Nasser M. Beydoun

DEARBORN — The Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) has elected Nasser M. Beydoun as chairman of its board of directors, replacing founding chair Nabih H. Ayad.

The non-profit civil rights organization said its mission is to “protect and advance” the community’s rights through community engagement, education and advocacy. The ACRL provides legal guidance, promotes policies to protect the community’s civil rights and works to ensure accurate representation of Arab American issues in the media.

Beydoun, an entrepreneur and co-founder of the American Middle East Economic Affairs Committee, was recognized by The Detroit News as a 2006 Michiganian of the Year. The community activist has also served as the executive director of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce from 2000 to 2005 and as the chairman of the chamber’s board in subsequent years. Beydoun helped organize economic forums like the U.S. – Arab Economic Forum.

Currently, he is the vice president for multicultural marketing for the Detroit-based Bassett & Bassett Communication Managers and Counselors. Beydoun is also an active member of organizations that strive to make Detroit safer.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to serve my community through the critically-important work of the ACRL,” Beydoun said.

Founded in 2011, the ACRL sued the FBI, U.S. Department of Justice and the Terrorist Screening Center to secure due process considerations in the enforcement of the “No Fly List.” The following year, the ACRL filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice over mass bank account closures of Arab-American community members.

“We have worked hard to promote and protect the rights of the Arab-American community and I am confident Nasser’s leadership will help us to be even more effective in the struggle for justice and equality,” Ayad said.