On May 29, the United States and the world will celebrate the 100th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birth. Tragically, President Kennedy, or JFK as he was known universally, did not live to see the ripe old age of 100 or even get close to it. He was assassinated on November 22, 1963 - when he was only 46 years old - as he sat with his wife Jackie in an open top convertible in a Dallas motorcade. Kennedy’s premature and horrific demise caused professor of history Robert Dallek … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
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Frank Islam Remarks to welcome at his home on the occasion of the Kennedy Center special evening
Kennedy Center Special Evening Remarks By Frank F. Islam May 7, 2017 Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen: I am Frank Islam. Welcome to our humble home On behalf of my wife Debbie and myself, it is my distinct pleasure and privilege to welcome Chairman David Rubenstein, President Deborah Rutter, my fellow board members, members of the NCPA, and you distinguished guests and friends of the Kennedy Center to this special evening in recognition of the John F. … [Read more...]
Indian-Americans can help India Realize its full potential
In 2010, during his first visit to India, President Barack Obama proclaimed: "I believe that India and America are indispensable partners in meeting the challenges of their times." I agree wholeheartedly with the assessment and feel strongly that Indian Americans can play a key role in strengthening that partnership and helping India achieve its full potential. Because of their accomplishments in the United States and understanding of India, Indian Americans are uniquely positioned to step … [Read more...]
The Pivotal Importance Of Purposeful Philanthropy In The United States
President Trump’s “America First” federal budget proposes drastic cuts or the outright elimination of many programs that support the socially and economically disadvantaged; scientific and health research; education; and, the arts. If it is enacted in full, or in part, it will have a dramatic negative effect on this nation and many of its citizens. That will make philanthropy even more critical than it is today here in the United States for promoting the common good and equality of … [Read more...]
Alfred Friendly Press Partners Dinner Remarks
Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for those opening comments. I would like to now give some thanks of my own. I have a few comments to make on why we are supporting Smitha Rajan through the Frank Islam and Debbie Driesman Fellowship Alfred Friendly Press Partners Fellow. Before, I do so, however, I would like to give some thanks. First, my sincere thanks to Susan and Alberto for having us here in their spectacular home for this special dinner. As … [Read more...]
Flying The Unfriendly Skies Of United Airlines
There is an airline cone of silence relegating the customer to a captive state of information deprivation. Back in the days when air travel used to be fun and an experience to be looked forward to rather than dreaded, United Airlines advertising was wrapped around the slogan “Fly the Friendly Skies.” United discontinued its friendly skies promotion in 1996 but revived it again in September of 2013. The friendly skies ads may be back for United but the reality of a pleasurable … [Read more...]
Frank Islam column on philanthropy vs charity
In February 2017, I went to India from the United State of America to dedicate the Frank and Debbie Islam Management Complex at my Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) alma mater. At the dedication of that complex, I said: “While the bricks and mortar are important, far more important is what will go on in this setting. It will be a place for sharing of information and imparting and development of knowledge. It will be a place where faculty and students can collaborate on innovative projects. It will … [Read more...]
The Need For Deconstruction Of The Apocalyptic State
The Trump presidency has magnified and intensified the sorry nature of this state. The United States of America is in an apocalyptic state. That state must be deconstructed because it threatens the future of our citizens, country and the world in which we live. Some might blame this apocalyptic state on the Trump presidency. This would be incorrect. As evidenced by the recent moving forward of the hands on the Doomsday clock, the Trump candidacy and presidency have magnified and … [Read more...]
The Need For Reconstruction, Not Deconstruction, Of The Administrative State
Is there a need for deconstruction of the administrative state? No. Is there a need for reconstruction of the administrative state? Yes. Let’s examine why beginning with the concept of the administrative state. Before Steve Bannon’s proclamation that one of the three “lines of work” of the Trump administration was “deconstruction of the administrative state”, the phrase “administrative state” was primarily the province of academics and wonks at think tanks. Political … [Read more...]
Ahmedabad journalist chosen for Indian American-funded fellowship
Ahmedabad-based journalist Smitha Rajan has been chosen for a fellowship in the US funded by a foundation started by prominent Indian-American IT entrepreneur Frank Islam and his wife Debbie Driesman. The Frank Islam and Debbie Driesman Foundation (FIDDF), whose mission is to promote education, art and culture and peace and conflict-resolution, has joined hands with the Alfred Friendly Press Partners (AFPP), a leader in transforming journalists from information hungry societies, for the … [Read more...]