May 23, 2010

If you weren't able to join us for our 2010 Media Awards gala honoring Voices of Courage & Conscience earlier this month, this is your chance to hear from our four honorees themselves as they accept their award.

Those honored included:

• Dave Eggers - Pulitzer nominated author of the New York Times' bestseller "Zeitoun," which tells the story of an American Muslim family in New Orleans living through the ravages of Hurricane Katrina and the what it means to be a Muslim in America post-9/11. (Click here to watch)
• Peter Nowalk, Faran Tahir & Mark Wilding - the gifted team which brought into being a unique episode of the ABC hit drama "Grey's Anatomy" called "Give Peace a Chance" which centers around a heart-warming and inspiring Muslim character. (Click here to watch)
• Karan Johar & Steve Gilula - the Bollywood director of "My Name is Khan" and Fox Searchlight President who brought the film to audiences worldwide. (Click here to watch)
• Cherien Dabis - the first-time director's film "Amreeka" tells a witty and insightful story of a blended Palestinian family living in the American midwest during the first Gulf War. (Click here to watch)

In all of their remarks, our honorees reflected on the critical importance of complex and nuanced portrayals of underrepresented populations like Muslims.

More than 550 people joined MPAC on May 1st for the 19th annual Media Awards, including public officials, interfaith leaders, entertainment industry executives, and local Muslim Americans.

- Edina Lekovic (edina@mpac.org)
Communications Director