April is an important opportunity to intentionally recognize culture, history, and contributions during Arab Heritage Month. In 2021, President Biden formally recognized April as Arab American Heritage Month. During the month, we honor the achievements of Arab Americans whose roots trace to Northern Africa and the Middle East.
If you are looking for meaningful ways to incorporate Arab Heritage Month into your classroom, I firmly believe student research is one of the most effective approaches. Exploring real individuals across fields such as athletics, politics, science, literature, and the arts helps our students understand the wide-ranging impact of Arab Americans. Below, you will find research ideas organized by category, along with brief background information and trusted sources where your students can learn more.
Athletes to Research During Arab Heritage Month
When athletes are highlighted during Arab Heritage Month, it helps your students see representation in professional sports and international competition.
You may recognize Doug Flutie from his successful football career at Boston College and in the NFL and CFL. Beyond sports, he is also known for his charitable work supporting autism awareness.
Steve Kerr is a former NBA player and current head
coach of the Golden State Warriors. He has won multiple championships and has spoken about his Lebanese heritage.
Justin Abdelkader is a former NHL player best known for his time with the Detroit Red Wings. He represented Team USA internationally and has spoken about his Lebanese heritage.
Sam Khalifa is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1980s. He has been recognized as one of the first Arab American MLB players.
Sarah Attar competed in the 2012 London Olympics. She became one of the first female athletes to represent Saudi Arabia in Olympic track and field.
Toni Breidinger competes in NASCAR. She is recognized as the first Arab American female driver in the NASCAR national series.
Political Leaders to Study During Arab Heritage Month
As you plan for Arab Heritage Month, consider including individuals who have served in public leadership roles. This allows students to examine how Arab Americans have influenced policy, education, and public service.
Dina Habib Powell served as U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor. Born in Egypt and raised in the United States, she has spoken about her Egyptian heritage and immigrant experience.
Rashida Tlaib serves as a U.S. Representative from
Michigan. She is one of the first Palestinian American women elected to Congress.
Khader El-Yateem is a Palestinian American community leader and Lutheran pastor. He ran for the New York City Council. His campaign focused on housing, education, and community issues.
Donna Shalala previously served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and later represented Florida in Congress. Her career has also included leadership in higher education.
Darrell Issa has served as a U.S. Representative from California and held various roles in state and federal government.
Television, Film, and Arts Figures for Arab Heritage Month
When entertainers and artists are featured during Arab Heritage Month, it gives your students a chance to explore cultural influence through media and the arts.
Paula Abdul is a singer, dancer, and television personality known for her music career and her role as a judge on American Idol.
Salma Hayek is an actress and producer known for
Hoda Kotb is a broadcast journalist and co-anchor of NBC’s Today show. Born in the United States to Egyptian parents, she has shared stories about her Egyptian heritage and upbringing.
Maysoon Zayid is a comedian, writer, and advocate who is Palestinian American. She is also known for her public speaking and activism, including her widely viewed TED Talk.
Frédéric Fekkai is a celebrity hairstylist and entrepreneur born in France to Algerian parents. He built an internationally recognized beauty brand.
Gigi Hadid is an internationally known fashion model. Her father is Palestinian American.
Tony Shalhoub is an Emmy Award–winning actor best known for his role in the television series Monk.
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., helped shape modern technology. His biological father was Syrian.
Casey Kasem was a radio personality best known for hosting American Top 40. He was the son of Lebanese immigrants and became one of the most recognizable voices in American radio.
Danny Thomas was an actor, comedian, and philanthropist who founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He was the son of Lebanese immigrants and often spoke proudly about his heritage.
His daughter, Marlo Thomas, is an actress, producer, and activist who has continued philanthropic work through St. Jude and has built her own career in television and advocacy.
Jerry Seinfeld is a comedian, actor, and writer best known for the television show Seinfeld. His heritage includes Syrian Jewish ancestry on his mother’s side.
Historical Figures to Remember During Arab Heritage Month
When historical figures are included during Arab Heritage Month, it gives your students the chance to explore impact and legacy. The individuals listed below help guide conversations about service, activism, perseverance, and historical context.
pilot and the first American jet ace in history during the Korean War. He was the son of Lebanese immigrants and became one of the most decorated fighter pilots of his time.
Linda Sarsour is a Palestinian American activist and community organizer known for her involvement in civil rights advocacy.
Candy Lightner is best known as the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an organization focused on preventing impaired driving. She is of Lebanese descent and became an advocate after a personal family tragedy.
Scientists to Highlight
STEM contributions are another powerful focus during Arab Heritage Month, especially if you want to highlight innovation and discovery.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician who helped expose the Flint water crisis by presenting research on elevated lead levels in children.
program and contributed to lunar exploration research.
Christa McAuliffe was a teacher selected to participate in NASA’s Teacher in Space Project. She tragically lost her life in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster.
Dr. Michael DeBakey was a pioneering cardiovascular surgeon whose innovations in heart surgery transformed modern medicine. He developed new surgical techniques and medical devices that are still used today.
Dr. Elias J. Corey is a Nobel Prize–winning chemist recognized for his work in synthetic organic chemistry. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1990 for developing methods that allow chemists to design complex molecules more efficiently.
Ahmed Zewail won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999 for his work in femtochemistry.
Writers and Poets to Research
If you want to incorporate reading and writing into Arab Heritage Month, literature offers a meaningful pathway.
Fady Joudah is a Palestinian American poet and translator known for his award-winning poetry collections. He is also well-known for his translations of contemporary Arabic poetry into English. His work often explores themes of identity, displacement, and belonging.
Laila Lalami is a Moroccan-American novelist and essayist whose work centers on immigration, identity, and historical narratives. Her novels have received national recognition and are used in academic settings.
Khalil Gibran was a Lebanese-American poet best
known for "The Prophet", a collection of philosophical essays and poetry.
Naomi Shihab Nye is a poet whose work often explores identity, heritage, and peace.
Mona Simpson is an American novelist known for works such as Anywhere but Here. She is of Syrian descent through her father.
Make Arab Heritage Month Simple and Structured
If you want a meaningful and manageable way to bring Arab Heritage Month into your classroom, my free Spotlight on Arab Heritage template gives your students more than just a place to record facts.
You can use a ready-made page that works with any individual from this list. Whether your students are researching athletes, scientists, writers, or political leaders, the consistent structure supports deeper thinking while keeping expectations clear. If you are ready to incorporate Arab Heritage Month in an intentional way, download my free Spotlight on Arab Heritage template and begin planning your student research projects for April.
Bringing Arab Heritage Month Into Your Classroom
As you plan for Arab Heritage Month, you have the chance to introduce your students to influential individuals. By guiding students through structured research, you're helping them move beyond surface-level recognition and toward deeper understanding. Whether you choose to focus on one category or explore multiple fields, the individuals listed in this post give you a strong starting point. Through intentional research and thoughtful discussion, you can help your students recognize the diverse contributions of Arab Americans.
Save for Later
Planning ahead for Arab Heritage Month? Save this post so you have a list of research topics and classroom ideas when April arrives. Pin it to your social studies or ELA boards so you can easily reference these Arab Heritage Month research ideas whenever you begin planning your lessons.
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