Award winners, from left to right: Najla Said, Dr. Magid Abraham, Professor Rima Kaddourah-Daouk, Anthony R. Abraham, Ahmad Bader, Dr Gary Nabhan, Dr Elias Zerhouni, Dr Dimitri Azar and Ricardo Karam, founder of Takreem. (Credit: Takreem)
Emulating Miami and Los Angeles, Boston — boasting a rich academic landscape with over 70 esteemed institutions, including Harvard and MIT — hosted the third annual Takreem America Awards and TAKminds Forum last weekend.
These events aimed to honor exceptional achievements and contributions within the Lebanese-Arab community residing in the United States.
The awards ceremony unfolded at the Westin Copley Place, while the intellectually stimulating TAKminds Forum convened at MIT.
The gatherings brought together a distinguished array of Lebanese-Arab luminaries from across the nation, comprising 500 eminent personalities spanning various fields such as medicine, science, technology, research, finance, entrepreneurship, education, the arts and philanthropy.
A significant cohort of aspiring scholars pursuing higher education at these renowned universities graced the occasion.
The trajectory of Takreem America reflects a journey of ascension, affirming its steadfast dedication to acknowledging Arab-American trailblazers and nurturing interconnectedness within the community.
The audience gathered for the American national anthem. (Credit: Takreem)
Ricardo Karam: ‘Bridge builder’
The event started with a dynamic start as presenter Ghida Fakhri, a prominent media personality in the Arab world, took the stage.
Echoing the spirit of Khalil Gibran, Ricardo Karam, the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, describes himself as a “builder of bridges between the Lebanese and their homeland,” embarking on a transformative journey since 2022 that “transcends borders and bridges differences. In this quest, there is a single common value: Humanity.”
As an entrepreneur, Karam established the Takreem Foundation with a resolute mission: “To challenge stereotypes and promote values such as peace, tolerance and empathy within the Arab community.”
Addressing the audience, he emphasized the foundation’s commitment to showcasing Arab achievements, empowering Arab youth, fostering entrepreneurship and advocating for gender equality and human rights.
“Takreem America brings a ray of hope, providing a platform for dialogue and solidarity,” Karam said. “Together, let’s build bridges of understanding and envision a future where tolerance and compassion reign supreme.”
As a tradition, the prizewinners in six distinct categories were celebrated: Scientific and Technological Achievement, Environment and Sustainable Development, Business Leadership, Cultural Excellence, Young Entrepreneurship and Lifetime Achievement.
Dr. Magid Abraham (Lebanon) was honored with the Business Leadership Award; Ms. Najla Said (Palestine) received the Cultural Excellence Award; Dr. Gary Nabhan (Syria-Lebanon) was recognized for Environmental Development and Sustainability; Dr. Elias Zerhouni (Algeria) was awarded for his scientific and technological accomplishments and Ahmed Badr (Iraq) received the Young Entrepreneurship Award.
Moreover, Dr. Dimitri Azar (Lebanon) and Professor Rima Kaddurah-Daouk (Palestine) were bestowed with Lifetime Achievement Awards, while the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation (Miami) received a Distinction Award. The Abraham Foundation (Miami) was granted a special distinction.
The TAKminds Forum was held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). (Credit: Takreem)
TAKminds Forum at MIT brings together 16 speakers and moderators
Over the weekend, the TAKminds Forum convened, bringing together 16 speakers and moderators across diverse fields such as art, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, medicine, finance and AI.
Among the participants were notable figures from the arts world, including Arab-American artist Helen Zughaib, art specialist Suzy Sikorski and artistic consultant Yasmina Moukarzel. Influential entrepreneurs like Fadel Adib, Edouard Massih and Sami Shalabi contributed to the discussions, alongside dynamic change-makers such as Paul Ayoub and Nicola Yammine.
Additionally, AI enthusiasts, including Richard Rabbat, Founder and CEO of Lighty AI, Raja-Elie Abdulnour, Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Development and AI Integration and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School Jean-Claude Saghbini, President of Lumeris Value-Based Care Enablement and Nadine Chakar, Managing Director and Global Head of DTCC Digital Assets, shared their insightful experiences. These discussions offered valuable perspectives on the contributions of Arab-American minds within their societies and beyond, exploring avenues to create a lasting impact and legacy.
For more information about the Takreem America Foundation: www.Takreemamerica.org
This article was originally published in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translated by Sahar Ghoussoub.