Last Updated on 2 days ago by Vijay Kumar
Ismael Ahmed, the American government official and longtime labor and community leader, has died at the age of 79 on January 31, 2026.
Patrick Grant wrote on Facebook, “In loving memory of Ismael Ahmed R.I.P. We are blessed to have known him. 🙏”
Arab American News was the first to report the news of his death.
ACCESS President and Chief Executive Officer Maha Freij said, “With profound sorrow, we share the news of the passing of former ACCESS Executive Director Ismael Ahmed. He was a dear friend to many and devoted his distinguished career to public service and community. He helped shape the organization in its early days and played a central role in its growth.”
“It is impossible to overstate the impact of his contributions to ACCESS, our community, and the entire state of Michigan. Our hearts are with his wife Margaret, his children, and his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.”
Ahmed’s career spanned labor organizing, public service, and cultural leadership. Born in Brooklyn in 1947 to parents of Lebanese and Egyptian descent, he moved with his family to Detroit at the age of six and later earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and sociology from the University of Michigan–Dearborn.
In 1973, he co-founded the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), eventually serving as its executive director for 24 years, where he helped build ACCESS into the largest Arab-American human services organization in the United States.
He also served as Director of the Michigan Department of Human Services from 2007 to 2011, becoming one of the most prominent Arab Americans in Michigan’s state government.
Beyond his administrative roles, Ahmed helped launch the Arab American National Museum, co-founded the Concert of Colors world music festival, and, in 2021, was appointed by President Joe Biden to the National Council on the Arts in recognition of his lifelong commitment to culture and the arts. His work also extended into radio, where he was a familiar voice to many listeners through his public station programs.
Ahmed is survived by his wife, Margaret, their children and grandchildren, and son Saladin Ahmed, a noted fantasy author.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
