Today, I had the pleasure of serving on a panel that explored race and diversity in metropolitan Detroit. The panel was organized by the Detroit Orientation Institute (DOI) for Wayne State University’s Alternative Spring Break Detroit (ASBD). I’ve served on similar panels in the past for the DOI, but this one was unique in that [...]
I love finishing the work week on a positive note. Yesterday, in addition to hosting students from the University of Michigan’s graduate program in Museum Studies, the AANM received a pair of prominent visitors. First, a dear friend of the AANM brought Bothaina Kamel – Egyptian television anchor, activist, and politician – to the museum [...]
Last Sunday, three colleagues and I participated in the Fight for Air Climb Detroit. Despite injuries and minimal training, we all managed to climb the 70 floors (1000+ steps) without too much strain. My finishing time was 18:10. It was a great event and we managed to raise $435 to support the American Lung Association. [...]
I just finished a four-day trip to Beirut, Lebanon for work. It was such an intense experience. My family immigrated from Lebanon about 100 years ago and this was my first time visiting the “homeland.” So, you can imagine my excitement leading up to the trip. This excitement grew tenfold during the plane’s descent into [...]
I’m trying out Google Earth as a travel planning and documentation tool. I’ll be spending close to two weeks in Amman, Jordan and Beirut, Lebanon for work. So far, the maps I’ve created have already help to orient me in these two cities. This is my first time to both countries and I’ve been warned [...]
On March 4, some colleagues and I will participate in the 2012 Fight for Air Climb in Detroit. The event will take place at the Renaissance Center, which I was surprised to learn is the tallest building in Michigan. The timed climb will cover 70 flights of stairs for a total of 1,035 steps! Sounds [...]
This past week I had the opportunity to participate in a two-day meeting at the Smithsonian to discuss and examine a new project called the Americans All: The Immigration/Migration Initiative. This is a new Smithsonian-wide project that brings together museums and research centers to document and interpret the history and culture of immigration and migration [...]
The AANM’s Little Syria project is picking up steam. We’re wrapping up the RFP process with exhibit designers, our curatorial staff is conducting research and collecting objects for the forthcoming exhibit, and the media is covering the story. We’re off to a good start. Be sure to like the Little Syria Exhibit
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come check out the annual Arab Film Festival at the Arab American National Museum. This year’s festival, Before The Spring: Alternative Arab Cinema from 2005 to Today, explores films that were produced leading up to the “Arab Spring.” The festival was curated by our friends at ArteEast. [...]
I think it’s impossible to forget one’s first professional job. After all, it is during this time that one learns many valuable lessons on the workplace. One of my first professional experiences was a short-lived “career” as a photojournalist. In addition to freelance work at some of Michigan’s larger daily publications, I completed internships at [...]