Work

Interview with Monocle’s The Urbanist

November 18, 2016 News

One of the many great things about attending CityLab 2016 in Miami was the opportunity to speak with inspiring and talented leaders from across various professional fields. This included conversations with some great journalists, including the one I had with Megan Billings, Deputy Bureau Chief at Monocle. I’m a big fan of Monocle magazine and I enjoyed speaking with Ms. Billings about the work of the Arab American National Museum. The interview was published by Monocle’s The Urbanist podcast (episodeRead More

Sharing Our Innovative Work at CityLab 2016

October 23, 2016 News

I’m immensely excited to be in Miami for CityLab 2016. Over the next few days, attendees will explore both challenges and innovative approaches to creating more sustainable and vibrant cities. I have the honor of serving on a breakout session on Monday, October 24 called Community Building with Arts and Culture. Moderated by Sammy Hoi, president of the Maryland Institute College of Art, the panel will also include Franklin Sirmans, director of the Perez Art Museum Miami; and Joe RobertsonRead More

Panel Presentations in Washington, DC (Oct. 18/19, 2016)

October 22, 2016 News

2016 Smithsonian Affiliations Annual Conference Opening Session: Saluting our Past, Shaping our Future October 18, 2016 at the Rasmuson Theater, National Museum of the American Indian Moderated by Harold A. Closter, Director, Smithsonian Affiliations Devon Akmon, Director, Arab American National Museum Sarah Holbrooke, Executive Director, The Pinhead Institute Allyson Nakamoto, Director of Education, Japanese American National Museum Jose Santamaria, Executive Director, Tellus Science Museum Affiliate partnerships can be enriching and occasionally transforming. What have we learned from 20 years ofRead More

Upcoming Speaking Engagements: Week of October 17, 2016

October 12, 2016 News

Next week I’m heading to Washington, D.C for a couple of professional engagements. First up is the Smithsonian Affiliations Annual Conference. The conference runs from Monday, October 17 through Thursday, October 20. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Smithsonian Affiliations and our colleagues in Washington have put together an excellent conference schedule. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues, exchanging ideas, and learning fresh insights. Check out the conference agenda. My responsibilities at the annual conference are twofold. First,Read More

Featured in Hour Detroit Magazine

June 11, 2015 News

The Arab American National Museum was featured in the June 2015 edition of Hour Detroit. There’s a nice article on the museum’s tenth anniversary. Creating Conversations: For 10 years, Dearborn’s Arab American National Museum has been telling the community’s unique stories “It makes you optimistic about the future for this institution, no matter who is here,” Akmon says. “It’s our goal to continue to contribute and to continue to mold it to that next shape.”

Detroit Resurgent

November 7, 2013 News

Late last year I had the honor of being photographed by the noted French photographer Gilles Perrin for an exhibit called Detroit Resurgent. I am humbled and honored to be included in this exhibit, which is on display at the MSU Museum through January 2014. The exhibition will travel to Detroit and will be hosted at the MSU Detroit Center from May-December 2014. Here’s more on the exhibition: Detroit Resurgent is an exhibition that runs from September 8, 2013 throughRead More

Featured in Crain’s Detroit Business’ Annual Giving Guide

November 6, 2013 News

The Arab American National Museum was featured in the 2013 Giving Guide, published by Crain’s Detroit Business. Here I discuss our goal of building the endowment to $10 million by 2017. Exit strategy: More nonprofits, donors turn to endowments for lasting impact “Through the recession, we learned arts and culture was not the No. 1 priority for certain foundations and corporations,” said Devon Akmon, director of the Arab American National Museum. Endowment “is a way of building a more sustainableRead More

Crain’s Detroit 40 Under 40 Ceremony

November 6, 2013 News

A heartfelt congrats to all the other awardees of the Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40. And much love to the Arab American National Museum and ACCESS staff for making their leaders look so good. They do the heavy lifting that makes our organization shine!

40 Under 40

October 6, 2013 News

I’m honored to be recognized by Crain’s Business Detroit as one of the 2013 “40 Under 40” business leaders. Since 1991, Crain’s Detroit Business has honored 40 of the community’s high achievers with its 40 under 40 awards. This year’s winners launched companies, helped grow established firms, created products, swung international deals, improved health care and aided nonprofits. The goal is to honor the best and brightest in Southeast Michigan who have made their marks in business before age 40.Read More

A New Role at the Museum

July 1, 2013 News

Today marks the beginning of a new journey. I was just promoted to director of the Arab American National Museum. Here we go (via Crane’s Detroit Business: Arab American Museum names deputy as new director).