NY Advocacy Day for Middle Eastern & North African Voices

On MENA Advocacy Day in New York, advocates, organizers, and community members gathered to speak out about an issue that too often goes unnoticed: the erasure of Middle Eastern and North African identities in state and federal data.

The day began with a powerful roundtable conversation. Community members shared deeply personal experiences of being rendered invisible—of applying for services, programs, or jobs, only to find there was no box to check that reflected who they are. For many, the absence of a MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) category has meant being inaccurately categorized as white, which skews data and masks the unique challenges our communities face.

This invisibility isn’t just symbolic. It translates into a lack of funding, fewer culturally competent resources, and inequitable access to programs designed to serve marginalized groups.

Following the roundtable, advocates met with state representatives to push for tangible change. The message was clear: we need funding to support the implementation of accurate data disaggregation policies. Without it, our communities will continue to be left out of crucial decisions that shape our futures.

This advocacy day wasn’t just about policy—it was about power. It was about reclaiming our presence, our stories, and our right to be counted.

Because until we’re counted, we’re not seen.

And we deserve better.