Detroit restaurateur and developer Zaid Elia is making a bold play in one of America’s fastest-growing cities. Through his Michigan-based company, Elia Group, Elia has emerged as one of Nashville’s most ambitious hospitality developers, bringing a distinctly Detroit—and Chaldean—entrepreneurial spirit to the heart of Tennessee’s booming entertainment district. Drawn by Nashville’s explosive growth in population, jobs, and income, Elia saw an opportunity to establish a presence in a city increasingly viewed as one of the country’s most dynamic business and tourism markets.
Read MoreChaldeans began arriving to Australia in significant numbers during the 1990s, driven by war, persecution, and the gradual unraveling of life in Iraq. The population grew quickly, and by the 2021 Australian Census, more than 60,000 people identified with Neo-Aramaic origins, settling primarily in Sydney and Melbourne.
Read MoreEver since I was a little girl, one of the final lines in my evening prayers has been, “Thank You for making me an American.” Even then, small and sheltered as I was, I sensed there was something special about this country. (I also thanked God for making me female, but that’s a topic for another day.)
Read MoreSoccer in Iraq is a unifying cultural force governed by the Iraq Football Association, which was founded in 1948 and joined FIFA in 1950. Known as the “Lions of Mesopotamia,” the national team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice (Mexico 1986 and the expanded 2026 tournament) and famously won the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
Read MoreFormer Michigan Chaldean soccer clubs, players, and Iraqi-Chaldean soccer fans are invited to a special 2026 FIFA World Cup Game Watch Party celebrating Iraq’s matchup against France. The event will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026, beginning with a reception and program at 3:00 p.m., followed by kickoff festivities at 5:00 p.m. The gathering will take place at the Chaldean Community Foundation – West, located at 2075 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield (Main Street).
Read MoreSummertime always feels like the season of fun and adventure. As children, we wait for the end of the school year and impatiently look forward to days spent playing outside, swimming, and enjoying homework-free fun. As adults, many of us are simply looking forward to a break from the cold, relentless Michigan winters. Summer also brings time off work, family reunions, and, best of all—vacations.
Read MoreJune is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to encouraging honest conversations about emotional well-being, addiction, depression, anxiety, and the silent struggles many men face behind closed doors. For generations, men have often been taught to suppress pain rather than confront it, leaving many to cope in unhealthy ways. In the Chaldean community and beyond, the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction can make asking for help even more difficult.
Read MoreThe Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce PAC has steadily expanded its role in local civic life in recent months, positioning itself as a growing voice for increased transparency, accountability, and resident participation in township decision-making across West Bloomfield.
Read MoreLewis Yaldo, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and beloved uncle, passed away on November 1, 2025. Born in 1928, he overcame early family hardships to build a successful plumbing and import business with his brother and cousins. Lewis was cherished for his toughness, generosity, and storytelling, leaving a lasting legacy with his family and the Chaldean community. He is survived by his wife Juliet, children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Read MoreBeginning in 2026, the month of May will officially be recognized as Chaldean American Month across Michigan, marking a historic acknowledgment of the cultural, economic, and civic contributions of Chaldean Americans throughout the state. The announcement came during a defining moment for the community.
Read MoreWhen I was in third grade, my teacher didn’t believe I was Chaldean or that my parents were Iraqi. She told me to ask them again and let her know the next day. When I went home and told my dad, he was miffed—but also understood that she may have had a different frame of reference when it came to people from the Middle East.
Read MoreAcross Michigan, green historical markers line roadsides, neighborhoods, and public spaces. They are quiet but powerful reminders of the people and places that shaped the state. Each one represents more than a moment in history; it reflects a deliberate, research-driven effort to ensure that Michigan’s diverse stories are recognized, preserved, and made visible to the public.
Read MoreOn Friday, Apr. 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Oakland University hosted the graduation ceremony for the Chaldean Language Workshop in The Habitat at the Oakland Center. Thirteen students completed the introductory and intermediate levels of Chaldean, receiving certificates of completion. This marked an achievement that was both academic and deeply cultural.
Read MoreThe new Chaldean Community Foundation building in West Bloomfield has begun welcoming community members through its doors. Using a series of thoughtfully curated programs and social gatherings aimed at introducing the public to its services, CCF West is strengthening communal bonds and encouraging meaningful engagement with its modern, multipurpose facility.
Read MoreCulture is one of the many things that we can all relate to and find community in. No matter what country or ethnicity, we are all able to celebrate where we come from in our own unique ways. One way that many cultures celebrate their heritage is with food.
Read MoreIn a historic match that ended late March 31, 2026, in Monterrey, Mexico, Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 to qualify for the World Cup. With the late kickoff, the Lions of Mesopotamia officially secured their first spot since 1986, as the calendar turned to April 1 in both Michigan and Baghdad.
Read MoreDetroit’s creative pulse has always been defined by reinvention—and right now, it’s beating a little louder with the rise of Juliana Rabban. Known professionally as Just By Juliana, the 24-year-old Chaldean American artist is stepping into one of the city’s brightest spotlights yet: a high-profile collaboration with the Detroit Pistons as part of their annual 313 Day campaign, curated this year by Big Sean.
Read MoreIn the shadows of the Cold War, when global superpowers competed not only through armies but through intelligence and technology, one man of Chaldean/Assyrian ancestry made a decision that would alter the balance of power in the Middle East—and leave a lasting mark on history. His story later inspired the 1988 HBO film Steal the Sky. My wife came across it while reading about Israeli spy Eli Cohen, a story I had not previously encountered.
Read MoreMany of you may remember when I first joined the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce as an event coordinator in 2018; it was an incredible introduction to the community. As I learned more about the culture, history, and resilience of the Chaldean people, I found myself deeply inspired. By the time I began writing for the Chaldean News in 2020, that admiration had grown exponentially.
Read MoreIt is often said that “the library is the community; the community is the library.” Libraries are trusted spaces where people of all backgrounds can connect, learn, and build a shared future. They serve as safe, neutral environments outside of home and work, where everyone is welcome regardless of socioeconomic status.
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