The Arab American Summit, hosted by the National Network for Arab American Communities. Photo credit: Bill Chapman Photography

Nadia Tenova, Director of NNAAC

On November 7th, Not In Our Town joined over 200 leaders from across the country to present at the Arab American Summit, a conference hosted by the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC [1]). The two-day conference, held in Dearborn, MI, featured presentations from Arab and Muslim leaders from who are advocating for safety and inclusion in their communities.

NIOT Community Engagement Manager Cassandra Belson showed clips from some of NIOT’s films, including Waking In Oak Creek [2], while conducting an interactive presentation about innovative community responses to hate and bullying.

NIOT Community Engagement Manager Cassandra Belson with NNAAC Director Nadia Tenova and a Summit attendee. (Photo credit: Bill Chapman photography)

The discussion included topics such as how to address anti-Muslim sentiment and behavior that may lead to violence as well as ways media can be utilized to promote positive images and conversations about Arab and Muslim Americans.

The Summit came eight months after the deadly shooting of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, NC earlier this February and in the midst of ongoing attacks on Muslim neighbors across the country [3]. Not In Our Town highlighted the bravery of fellow students and community members who came out to hold a vigil and honor the victims’ lives in Chapel Hill.

Not In Our Town would like to thank NNAAC Director Nadia Tenova and the rest of conference organizers for being included in the program. For more information about how to bring Not In Our Town to your community, please contact: info@NIOT.org [4].