Seeing the Southend Gallery Reception + Iftar

5:30-9:30 p.m. ET Thursday, March 6, 2025

In-person at AANM – EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
~~$10 Museum Member | $12 Student/Senior | $15 General Public~~

OR catch the livestream at 7:30 p.m. for free! Register here to receive the link.

Join us for a panel and iftar, during the opening of Seeing the Southend: A Photography Exhibition by Tony Maine. Through his lens, Maine captured the daily lives, resilience and activism of Yemeni and Lebanese Americans in Dearborn’s Southend during the 1970s and 1980s. His images serve as both a time capsule and a reflection of the community’s enduring spirit.

The evening will begin with an iftar meal together, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion with leaders and activists who have shaped the Southend’s past and continue to advocate for its future. The panelists are Ali Baleed Almaklani, Eman Ali-Ahmed, Joseph Borrajo and Brigitte (Houwyda) Fawaz-Anouti. The panel will be moderated by writer Rasha Almulaiki.

Here’s what to expect during the event:

5:30 p.m. – Doors Open & Exhibition Viewing
- Guests are encouraged to explore Seeing the South End: Photography of the Arab American Community by Tony Maine.
6:30 p.m. – Community Iftar
- Enjoy a communal iftar (breaking fast) meal.
7:30 p.m. – Panel Discussion
- Engage in conversation with our panelists.
- Livestream will begin at 7:30 p.m.
8:45 p.m. – Gallery Viewing & Sweets/Tea
- Guests are welcome to revisit the exhibition while enjoying sweets and tea.

Meet the Moderator

Rasha Almulaiki is the founder and principal of ADALA PR Agency LLC, a boutique public relations firm based in Detroit. With a background as a movement journalist, her work has been featured in outlets such as The Michigan Chronicle, Metro Times Detroit, and The Arab American News. Rasha is dedicated to elevating narratives that intersect with community politics, race, gender and culture. Her expertise spans strategic storytelling, advocacy communications and media relations, amplifying voices in social justice and grassroots organizing. As a poet and essayist, she explores themes of grief, relational purpose and writing the roads not taken.

Meet the Panelists

Ali Baleed Almaklani is a prominent leader in the Arab American community. He co-founded and served as president of the Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA) and was a founding member of ACCESS, AAPAC, and YAPAC. He has held leadership roles in numerous organizations, including the Arab and Chaldean Festival, ADC, and BRIDGES. A dedicated advocate, he has worked to increase civic engagement and combat discrimination. Ali is also a celebrated poet, known as Abu-Dhafer, with plans to publish his works. Currently, he is the Executive Director of YABA and semi-retired after 36 years at Ford Motor Company.

Brigitte Fawaz-Anouti is a seasoned leader with over four decades of experience in social services and community development. She joined ACCESS in 1980 and became the organization’s first food and shelter coordinator, establishing structured food distribution programs. Promoted to unit supervisor in 1989, she oversaw daily operations across multiple initiatives. Since 2003, as Director of Social Services Main & Special Projects, she has led strategic program development and major organizational events. Brigitte also managed the ACCESS main office construction project. She serves on several advisory boards and is a Leadership Detroit alumna and recipient of the YABA Outstanding Community Services Award.

Eman Ali-Ahmed, Ed.S. has been a passionate educator for over two decades at elementary and secondary levels. She is the principal of Salina Intermediate School in the Southend of Dearborn, Michigan. Mrs. Ali-Ahmed holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Michigan in education and teaching English language learners. She also holds a degree in Educational Leadership from Oakland University. Mrs. Eman Ali-Ahmed proudly serves as a board member for the Dearborn Education Foundation, Reaching Our Children, and Concerned Residents for South Dearborn. Her community work and involvement led to her appointment by Dearborn Mayor Hammoud to be on his transition team in 2022. She is a founding board member and Executive Director of a nonprofit organization called the United Humanitarian Foundation (UHF Relief). This nonprofit helps promote peace, education, sustainability and humanitarian relief aid to children and families around the world. Mrs. Eman Ali-Ahmed is a proud mother and wife who enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Joseph Borrajo was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 3, 1941, to Yemeni and Bosnian immigrant parents. A dedicated community activist, he co-founded the Arab American Voter Registration and Education Committee in 1984, leading efforts to register thousands of Arab American voters across Metro Detroit. He served on the boards of ACCESS, the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee, and the League of Women Voters, where he worked to engage young voters. He has been a vocal advocate for transparency in local government, frequently addressing the Dearborn Board of Education and City Council. His writings on Arab American civic engagement have been widely published, and he has been interviewed by numerous media outlets. A longtime volunteer at the Dearborn Historical Museum, he has helped preserve local history by cataloging archival materials. His work is also featured in Dearborn Best Stories, capturing the rich narratives of the community he has long served.