Raymond Jonna just made a big splash in Michigan’s real estate world, helping close the record-breaking $156 million sale of Huntington Tower in downtown Detroit—the largest private single-tenant net-leased deal in the state’s history. Acting as the sole broker for both buyer and seller, Jonna handled a complex, high-stakes deal with skill and precision.
Read MoreFor anyone who knew Nuha Arabo, one thing was immediately clear: she had a presence that could light up any room. Her smile was constant, her laughter contagious, and her warmth made people feel instantly at ease. Whether surrounded by family or greeting someone for the first time, Nuha had a natural kindness that left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Read MoreNicholas, better known as Nini, made life louder, funnier, and more interesting. His heart was huge, and anyone lucky enough to know him always felt that. Nini was notorious for chasing adventure and making all of our adventures that much better. Nini was the fearless one, the adventurous one, and the witty one who always had the perfect comebacks. He was the best arguer to do it. I know, because we argued a lot… and he always won.
Read MoreWhen you think of essential businesses in Metro Detroit, ice might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for Tyler Yaldo, an environmental entrepreneur with deep roots in the Chaldean business community, it’s the perfect opportunity. Alongside his partners—Matthew and Brian Loussia, Devon Lousia, and Dennis Hickey of Value Wholesale, Yaldo’s father Ray and brother Gavin, plus Sahir Kas-Marogi and his sons Chris, Adam and Andrew—they are launching Motor City Ice, a new ice company designed to bring reliability, convenience, and innovation to local retailers, restaurants, and event spaces.
Read MoreNever doubt Logan Hamama. Ever. When he was a student-athlete at Birmingham Brother Rice High School, his work ethic, drive and determination earned the former part-time player the starting point guard job on the star-studded boys basketball team when he was a senior.
Read MoreApril is National Minority Health Month, highlighting the health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minority groups. By understanding the social determinants of health impacting Chaldeans, both physicians and patients can encourage preventive care and improve outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about a quarter have it under control.
Read MoreSaadi Al Saihood, an Iraqi businessman and prominent philanthropist, was born in Baghdad in 1954. A father of three sons and a daughter, his family hails from the province of Amara. He began his career humbly, selling newspapers at age 11 while attending school part-time and taking night classes. He also helped with his father’s laundromat business, which he named The White Robe, inspired by the film The Robe.
Read MoreTransitions are rarely easy. Letting go of what was and adjusting to what comes next is an internal process—one that requires navigating the journey, not just the change itself. For a Church and a community that have endured many transitions, the current moment is simply the latest chapter in a long and evolving story.
Read MoreApril invites us to slow down, listen more closely, and widen our understanding. As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, this issue is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: every story, every mind, and every path deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
Read MoreOn Thursday, March 12, 2026, an alert went out across West Bloomfield: active shooter in the area. Schools and organizations went immediately into lockdown—no one in or out. Those inside were told to shelter in place as police raced to potential targets. An attack was underway at Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, but it was unclear if the assailant acted alone.
Read MoreA local investment group led by Saber Ammori, Kevin Denha, and Andrew Dickow has acquired Buddy’s Pizza from private equity firm CapitalSpring, though the purchase price was not disclosed. The new owners—who say the brand holds personal significance—plan to strengthen customer experience, improve product quality, and expand Buddy’s presence nationally, particularly in the frozen pizza market. The deal, financed by First Merchants Bank with legal support from Varnum and Taft, comes after years of limited expansion outside metro Detroit and several recent store closures in west Michigan. Founded in 1946 and credited with creating Detroit-style pizza, Buddy’s remains a longstanding staple with multiple locations across Michigan.
Read MoreThe 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle took place Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at Larsa Palace in Warren, Michigan. Hosted by Bishop Francis Kalabat, the annual benefit supports the bishop’s office and provides vital funding for the diocese’s seminarians, priests and parishes.
Read MoreIn a quiet corner of the Chaldean Community Foundation in West Bloomfield (CCF West), something extraordinary is unfolding. The Mar Ibrahim Library is not simply housing books. It is awakening memory. It is stirring questions. It is forming students. And for the first time, it is opening the history of the Church of the East to the wider community in a structured, academic course once reserved primarily for seminarians.
Read MoreThis month’s issue explores a question that sits at the heart of every community story we tell: How do we carry the Chaldean story forward? Sometimes that question appears in big conversations, like immigration, where policies and legal definitions can shape real lives in lasting ways. When we talk about whether a misdemeanor should be grounds for removal, we are not just debating law. We are talking about families, second chances, and what fairness looks like in practice.
Read More“What part of illegal do you not understand?” That is a standard line I have heard from critics of legalization whenever undocumented immigrants are discussed. For some, that sentence seems to settle the matter — a complex immigration debate reduced to a single word, with no need for further discussion.
Read MoreFirst-floor medical and retail space is currently available at Tigris Tower. Spaces range from 1,500 to 9,000 square feet, with ground floor access and parking attached. Long-term lease opportunities are available. For more information about the spaces available, contact KJ Commercial Real Estate at (248) 851-8900.
Read MoreOn February 12, Chaldean Community Foundation West was visited by Saadi Saihood and a delegation from the American University of Iraq-Baghdad to explore the Foundation’s newest location in West Bloomfield. Mr. Saihood is the founder of the Raban Al-Safina Group, one of Iraq’s largest private industrial and engineering conglomerates, and the founder of the American University in Baghdad, the country’s largest private university.
Read MoreOn February 3, the Mar Ibrahim Library officially opened to the public, located inside CCF West at 2075 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield. Operated by the Chaldean Catholic Diocese, the Mar Ibrahim Library will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am - 4pm for study.
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Crain’s Business Detroit’s Best of Detroit contest celebrates the people, businesses, and organizations making a meaningful impact across the region. The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) has been nominated again this year, a testament to its continued commitment to serving individuals and families throughout metro Detroit.
Read MoreJavon David, a shareholder at Butzel, was recognized among Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Law for her work across commercial litigation, media and entertainment law, and products liability, where she advises businesses on complex matters ranging from contract disputes and shareholder oppression to trade secrets, real estate and automotive supplier issues.
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