muslims, Druze, Jews, Mandaeans and people without religious beliefs.
These ERGs allow faith-driven employees to find community within their organizations and help Arab Americans connect with one another.
MUST READ: Meeting in a Box: Exploring Interfaith Inclusion as Part of Company Culture
Support community initiatives. Not all support for Arab Americans has to be an internal company initiative. Organizations can also sponsor external community events and offer volunteer opportunities.
