The Jack G. & Bernice M. Shaheen Endowed Media Scholarship, housed at the Center for Arab American Philanthropy and in partnership with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), supports juniors, seniors, and graduate students studying Journalism, Television, Radio, and/or Film, and who are committed to amplifying the voice and representation of Arab Americans through media.
Late Dr. Jack G. Shaheen led a long legacy and distinguished career as a tireless advocate, an inspiring educator, and a compassionate philanthropist. Dr. Shaheen was a leading voice in combating anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bigotry in the media, as well as through major influence in the world of academia. To honor his legacy and to continue breaking through negative stereotypes, the Jack G. & Bernice M. Shaheen Endowed Media Scholarship provides a door of opportunity to bright Arab American students and magnifies the presence of Arab professionals in diverse media systems.
Congratulations to the 2022 talented and driven recipients, Noro Aldayeh and Mia Hanna! Read their bios to learn more about the recipients.
Noor Aldayeh is a visual artist from Torrance, California. She is a Film and Media student at Emory University minoring in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality studies, and acts as a student photographer for the Communications Office of the university. Being a queer daughter of two Middle Eastern immigrants, a lot of Aldayeh’s work revolves around commentary on Orientalism, more specifically the orientalist gaze as it pertains to women and gender non-conforming individuals in the MENA region. She is heavily concerned with the representation of MENA and its individuals especially as it pertains to Western media. An avid concert goer and fan, if Aldayeh is not at a show, you can probably find her out and about photographing in the city she is in or adding an excessive amount of songs to her Spotify library.
Mia Hanna is a filmmaker based in Detroit and studying at Wayne State University. Being Lebanese, she was born and raised in the Middle East and moved to Michigan to study film and follow her dreams. She strives to make films that accurately portray Arab people and aims to regain the narrative. Making a space for people of color in media and film is a top priority for Mia. Stay tuned for what is coming!