Detroit Public Television to Broadcast Special Program About Detroit’s Arab American Community

posted on: Dec 16, 2009

Detroit Public Television (Channel 56) will broadcast, “Arab Detroit,” a new television program exploring the culture and diversity of Detroit’s Arab American community. The program will air on New Year’s weekend, Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 7:30pm.

The program is co-produced by Detroit Public Television, Detroit’s public television station and Arab Detroit.com, a leading provider of digital media about the Arab American community.

The program is the pilot for a potential magazine-style series of 13 (30) minute programs which will explore all aspects of the Arab American community including the history, immigration, religion, institutions, education, business/professionals, culture, traditions and music.

In this first program Dr. Sally Howell, assistant professor of history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Edward Deeb, president of the Michigan Professional and Business Association, and Mike Mosallam, director of the Wayne County Film Initiative are interviewed.

“This program is historical in that it is the first program about Detroit’s Arab American community produced by Detroit Public Television” said Jeff Forster, Vice President, Production and Station Enterprises for Detroit Public Television and an Executive Producer of the program. He went on to say, “It represents a look at a growing community with an untold story of their history, religion, heritage and culture.”

“The program is the first of what could be an expanded series of programs about the diversity and culture of Arab Americans throughout the U.S.” says Warren David, Founder and President of Arab Detroit.com and an Executive Producer of the series, “Every day Americans are bombarded in the media with negative images of Arabs and Arab Americans, this program and eventual series will depict a positive and accurate image of our diverse and colorful community.”

Detroit Public Television (Channel 56) is the PBS affiliate in Detroit. Channel 56’s mission is to provide outstanding programming–educating and preparing children and adults for productive and satisfying futures, and enriching the lives of individuals through history, the arts, science, and health.

Arab Detroit.com is a leading provider of digital media to the Arab American community featuring news, events, commerce, arts and music via the world wide web.

The program is underwritten by ASACA—The American Syrian Arab Cultural Association, promoting the Arab American heritage and culture through education.

For media inquiries and information contact:

Warren David, Arab Detroit, 313-999-6000
Email: warrend@davidcomgroup.com