racial equity

In the summer of 2008, the Arab Resource and Organizing Center initiated the Arab Youth Organizing Project (AYO!) with eleven youth ages 14-22, and the organization has since doubled in size. AYO! recently launched a research project on media representations of Arabs, which includes a community needs assessment survey, and will culminate in a local campaign on Arab youth representation in the media, created and implemented entirely by Arab youth.

As one of the only Arab youth organizing projects in the US, AYO! has already had an enormously positive impact on local and national multi-racial communities. New activities will include: recruiting of new AYO! youth through schools and social networks, research surveys, focus groups, data analysis retreats, report distribution, campaign outreach and partnerships with local organizations, and a 2-week intensive summer camp for further skills development, mentorship & campaign building. Building awareness around the effects of racism on Arab and Muslim communities in the post-9/11 world, this project will bring an Arab voice to youth racial equity and healing movements across the country.