James Joseph Zogby is a prominent American pollster, author, and founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a nonpartisan organization established in 1985 in Washington, D.C. that promotes Arab American civic engagement and influences U.S. policy on the Middle East. Born on January 1, 1945, in Utica, New York, to Lebanese immigrant parents, Zogby grew up in a family deeply connected to Arab heritage, which shaped his lifelong commitment to bridging cultural divides and promoting Middle East policy analysis. His work focuses on Arab-American political engagement, civil rights advocacy, and influencing U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East, with emphasis on issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. relations with Arab nations. Zogby has built a notable career in Democratic politics and media commentary, advising presidential campaigns (including Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore), serving as a delegate to Democratic National Conventions, and contributing to outlets like The Huffington Post and The Nation. He co-founded the polling firm Zogby International with his brother John Zogby, gaining international recognition for surveys in the Middle East. As an author, he wrote 'Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why It Matters' (2010). Zogby is also known for interfaith dialogue and has been a vocal critic of U.S. policies perceived as biased against Arabs and Muslims, navigating tensions in U.S. politics regarding Arab-American representation. His influence persists through the AAI's research and his media presence, making him a key figure in mapping networks of influence in U.S. foreign policy and ethnic advocacy.