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Jefferson Award for Public Service
Paul, with his then supervisor, celebrating his youth leadership work at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston being honored with a Jefferson Awards Certificate of Excellence for Public Service.
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Hurricane Katrina Relief
I was selected by my peers to lead the Houston Muslim Community’s Hurricane Katrina relief effort. This massive endeavor included training approximately 3,000 volunteers and coordinating over 30 organizations.
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Statewide Training for Law Enforcement
After a thorough outreach and bridge building effort, I was invited to help design and appear in a series of training videos by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for all law enforcement officers in TN.
The first (me) and second (Rodwaan Saleh) Executive Directors of The Islamic Society of Greater Houston discussing bridge building and cooperation among mosques at the Texas Dawah Convention in Houston, Texas.
Interview on CNN about prevention, off ramping and counter radicalization efforts by American Muslims post Sept. 1tth, 2001.
The crowd after the TN Muslim Day at Capitol which included the first Jummah prayer ever held at the capitol.
A shot of the youth tour of the capitol from inside the senate chamber of the TN state capitol. The tour was designed to encourage civic participation and careers in public service.
A presentation on media relations and working with print media in side the TN state capitol with David Plazas the Opinion and Engagement Director for the USA TODAY Network newsrooms in Tennessee.
Community leaders after a productive meeting on upcoming legislation with elected officials and staff during the TN Muslim Day at the Capitol.
The crowd after the TN Muslim Day and Jummah Prayer at Capitol.
Distributing a PBS produced DVD on facts about American Muslims to every statewide elected official and their staff members. This was in response to a TN state legislator's distribution of another DVD filled with hate speech and misinformation.
A community roundtable with Sherriff Hall which lead to the creation of a Muslim Community Liaison staff position in the Sherriff's Dept.
Training the Davidson County Sheriff Department on best practices and cultural competencies while working with Muslim and immigrant communities.
Listening Sherriff Hall address community concerns at a community round table.
Training Metro Nashville Police Academy cadets just before they graduate. This was part of the Metro Nashville Human Rights Commission bus tour that introduced new officers to the communities they will be serving.
Community leaders meeting with the Memphis Police Department in which we discussed increased safety measures during the month of Ramadan and for minority owned businesses in Memphis.
At Lipscomb University (my alma mater) with the Nashville Human Rights Commission Executive Director Beverly L. Watts during a event I helped design called "Critical Conversations" which helped community leaders and students understand often overlooked issues faced by marginalized communities.
Honoring U.S. District Court Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr. during the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's second annual Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Fund luncheon.
Celebrating the first official Nashville Muslim Community Recognition Day with Mayor Berry and several City Council Members at the Islamic Center of Tennessee.
Interview with FOX News national broadcast about a bias incident against an Islamic School in Texas.
Nashville Muslim students learning how Television News is produced and discovering future career opportunities to consider.
Outside at Nashville News Channel 5 before a intro to broadcast journalism and station tour for Nashville Muslim students.
A student takes a selfie with a Nashville News Anchor while learning about careers in journalism.
The first meeting between Nashville Muslim Leaders and the Tennessean's Editorial Board. The event helped the USA TODAY Network of newsrooms in Tennessee better understand TN Muslims.
At the first meeting with The Commercial Appeal's Editorial Board and Memphis Muslim Community Leaders.
A second meeting with Tennessean Editorial Board the Nashville Muslim Community to maintain the relationship and address new issues in the community.
At the Texas Halal Bill's signing with Governor Rick Perry. This consumer protection measure was the first piece of legislation designed and advocated for by the Texas Muslim Community that was signed into law.
Speaking at the Exchange Club of Fort Bend on Texas Muslims and community services offered at Sugar Land Mosques.
During my session at the 2019 Texas Dawah Convention called "The Trump Effect" with over 2,000 people in attendance.
Celebrating with my wife Alana Raybon after receiving my Master's Degree in Civic Leadership from Lipscomb University.