Reni Stephan, 42, was born in Baghdad and moved to the U.S. when he was 11. He said his family has plenty of musical talent, and while he shares a love of music, his artistry is more visual in nature. Stephan is a sculptor and painter who owns the Studio Lamassu Art Studio on 15 Mile near Ryan Road in Sterling Heights.
Read MoreNow 12-years-old, Genevieve Kashat, featured on the cover of the March 2023 issue, has returned to the Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship” for their Halloween baking special. Fittingly titled “Bloodcurdling Bakes,” four contestants returned to claim title of “Baking Champ” along with a $10,000 prize package, packed with baking implements.
Read MoreTwo members of the Chaldean community made Crain’s “40 Under 40” list this year, joining a class of professionals that are at or near the top of their game and still rising. They are CEOs, presidents, franchisors, creators, developers, founders, judges, and community leaders. Each was nominated by colleagues or peers and selected through a rigorous review process by Crain’s editors and reporters. They will be celebrated on November 9 at the Gem Theatre in Detroit. Congratulations Brandon Hanna and Brian Shunia.
Read MoreSamantha Jarbou graduated salutatorian of her class at Clio High School, where her family are the only Chaldeans. She was vice president of Student Council and the National Honor Society and the president of Clio High School’s Youth Entrepreneurship Club for 4 years. Samantha is active in the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, also known as NFTE. She invented the “Vest Pack” and the “Handy Ottoman” which took her to win the local, state, and national competitions in New York City, the first student from Michigan to get that far. She participates in HOSA (Future Health Professionals of America), a global student-led organization that enhances students’ leadership, development, and communication skills.
Read MoreHonigman LLP announced that Rana Sadek Roumayah has joined its Labor and Employment Department as a partner in the firm’s Detroit office. Roumayah joins Honigman after working for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for 23 years. At the NLRB, she developed an expertise in traditional labor law and other aspects of employment law. Specializing in case analysis, strategic planning, negotiations, and compliance, Roumayah has litigated, negotiated, and tried hundreds of cases.
Read MoreOn September 10, members of local law enforcement were honored during the Brighter Michigan PAC’s America Safety First event held at Jimmy John’s Field. The political action committee honored Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham as Law Enforcement Administrator of the Year and Macomb County Sheriff Commander Jason Abro as Law Enforcement Supervisor of the Year.
Read MoreWith his 35 years in business, law, finance, and public affairs, Michael G. Sarafa has been named Counsel for Butzel. Helping clients navigate issues in the governmental sector as well as in the realm of outside counsel services, Michael has achieved an enviable reputation in legal and political circles in Michigan as a knowledgeable and trusted legal advisor.
Read MoreThe local PBS affiliate, Detroit Public TV (DPTV) has hired Omar Hakim as its new executive director of education. In his new role, Hakim will lead the day-to-day management and strategy of the education team, which includes DPTV’s work with parents and early childhood educators in the city of Detroit.
Read MoreJavon R. David, an attorney at Butzel, has been named as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Influential Women of Law” for 2023. The awards program, previously known as “Women in the Law,” honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system, helping clients, commitment to their communities, and service to the profession.
Read MoreDr. Abro has five degrees and certifications from five different countries: a bachelor’s degree from Baghdad University; a master’s degree from the United Nations Institute in Kuwait; a master’s from University of Wales in the UK; and a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. He also has a Master Black Belt certification in Six Sigma Engineering Quality from the US.
Read MoreSavvy Sliders’ founder and CEO Happy Asker started with a dream and a strong vision to reimagine what a slider should be. In 2018, he opened his first Savvy Sliders location in Commerce Township, Michigan. Today, Savvy Sliders has 35 locations in Metro Detroit with 30 more in development in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas. The growth of the company has made it the fastest growing slider brand in America.
Read MoreIt is with great appreciation for the living example of their parents that John (Class of ‘87), Jeff (Class of ‘89), and Chris (Class of ‘90) have made a magnanimous $500,000 gift to Brother Rice High School in honor of their parents, Mike and Nedal Denha. This is evidence of the commitment of the Denha Family to the community and their investment in the future of Brother Rice High School.
Read MoreThe Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has called on Disney to cancel its upcoming series about the life of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of the modern Turkish state, according to Greek Reporter. The ANCA accused Disney of glorifying a “dictator and genocide killer.” The series is scheduled for release on October 29 this year, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.
Read MoreIn May, a group of more than 20 Michigan judges of Arab and Chaldean descent got together for an inaugural meeting of the Arab-American Judges Association of Michigan (AAJAM). The AAJAM is the result of an effort to bring together judges of Arab American and Chaldean ancestry, according to founders of the organization. Its mission is to promote diverse judicial leadership and foster social, professional, and personal development among members.
Read MoreChamber member Jennifer McManus of Fagan McManus PC in Royal Oak was sworn in as president-elect of the Michigan Association for Justice (a statewide pro-justice trial lawyer organization) on May 6, 2023. McManus is a tireless supporter of the underdog and a champion of justice and fair play in the courtroom. She has previously served on the board of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and is part of the Chaldean Women’s Committee.
Read MoreThree outstanding Chaldean community members made the “30 in their Thirties” list for dBusiness magazine this year.
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The Chaldean Community Foundation was awarded a $10,000 grant through the Comcast Foundation. This funding will support individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their caregivers with the digital tools and resources to feel comfortable with technology and learn basic digital literacy skills. The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) is a place where employees speak various languages, staff have lived similar immigration experiences, and clients can build a foundation based on education, mutual reliance, and employment.
Read MoreAt 20 years and 4 months, she may be the youngest graduate at Grand Valley State University. Before entering college Sierra Gulli graduated from high school (during the pandemic) Summa Cum Laude (“with highest honor”). She also received an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Awarded a National Academy of Future Physicians Award of Excellence and the GVSU Award for Excellence, Sierra studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica during the summer of 2022 and completed a comprehensive comparison of the healthcare systems in Costa Rica and the US. She was the founder of Mu Epsilon Delta and the president of the Arab Culture Club.
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The First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Online Film Festival is proud to present The Great American Family, a documentary that sheds light on the injustices of the American criminal justice system. Directed, written, and produced by Weam Namou, this film tells the story of Dawn Hanna, who was sentenced to six years in federal prison for having conspired to send telecom equipment to Iraq during the sanctions.
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