Badge Partner: MAAC

MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC) has worked throughout the entertainment industry to advance and increase the visibility of Middle Eastern, North African, and South West Asian writers, creatives, performers, and crew members.

The entertainment industry's lack of representation for Middle Eastern, North African, and South West Asian talent became evident to MAAC Founder Azita Ghanizada, during a major TV network pilot table read when she was informed that she was considered caucasian by DEI hiring practices. After recognizing the absence of organizations advocating for these performers and crew, Azita founded the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC) to champion the community’s rights and inclusion.

Since then, MAAC has actively promoted the representation of creatives and performers from the region through research, education, and programming. Hirers can search for MAAC members on Impact Crew by filtering for the MAAC badge.