Long Beach City Council Meeting
July 11, 2023
5pm
Dear Esteemed Leaders and Audience Members,
My name is Dr. Maha Afra. I am your constituent, a property owner in Long Beach, an educator, and a local artist. Mostly, I am a proud mom of three amazing adult children.
I am in front of you to ask you to endorse, support, help my friend and neighbor Laila As mi's event, East Meets West that is scheduled to take place at MOLAA on September 17, during Hispanic Heritage Month. Laila has already given you a glimpse of what the event is about. Laila and her team are using the arts as an effective tool to showcase the common threads we share in our beloved city, and to shed a light on children's plight in Pakistan. Laila is adamant that as many cultures as possible be represented in the event. I am learning from Laila about these important issues in South East Asia that are hidden yet detrimental to the lives of these children.
The city of Long Beach has always been a beacon of equity and social justice. We do not live in a bubble.
As a local artist, I have participated in many events in the city that celebrate all of us. In my experience, there is a need for more awareness regarding the diverse South East Asian cultures. Laila's event is a first in our city in its quest to openly bring our attention to the plight of Pakistani children. As she says, and I am quoting "no child should have to choose between food and school." As she explained to me that boys who must work instead of going to school are subject to abuse, including sexual abuse. Think about this statement.
I am helping as an individual, an artist, where my dance company will be performing for the event, and as a board member of the Cultural Alliance of Long Beach. I hope you too are willing to help as well.
Looking forward for a conversation with you.
In Gratitude,
Maha Afra MS, MFA, EdD
Long Beach 90803
FORTIFY EDUCATION FOUNDATION presents a multi
cultural music/art benefit extravaganza to help
eradicate hunger in underprivileged schools.
Venue:
molaa
MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART
628 Alamitos Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802
FORTIFY EDUCATION
FOUNDATION
September 17, 2023
5pm
Auction of work of iconic artists
Jimmy Engineer, Moeen Faruqi, Farrukh
Shahab, Faizan Reidinger
Subcontinent's favorite voices
Ali Damani, Rekha Bakashi, Joel Emanuel
Mesmerizing dance troupe
Maha and Company
Live Band/DJ
From SoCal
Live painting exhibition
Alvaro Rosas & Diego Yeyo Aguirre
Special star appearance
Shawn Brown, NBA
eastmeetswest lb@gmail .com [2J
+1 {954) 675-5094 d)
www.fortifyeducationfoundation.org ~
Commun ity sponsors:
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ARI KUSIC CULI URE I
FEF is a registered, no n -profit c h ar itab le org a nization under· sectio n 501 (c) of the IRS. Contr ibutions a r e tax