Our Story
In 2014, Azita Ghanizada, the founder of MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, faced a stark realization during a television network pilot table read. Despite her Middle Eastern heritage, she was categorized as white, highlighting a significant blind spot in Hollywood's hiring practices. Determined to change this narrative, Azita discovered a lack of organizations dedicated to supporting Middle Eastern North African (MENA) performers. This led to the birth of MAAC, an initiative focused on advocating for MENA representation in the entertainment industry.