A great day for cross-cultural, intergenerational engagement!

In the seat of Montgomery County government in Rockville, Maryland, yesterday, the all-volunteer Middle Eastern American Advisory Group of the Office of Community Partnerships celebrated our diverse heritage and bridge-building with over 100 residents of our majority-minority county. A group of high schoolers helped MEAAG adult members realize a goal to include additional countries in our celebration: Israel, Morocco and Tunisia. Nadia Hassan, founder of the Young Leaders Institute, presented an inspiring keynote address, touching on her southern California, Muslim, and Lebanese roots, and how they guide her in her advocacy of inclusiveness, love over hate and civil advocacy instead of violence. Below are County Executive Isiah Leggett with Ms. Hassan after her address (image courtesy of Young Leaders Institute).