Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities make up over 700,000 people in California, yet they are not officially counted in state data. This lack of recognition means:

• No accurate health, housing, or economic data for MENA populations.

• Underfunding for community programs, schools, and healthcare services.

• Invisibility in policy decisions affecting civil rights and protections.

Without a MENA category, critical funding, protections, and services are out of reach.
State and federal agencies use racial and ethnic data to allocate resources for:

• Healthcare access (insurance, mental health support, medical research).

• Education funding (scholarships, minority-serving institutions).

• Workforce & business grants (minority-owned business opportunities).

MENA people are classified as "White" in government records, but face unique discrimination and systemic exclusion.

• We experience workplace discrimination and economic barriers, yet lack protections.

• We struggle with racial profiling in immigration, national security, and policing.
  

• Our health outcomes are distinct, but without proper data, they remain unaddressed.

MENA communities have shaped California for generations, contributing to:

• The food industry, including some of the state’s most celebrated restaurants and markets.

• Arts & culture, from literature to film and fashion.

• Civil rights movements, including advocacy for immigrant rights and racial justice.

Yet, despite this rich history, our voices remain absent in official data, underrepresented in leadership, and overlooked in policymaking.

Without recognition, MENA communities will continue to be ignored.

• No public health research to address our specific medical risks.

• No protections in employment, education, and business development.

• No funding for language access, mental health, or community support programs.