Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is a physician, epidemiologist, public health expert, and progressive activist. He is the Chair at Southpaw Michigan. His forthcoming book, “Healing Politics” (Abrams Press) diagnoses our country’s epidemic of insecurity and the empathy politics we will need to treat it, and he is the host of “America Dissected,” a podcast by Crooked Media, which goes beyond the headlines to explore what really matters for our health.

In 2018, Abdul ran for Governor of Michigan on an unapologetically progressive platform, advocating for universal healthcare, clean water for all, debt-free and tuition-free higher education, a pathway to 100% renewable energy, and to rebuild the barrier between corporations and government. His bid was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Nation, and Current Affairs. And though he earned over 340,000 votes, he finished second of three in the Democratic Primary.

Prior, he served as Health Commissioner in the City of Detroit, appointed to rebuild the City’s health department after it was privatized during municipal bankruptcy. He was the youngest health official in a major US city. Responsible for the health and safety of over 670,000 Detroiters, the Detroit Health Department became a state and national leader in public health innovation and environmental justice, in one of the fastest municipal public health turnarounds in American history. He was awarded “Public Official of the Year” by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and “40 under 40” by Crain’s Detroit Business.

Hassan Shibly, the son of Syrian immigrants, was raised in Buffalo New York. His father, an oral surgeon, and mother, an orthodontist, instilled in Hassan an immigrant’s wonder and determination.

Hassan graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a degree in Political Science concentrating on International Relations. He subsequently graduated amongst the top of his class from the University at Buffalo Law School. During his time in Law School, Hassan served as a Public Interest Law Fellow and on the Human Rights Advisory Committee. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in December 2011. Additionally, Hassan was admitted to practice in Florida’s federal courts in April 2012.

He interned with the New York Civil Liberties Union and has written opinions for two New York Supreme Court Judges. In Western New York, Hassan has worked with various legal organizations including Muslim Advocates, National Lawyers Guild, Erie County Bar Association and Erie County Family Court, to help develop programs that protect the Civil Rights of all Americans, and help the American Muslim Community integrate and contribute to America.

Hassan lectures regularly on issues relating to Islam, American Muslims and Civil Rights. Hassan has taught courses on Islamic belief, law, history, spirituality and culture. He actively works with various inter-faith and social service organizations to assist those in need and promote cooperation and understanding between diverse faiths and cultures. Hassan often serves as a consultant on Islam for NGO’s, non-profit organizations, government agencies, media organizations, youth groups, and law enforcement.

He has appeared numerous times in both local and national media outlets including CNN, NPR, Voice of America, the New York Times, the Toronto Star and the Buffalo News for his work protecting civil liberties and promoting understanding of the Muslim faith. He runs a successful academic publishing company focusing on the traditional Islamic sciences, and is the founder of the Center for American Muslim Understanding. Hassan’s work has earned him the attention of various Islamophobic publications, which criticize Hassan for “deceiving the American People” by “promoting a peaceful and tolerant image of Islam.”

Amer Zahr is an Arab-American comedian, speaker, writer, academic, and adjunct professor at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He draws on his experiences growing up as a child of Palestinian immigrant parents, performing and lecturing on topics like politics, society, Islam, growing up Arab, and more.

In 2016, Amer also served as a surrogate for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
In February 2016, Amer headlined a packed house at New York City’s world-famous Carnegie Hall, alongside Palestinian-American comedians Said Durrah, Mona Aburmishan, and Mike Easmeil.

In June 2015, Amer headlined at the world-famous John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. He produced this show as well, making it the first time that an all-Palestinian cast took the stage at the internationally-renowned venue.
He has produced and headlined in 3 of his own comedy tours, “1001 Laughs Comedy Tour,” “We’re Not White!” and “In 1948.”

He founded and produced the first-ever “1001 Laughs Ramallah Comedy Festival,” a production in Palestine that featured 10 comedians and 7 shows in August 2015. The festival entertained over 2,000 locals and was funded by the US Consulate General in Jerusalem, a branch of the United States Department of State. Amer, as the producer of the festival, received great acclaim and much media attention from the following outlets:

CNN | CNN Arabic | BBC Arabic | Haaretz | Al-Hurra | Palestine Today | Wattan TV | MAAN Network | 972 Mag | Palestine News Network | Sky News

He is also the producer of the annual “1001 Laughs Dearborn Comedy Festival” in Dearborn, Michigan at the Arab American National Museum.