Connect Empowerment Summit Schedule
Tentative Program to Date:
FRIDAY Morning
10:30-12:00 pm
Team Leaders and Activists Meeting
FRIDAY Afternoon and Evening, November 6:
12-6:00 pm
Registration and Information
Exhibits Open
Who Will Tell Our Story?
For more than 150 years, Arab Americans have helped build this country. Yet too often, others have told our story. This Summit is about taking ownership of our narrative—not through politics or division, but through leadership, education, culture, public service, storytelling, and community.
Panel 1 (1:30–2:30 pm)
Every Arab American Is an Educator: Changing Hearts, Changing Minds, One Conversation at a Time
Whether in the workplace, classroom, neighborhood, or online, every Arab American has an opportunity—and a responsibility—to shape how others understand our community. This conversation explores how everyday interactions can challenge stereotypes, celebrate our heritage, and inspire the next generation to proudly embrace their identity.
Panel 2 (2:30–3:30 pm)
Brewing a Movement: How Arab Entrepreneurs Are Changing America’s Taste and Culture Arab food and coffee are becoming powerful vehicles for entrepreneurship, cultural visibility, and community building. This panel brings together leaders from cafés, bakeries, sweets, packaged foods, beverages, and hospitality to explore how Arab entrepreneurs are introducing new flavors to mainstream America while preserving authenticity.
Breakout Session:
(3:30 pm-4:30 pm
40/30/20 Awardees
6:00 pm
Ahlan Networking Reception and Dinner
Attend the opening reception of the CONNECT Arab America: Empowerment Summit. Meet new friends and indulge in a tempting buffet of Arab cuisine.
8:00 pm
Fann Wa Tarab Cultural Evening
Don’t miss a tantalizing evening celebrating the arts and making you proud of Arab heritage and culture.
Fann Wa Tarab Presents: Tarab Across Generations: The Songs That Raised Us
From Umm Kulthum and Fairuz to Abdel Halim Hafez and Sabah Fakhri, this special evening celebrates the timeless music that filled the homes of our parents and grandparents, accompanied family gatherings, and traveled with immigrants as they built new lives in America. These beloved songs carry memories of love, longing, homeland, joy, and resilience.
Tarab Across Generations brings these classics to life while celebrating their enduring power to connect generations and inspire younger audiences.
The Arab America Ensemble, led by Maestro Firas Zreik
Featuring Vocalists Mona Miari and Kareem Yousef
SATURDAY Daytime, November 7:
8-3:00 pm
Registration and Information
Exhibits Open
8:00 am
Man’oushe, Foul, and Qahwa Networking Breakfast
Meet and get acquainted with summit attendees at this buffet breakfast and networking event before the summit.
9:00 am
CONNECT Arab America: Empowerment Summit
Connecting and empowering Arab Americans nationwide with presentations by public service officials, community leaders, influential women, rising leaders, and awesome performers.
Panel 3 (9:30-10:30 am)
Leading from the Front: Arab Americans in Public Service, Government & Civic Life
As Arab American political engagement continues to evolve, new questions are emerging: How do communities translate activism into lasting influence? What role do public servants, organizers, advocates, and civic institutions play in building community power? How can Arab Americans strengthen representation and ensure that their voices are heard in the public decisions that affect their communities?
Panel 4 (10:30-11:30 am)
Women Leading the Way: The Voices Transforming Our Community
What can we learn from the women shaping our future? Arab American women continue to redefine leadership across business, education, healthcare, public service, philanthropy, and the arts. This inspiring conversation explores resilience, mentorship, breaking barriers, and empowering the next generation.
12:00 Noon
Recognition of Rising Leaders
20 Under 20, 30 Under 30, and 40 Under 40 Awardees
12:30 Noon
Sahtein Networking Lunch
Meet Arab American attendees from throughout the U.S.
1:30 pm
CONNECT Arab America Empowerment Summit
Connecting and empowering Arab Americans nationwide with presentations by public service officials, community leaders, influential women, rising leaders, and awesome performers.
Panel 5 (1:30 pm-2:30 pm)
From Silence to Strength: Mental Health in the Arab American Community
Mental health is increasingly part of the conversation in Arab American homes, workplaces, schools, and communities—but stigma, cultural expectations, and access to care remain significant challenges. This panel explores how we can move from silence to openness, strengthen emotional well-being across generations, support young people and families, and create a culture where seeking help is understood as a sign of strength rather than weakness.
Panel 6 (2:30 pm-3:30 pm)
From Visibility to Influence: Taking the Arab American Narrative to the Next Level
Recent events in the Arab world—especially the war in Gaza—have brought Arab American voices, perspectives, and experiences into the national conversation with new urgency. Political candidates, elected officials, journalists, advocates, and community leaders are increasingly shaping public discourse rather than simply reacting to it. This closing conversation will examine the progress being made across politics, policy, media, and civic life—and explore how Arab Americans can sustain this momentum, strengthen their collective voice, broaden public understanding, and take the emerging narrative to the next level.
3:30 pm Daytime Activities End
Breakout:
(3:30 pm-4:30 pm)
Our Future: Building Tomorrow’s Arab American Leaders
Big Question: How do we prepare the next generation to lead?
Leadership doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated through mentorship, opportunity, and service. Hear from emerging leaders and accomplished mentors about developing confident, engaged, and visionary Arab Americans who will shape our future in business, public service, education, and community leadership.
3:45 pm-4:30 pm
Yalla Let’s Baladi
Zizi Zabaneh, Acclaimed Middle Eastern Dance Instructor
SATURDAY Evening, November 7:
5:30 pm
Reception
6:30 pm
Al Rabitah Gala
The event of the year! Commemorate your heritage at this formal event featuring Arab cuisine, special recognition, and live Arab music.
Featuring from Dallas, vocalist Tarek Haddad and from Michigan, Maestro Abe Diab
11:00 pm
Evening Activities End
Sunday, Daytime, November 8 (Optional):
9 am -11:00 am
Farewell Networking Reception
11:00 am-4:30 pm
Washington, DC Landmark Tour and Lunch