More than 100 attendees from West Bloomfield—city employees and business owners—gathered for Breakfast with a Champion on January 22, hosted by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) at its West Bloomfield facility.
Read MoreMarian High School marked a significant milestone late last year with the official opening of its new Wanink Art Wing and Fisher Family Science Wing, a major step forward in the school’s long-term campus improvement plan. The ribbon cutting, held October 28, celebrated the completion of Phase One of a multi-year renovation campaign aimed at enhancing both academic rigor and creative exploration for students.
Read MoreFrom launching fast-casual restaurant concepts to building international retail and entertainment platforms, Saad Nadhir has spent a career transforming bold ideas into enduring enterprises. In 2026, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce will honor Nadhir as its Businessperson of the Year, recognizing not only his corporate achievements but also his longstanding commitment to mentorship and community leadership.
Read MoreVolunteering takes many forms — from strengthening families and supporting engaged couples to empowering middle school girls. Often unseen and unpaid, volunteers are the behind-the-scenes heroes who hold a community together. Here are three stories of priceless service making a lasting impact within the Chaldean community.
Read MoreArtificial intelligence is no longer a concept of the future. Most businesses already rely on it in some form—through accounting software, inventory systems, customer service platforms, or data analytics. These tools help companies move faster, process information efficiently, and make decisions with greater confidence. As AI becomes embedded in everyday business operations, it is also beginning to influence the legal services that businesses rely on.
Read MoreIn many Chaldean homes, the kitchen is more than a place to cook. It is where family gathers, traditions are preserved, and creativity quietly takes shape. For Rasha Shaffou and her daughter Annabel, that familiar space became the foundation for La Fleur Cupcakes, a home-based business that transforms cupcakes into intricate floral bouquets and everyday moments into meaningful memories.
Read MorePoetry has long stood at the heart of Arabic culture. For its earliest speakers, it was the primary means of recording belief systems, oral history and philosophy. Originating on the Arabian Peninsula more than 1,500 years ago—well before the rise of Islam—Arabic poetry has since become a global art form.
Read MoreRepublican President Donald Trump is returning to Michigan on Tuesday to speak at the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit. The event will be held at 2 p.m. at the MotorCity Casino Sound Board theatre and is limited to club members and their guests. This marks Trump’s third appearance before the Detroit Economic Club and his first visit to Michigan in 2026. His speech will coincide with the start of the Detroit Auto Show. It’s not yet clear whether he’ll make any other stops in the state. Trump has frequently visited Michigan for campaign events and presidential visits in recent years.
Read MoreOn December 11, CCF West celebrated Chaldean Cultural Night featuring artist Reni Stephan and Fr. Patrick Setto. Both Stephan and Setto shared powerful reflections on art, faith, and the spiritual guidance that inspires creativity. Their stories highlighted the deep connection between culture, religion, and the artistic journey.
Read MoreCCF President Martin Manna had a meeting with the Board of Trustees of the American University of Iraq–Baghdad to discuss key priorities supporting the university’s continued growth and success.
Read MoreOn December 15, CCF West hosted 20 kids, ages 8–15, for a fun, hands-on experience decorating their own holiday cookies. With pre-measured dough, festive cookie cutters, frosting, sprinkles, and candy decorations, the kids let their creativity shine. After baking and decorating, each participant boxed up their cookies to take home.
Read MoreWhen Dawn (Shaouni) Pullis’s stomach pains were too much to bear, she went to the doctor and was surprised by a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She was 21. The examination was caught in its early stage, so she had an oophorectomy, the surgical removal of both her ovaries, and did not require chemotherapy or radiation. It took eight weeks to recover, but years to find a life partner who would accept her as an infertile wife.
Read MoreStephen Hannawi is a man with a mission. It all started when he was 8 years old in Tel Kepe, where he and his older brother served in church—attending Vespers, daily prayers, and the rosary. In Iraq, Vespers was celebrated in the Chaldean language; Stephen started to learn the language so that he could participate in the liturgy. “I love the language because it was the language of Jesus Christ,” Stephen explains. He was seriously considering entering the priesthood.
Read MoreThe Chaldean Community Foundation hosted a cultural evening at its West Bloomfield location on Thursday, December 11, titled “Art and Music.” Father Patrick Setto and visual artist Reni Stephan were the guests of honor. The event drew a large crowd of community members who enjoyed an evening celebrating art, music, culture and history.
Read MoreFor most students, attending college is a moment to strike out on their own, the start of a solo journey of discovery and growth. But for Sarah, Samantha and Sebastian Jarbou—a trio of siblings enrolled at the University of Michigan-Flint—higher education is a shared adventure filled with mutual support, friendly mix-ups and a deep commitment to giving back.
Read MoreManresa Jesuit Retreat House is a retreat center in Bloomfield Hills. It is situated on 39 beautiful acres of forest, gardens and a stream with outdoor Stations of the Cross and many places for quiet prayer and contemplation. Thousands of people visit Manresa each year to experience God in new ways through their retreats, programs, classes and spiritual direction, many of whom leave with a life-giving encounter with the Sacred.
Read MoreThe 4th Annual Beth Nahrain Writers Conference was held November 8, 2025, in a virtual format, celebrating books and achievements by Chaldean authors and speakers. Previously hosted at Oakland University, the Chaldean Cultural Center and the Chaldean Community Foundation, the 2025 conference moved online to better serve its expanding global audience of writers and participants exploring Mesopotamian history and culture.
Read MoreOne of the most common New Year’s resolutions is saving money. In today’s uncertain economy, making smart financial decisions is more important than ever. Building a solid savings cushion, maintaining a diversified investment portfolio, and following a consistent budget are proven ways to achieve financial stability.
Read MoreOn December 18, CCF West hosted a Cooking Chaldean - Pacha Edition. The hands-on class led by Natasha Dallo provided a step-by-step process on how to prepare pacha from cleaning to sewing and stuffing, just in time for the holidays.
Read MoreJanuary invites both reflection and renewal—a moment to honor where we come from while setting intentions for the year ahead. As we welcome the first issue of the new year, this edition reflects the strength, resilience and evolving identity of the Chaldean community, told through stories of faith, culture, education and perseverance. Together, these narratives capture both the challenges faced and the hope that continues to guide the community forward.
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