The roots of the Chaldean American community in Michigan stretch back nearly a century, to a small but determined group of Iraqi immigrants who gathered in April 1943 at the Danish Hall of Detroit. Their mission: to create a better life for their families and preserve their culture in a new land.

In the heart of West Bloomfield, a new culinary space is bridging generations, cultures, and flavors. Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen, a demonstration kitchen at the Chaldean Community Foundation West, stands as a tribute to the late Bernadette Sarafa, mother of Anmar and Haithem Sarafa, prominent community leaders and philanthropists.

Protocol. That became our catchphrase during our trip to Iraq in the fall of 2023—sometimes used in jest, sometimes in earnest. In Iraq, “protocol” carries far more weight than the relatively informal customs of the more egalitarian West. There, it’s a profession. Every ministry, embassy, and consulate general office has a full department of protocol staff.

Each June, Immigrant Heritage Month offers a time to recognize and celebrate the millions of immigrants who have shaped—and continue to enrich—the American story. It’s a moment to honor the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and journeys that define the soul of the United States.