Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) is not officially recognized as a separate racial or ethnic category by the federal government. As a result, Arab Americans are included under the white category and are, as a result, excluded from minority-targeted programs and dedicated funding. There is no official count of the population, making it difficult for Arab Americans and other MENA communities to be apportioned funding for services and programs from the government. We need to invest in MENA communities NOW.
This year, NNAAC formulated 21 legislative provisions targeting the implementation of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) racial and ethnic identity throughout an assortment of government legislation and programs for the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations package, culminating in a comprehensive 28-page, 10,000-word document encompassing pertinent statutes, accounts, and justifications for each provision. Cumulatively, we executed 708 submissions to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee Members.
Federal