Building Bridges. Opening Minds. Empowering Communities.
June 2020
APF News
APF Mid-Year Update
We published the APF Mid-Year Update to share a snapshot of how we are implementing our mission, all while pivoting our work to fit our now largely virtual world.

A few important highlights since January include:

  • APF reached over 1600 people through events.
  • We engage over 136,000 connections across social media platforms.
  • Our website had 45,000 page views since its October launch.

It's fulfilling to see this level of engagement. We are grateful for your involvement.
APF Pandemic Relief Fund Grantees
This month we announced another round of grant recipients for the APF Pandemic Relief Fund.

Congratulations to:

Long Island Jobs With Justice
Poligon Education Fund
Utah Civic Muslim League
Fajr Memorial Foundation
Learn From the Best
on APF Connect
Accelerate your career by engaging over 300 mentors and peers on the APF Connect mentorship and networking platform.
APF Is Growing
We welcome the following new team members:
Jason Grill, Research Fellow

Jason Grill is an undergraduate student at Duke University pursuing a major in Public Policy and a minor in History. Previously, he interned at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He currently sits on the editorial board of Duke's undergraduate research journal on the Middle East. After graduating, he plans to pursue a career in foreign policy. 
Michael Sauer, Arts & Culture Coordinator

Michael Sauer is a rising Senior at the University of Wisconsin studying Political Science and Economics, with certificates in South Asia studies and Public Policy. He is a cadet in the Air Force ROTC program. In summer 2019, Michael was the South Asia research intern at the Hudson Institute.
Maida Wasim, APF Connect Coordinator

Maida Wasim is an upcoming senior at CUNY Hunter College. She is majoring in Human Biology, aspiring to become a physician. Outside of college, Maida volunteers at NYU Langone health as a Surgical Services ambassador and also volunteers with the Weill Cornell Heart to Heart community outreach campaign. Maida hopes to help tackle the social and health inequalities that persist in our communities.
Become a member of APF

Join a network of leaders seeking transformative and positive change for all communities and gain access to members-only events and exclusive member benefits.
APF Opening Minds
Omar Ilyas on Being An APF Fellow &
How It Inspired His Work in Pakistan
"Omar Ilyas grew up in Rochester Hills, Michigan, about an hour's drive from Ann Arbor where he recently earned his bachelor's degree in public health at the University of Michigan. Through the connections he made at Michigan—and equipped with his public health training—he helped launch the nonprofit Paani...The organization funds and builds water wells in rural Pakistan." Read More
In case you missed them, the APF webinars are always available on our website . Here's what we got up to this month:

  • Returning to Work After Quarantine: Lawyer Saniya Ahmed and business leader Javad Ahmad on mitigating risk & ensuring workplace safety.

  • Plan Your Financial Future In Uncertain Times: Financial experts Alison Young, Riaz Siddiqi, and Rizwan Ibrahim on how Americans should plan their financial futures.

  • The Transformative Power of Poetry: Dr. Azra Raza on the American poet Emily Dickinson and Ghalib, the famous writer of Urdu and Persian poetry.
APF Communities
APF Welcomes New Leadership Council Members
APF welcomes the following new members to its Leadership Council:

Muhammad Hashim , New York, NY
Mehmil Zia , Washington, DC
Ali Khan , New York, NY
Sehyr Qayum , New York, NY
Noeman Samdani , New York, NY
Suhail Shaikh , New York, NY
Rida Naeem , Washington, DC
Mohid Khan , Baltimore, MD
Shahrzad Rizvi , Dallas, TX
Anum Chandani , Houston, TX

JOIN THE APF COMMUNITY OF DOERS

The APF Leadership Council is a network of leaders who enthusiastically and generously give their expertise, time, and energy to APF. Members attend private salon discussions, webinars, and networking events. APF provides a platform for members to convene and organize events, engage in dialogue, and build initiatives related to the APF mission.
The APF Blog
Active Voice
Brown is Beautiful
Karachi-based artist Shehzil Malik on womanhood in Pakistan. Read More
We Are APF
Meet Jon Pearl
Assistant to APF President
"Working with APF has been a privilege. I've seen firsthand the incredible passion, determination, and kindness of the community. I've learned just how much can get done when dedicated people come together to advance a cause they believe in."
Jon Pearl graduated with a M.A. degree in Middle East studies and international economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS. He received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. After graduation, he worked for the AmeriCorps in a north-side Chicago high school with teenage refugees. Jon later took a job as the chief of staff for the state representative responsible for that district.
Together, we will empower communities and build bridges.
Your donation will expand APF’s reach, programming, and impact in the United States and in Pakistan.