DEARBORN — The Youth Leadership Committee (YLC), a sub-division of the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC), held their 2nd Annual “Reclaiming the Arab American Spirit” dinner at Byblos Banquet Hall last Friday and highlighted a year of community service and outreach.

LAHC members pose during the annual reception.

The Keynote Speaker of the event, 19th District Court Chief Judge Sam Salamey, discussed the importance of youth involvement in the community to the 500 people in attendance. Salamey encouraged the youth to remain active, by seeking a college education, employment and through community service. He recalled his early years as an immigrant and discussed how education and community involvement led him to his success.  

President & CEO of Lyn Lewis Associates, INC, LLC, Dr. Lyn Lewis was also in attendance and gave a motivational address.  She spoke to the youth about the importance of pursuing goals and maintaining a passion and a drive to succeed. 

Lebanese Canadian singer Karl Wolf was the highlight of the event, giving a live performance of a set list of his songs and receiving the “Young Professional Leadership Award in Entertainment and Entrepreneurship.” 

CEO and Founder of HYPE Athletics, Ali Sayed, also received an award from the organization for his leadership and community service. The YLC and HYPE have worked together closely the last two years, forming a student league that includes over 12 organizations and donating money to charities, like Detroit’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

“Ali Sayed’s commitment to engaging youth and creating viable programs for the greater community is an extraordinary story of hope, vision and perseverance,” said YLC Chairman Hussein Hachem.

The YLC’s community service also includes a program, known as “Feeding Our Neighbors, Supporting Our Families.” Participants of this program help provide food and nutritional supplies to hundreds of people in need.  Through a partnership with Walmart, they visit the Prayertime Tabernacle C.O.G.C. Church in Detroit, at least once a month, to offer their services. 

Last April, the YLC fundraised over $1,800, in under 10 hours, for the American Cancer Society. During the winter, they also participate in a program called “Kill the Cold,” where members donate clothes and shoes to the Salvation Army. Last Thanksgiving, the group also held a Turkey Drive for senior citizens at Dearborn’s Civic Center.  

During Ramadan last year, the YLC hosted a dinner at the Muslim Center in Detroit for less fortunate families that included over 200 people who broke fast together. The group is preparing for a similar event once again this year.

The YLC has held a prominent role under the LAHC for two years now. Suehaila Amen, President of the LAHC, says that since its inception, the group has provided a new perspective for the organization.

“They really have brought a great deal of new ideas and brought other viewpoints that we may not have looked at before,” Amen says. “It allows us to take a better look at our community and look into what needs and concerns young people have in today’s society.”

The group includes approximately 50 active members and has a greater body of 300 members, with affiliates at local colleges that include Henry Ford Community College, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn. 

Just days after their annual dinner, the group is already gearing up for their next event. On Monday, July 8, they will be hosting a food drive at the LAHC headquarters in Dearborn, located at 4337 Maple Road. They are looking for volunteers to package food, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and then distribute the food, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. 

For more information on the event and the YLC, email the group at YLC@LAHC.org.