Southeast Michigan has long been a destination for those seeking opportunity and Arab American communities have been part of that journey going back to the 1800s. David Serio’s great-grandfather immigrated to Michigan in the early 1900s, became a gardener and later operated a small, home-based market, embracing entrepreneurship.   

Serio, the curator of education at the Arab American National Museum, helps preserve the histories of Arab American families like his own through the museum’s oral history archives. He shared his family’s migration story as part of Detroit PBS’ Destination Detroit initiative. 

Growing up, Serio’s grandfather instilled a sense of pride in their Arab heritage by sharing stories and traditional food. This helped Serio develop a positive connection to his Arab American identity, even when faced with stereotypes. In his current role at the Arab American National Museum, he shares stories and helps build understanding. 

Arab American immigration to Michigan accelerated with the auto industry as missionaries and Ford employees were sent to Arab countries to recruit men to work in the auto factories, Serio said. Dearborn became a significant center for Arab immigration because of its proximity to a Ford factory. As the population grew, immigrants established restaurants and shops. The growth has resulted in a flourishing Arab population and business community in Dearborn and other parts of the region. 

One Detroit contributor Sarah Zientarski sat down with Serio to talk about his family’s migration to America, the history of Arab immigration in Michigan, and the thriving Arab American community in Southeast Michigan.