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EHRAC: ACTION ITEM - (1) DISCUSS THE STATUS OF THE ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION; AND (2) DETERMINE NEXT STEPS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.
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Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Michelle Hamilton/Human Resources
Phone Number: (310) 253-5647
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/22/2026) ; (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee (04/22/2026); (E-Mail) All City Staff (04/22/2026)
Department Approval Name, Title Date: Dana Anderson, Chief Human Resources Officer (04/22/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee: (1) discuss the status of the Arab American Heritage Month Celebration Ad Hoc Subcommittee; and determine next steps as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
At the April 22, 2025, Regular Meeting, during the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee’s (EHRAC) Public Events and Budget Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report, the Ad Hoc Subcommittee proposed that EHRAC host an Arab Heritage Month Celebration as part of the 2025-2026 Event Schedule with the following background information:
• Premise: Host a special event to acknowledge, educate about and celebrate Arab American Heritage Month.
• Suggested format: Have a presentation that educates about the diversity and contributions of Arab Americans in contexts such as poetry, history, etc., followed by Q&A/discussion; and
• In addition, to create a festive element to the program, provide a variety of food from different parts of the Arab world, and also have a showcase of art and books by Arab Americans.
At the July 22, 2025, Regular Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to approve the 2025-2026 Public Events and Budget Schedule and to add the Arab American Heritage Month Celebration as an “upcoming event” in the July 2025 Biannual Report.
At the August 19, 2025, Special Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to create an Arab American Heritage Month Celebration Ad Hoc Subcommittee and appointed Members Jones, Moammar, Nweke and Valverde thereto.
At the January 27, 2026, Regular Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to receive a report from the Arab American Heritage Month Celebration Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the February 24, 2026, Meeting.
At the February 24, 2026, Special Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to receive a report from the Arab American Heritage Month Celebration Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting.
DISCUSSION
Discuss the status of the American Heritage Month Celebration and determine next steps as deemed appropriate.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
As of the date of this discussion, the following represents the proposed City expenses associated with hosting the event that were discussed at the January 28, 2026, Regular Meeting:
• Dance performance: $300
• Additional costs are being assessed through museum and venue inquiries
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-02-24_ATT1_ Arab American Heritage Month Celebration Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report_02172026
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the Equity and Human relations Advisory Committee:
1. Discuss the Status of the Arab American Heritage Month Celebration; and
2. Determine next steps as deemed appropriate.