Let’s talk about MENA

When we say MENA, we’re talking about communities within the U.S. that are associated with the Middle East & North Africa - a diverse region that includes 22 Arab countries, 3 non-Arab countries, and 3 trans-national communities .

Algeria,

Bahrain,

Comoros,

Djibouti,

Egypt,

Iraq,

Iran,

Israel,

Jordan,

Kuwait,

Lebanon,

Libya,

Mauritania,

Morocco,

Oman,

Palestine,

Qatar,

Saudi Arabia,

Somalia,

Sudan,

Syria,

Tunisia,

Turkey,

United Arab Emirates,

Yemen,

Assyrians,

Kurds,

Berbers,

Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Assyrians, Kurds, Berbers,

MENA communities bring with them not only their heritage but also their languages, traditions, and cultural identities.

Arabs

Arabic

Persians

Farsi

Jews

Hebrew

Kurdish

Kurds

Turks

Turkish

What brings MENA communities together?

  • Food

  • Family and Friends

  • Cultural and Religious Holidays

  • Art, Fashion, and Music

What does the data say?

Lost in the Data

3.5M

In the 2020 Census, 3.5M identified as MENA—either alone or in combination with another race—yet they were grouped into the “White” or “Some Other Race” category, erasing cultural distinctions and making the community invisible in policy, research, and business.

- Census Data

Among the 3.5M that identified MENA, 47% were Lebanese, Iranian, and Egyptian.

California, Michigan and New York had the largest MENA populations, with over 300,000 people reporting MENA alone or in any combination.

- Census Data

The Turning Point:
Finally, a MENA Checkbox

Thanks to updated OMB standards issued in 2024, MENA communities will be recognized in official data, opening doors for accurate representation, fair funding, and more effective outreach.

However, the change won’t happen until the 2027 American Community Survey and the 2030 Census.

Why does it matter?

  • Without classification, health disparities go unseen—and untreated. For example, 7% of MENA immigrants report early memory loss vs. 9.6% U.S.-born whites.

  • Being labeled “White” hides inequities in jobs, housing, and education—leading to underfunding.

  • Generic marketing overlooks MENA cultural nuance, missing opportunities for connection.

  • MENA communities are educated, entrepreneurial, and influential—but undervalued in marketing strategies.

How can The Blooming Banoo help?

  • Translate numbers into narratives

  • Replace stereotypes with authentic stories

  • Connect brands to communities with strategy rooted in culture