2026 Arab American Heritage Month and SSWANA Heritage Month
UMB Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month and SSWANA Heritage Month
Dear UMB Community,
In April, we celebrate Arab American Heritage Month and South Asian, Southwest Asian, and North African (SSWANA) Heritage Month at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
Arab American Heritage Month was first recognized at the federal level in 2022 by President Joe Biden after an initiative launched by the Arab America Foundation. We join communities across the country in honoring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of the Arab American and SSWANA communities in Baltimore and beyond.
Amid the celebrations, we recognize trailblazers whose work continues to inspire and change lives, highlighting the dynamic role that the Arab American and SSWANA communities play in shaping our future. Each achievement is a testament to their enduring spirit and resilience. This month, we encourage everyone to delve deeper into these narratives and join us in paying homage to the remarkable individuals who have made indelible marks on our society.
We celebrate community members such as Algerian radiologist and medical researcher Elias A. Zerhouni, MD. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Zerhouni as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he served for 6½ years.
We also honor Mona Hanna, MD, MPH, FAAP, a pediatrician, scientist, activist, and author who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and recognized as one of the USA TODAY Network’s Women of the Century for her role in uncovering the water crisis in Flint, Mich., and leading recovery efforts.
In our state, Zainab Chaudry, PharmD, is the Maryland director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. In 2018, she received the Governor’s Service Award for her work in interfaith communities across Maryland, and she regularly comments on social justice and women’s rights issues as well as the American Muslim perspective on national and global affairs.
This month at UMB, we affirm our commitment and support for our Arab American, South Asian, Southwest Asian, and North African colleagues and friends. We are committed to increasing belonging and inclusion at UMB and throughout Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and the world.
Keep an eye on The Elm website and The Elm Weekly newsletter for information on more ways to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month and SSWANA Heritage Month at UMB.
In collaboration,
Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA
Chief Inclusive Excellence and Institutional Effectiveness Officer and Vice President
Professor, School of Graduate Studies