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.

On May 2, 2025, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark a major milestone in our community’s story. The Chaldean Community Foundation officially unveiled its new campus in West Bloomfield—known as CCF West—a space that builds on the Foundation’s mission with a renewed focus on cultural preservation and community growth.

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.

The vibrant artistry of the Chaldean-American community will be on full display this summer as the Perspectives 3 exhibition opens at Southfield City Hall. Featuring the work of eight Michigan-based Chaldean-American artists, the exhibit is a tribute to cultural identity, creative expression, and the power of visual storytelling.

Media personalities, known for their work in television, radio or online platforms, often use their names, programs and chosen topics to connect with audiences, building strong personal brands and influence. One such figure is Kamal Yaldo, the presenter of Spotlight on Iraq.

On May 9, 2025, the third annual Alqosh Old Market Festival took place under the patronage of the Parish of Mar Gewargis Church. The event drew wide participation from local residents as well as members of the diaspora who returned from abroad to celebrate their cultural roots.

قلعة‭ ‬أربيل‭ ‬هي‭ ‬قلعة‭ ‬وحصن‭ ‬أثري‭ ‬تقع‭ ‬فوق‭ ‬تل‭ ‬في‭ ‬مركز‭ ‬مدينة‭ ‬أربيل‭ ‬في‭ ‬كردستان‭ ‬العراق‭ ‬وهي‭ ‬بمثابة‭ ‬مركز‭ ‬مدينة‭ ‬أربيل‭ ‬التاريخي‭ ‬وأُدرجت‭ ‬القلعة‭ ‬على‭ ‬قائمة‭ ‬التراث‭ ‬العالمي‭ ‬منذ‭ ‬21‭ ‬يونيو‭ ‬2014

من‭ ‬منا‭ ‬لم‭ ‬يستمع‭ ‬الى‭ ‬او‭ ‬يشاهد‭ ‬الإعلامي‭ ‬العراقي‭ ‬الأصيل‭ ‬والبغدادي‭ ‬العتيق‭ ‬مُعد‭ ‬ومقدم‭ ‬برنامج‭ ‬أضواء‭ ‬على‭ ‬العراق‭ (‬كمال‭ ‬يلدو‭)‬؟‭ ‬وقليل‭ ‬منا‭ ‬قد‭ ‬يصادف‭ ‬في‭ ‬مسيرة‭ ‬حياته‭ ‬بغداديا‭ ‬بتجذر‭ ‬وعمق‭ ‬الانتماءات‭ ‬لذكريات‭ ‬وطنه‭ ‬وعاصمته‭ ‬وأهله‭ ‬وصحبه‭ ‬ومحلته‭ ‬مثله،‭ ‬فهو‭ ‬يحمل‭ ‬للعراق‭ ‬محبة‭ ‬قل‭ ‬لها‭ ‬نظير‭ ‬وقناعات‭ ‬وطنية‭ ‬لا‭ ‬تقبل‭ ‬التغيير‭ ‬وكأي‭ ‬ذا‭ ‬فكر‭ ‬تقدمي‭ ‬نجدهُ‭ ‬صاحب‭ ‬رأي‭ ‬جدلي‭ ‬مثير‭ ‬يسير‭ ‬به‭ ‬ومعه‭ ‬وجنبه‭.‬

في‭ ‬التاسع‭ ‬من‭ ‬أيار‭ ‬2025،‭ ‬أُقيم‭ ‬مهرجان‭ ‬سوق‭ ‬ألقوش‭ ‬القديم‭ ‬في‭ ‬نسخته‭ ‬الثالثة،‭ ‬برعاية‭ ‬خورنة‭ ‬كنيسة‭ ‬مار‭ ‬كوركيس،‭ ‬وبمشاركة‭ ‬واسعة‭ ‬من‭ ‬أبناء‭ ‬البلدة‭ ‬والمغتربين‭ ‬العائدين‭ ‬من‭ ‬الخارج‭. ‬استُهِلَّ‭ ‬المهرجان‭ ‬بكلمات‭ ‬ترحيبية‭ ‬مؤثرة‭ ‬ألقاها‭ ‬سيادة‭ ‬المطران‭ ‬ثابت‭ ‬بولص‭ ‬مكو‭ ‬والأب‭ ‬رودي‭ ‬صفّار،‭ ‬مؤكدَين‭ ‬أهمية‭ ‬إحياء‭ ‬التراث‭ ‬والحفاظ‭ ‬على‭ ‬الهوية‭ ‬الثقافية‭ ‬لألقوش‭ ‬والمنطقة‭.‬

عند‭ ‬زيارة‭ ‬مؤسسة‭ ‬الجالية‭ ‬الكلدانية‭ ‬تتصدر‭ ‬جدران‭ ‬البناية‭ ‬وترحب‭ ‬بكم‭ ‬لوحات‭ ‬فنية‭ ‬ورسوم‭ ‬بابلية‭ ‬وأخرى‭ ‬اكدية‭ ‬وسومرية‭ ‬مثل‭ ‬أسد‭ ‬بابل‭ ‬وشجرة‭ ‬الحياة‭ ‬وبوابة‭ ‬عشتار‭ ‬وأوائل‭ ‬المفكرين‭ ‬والمؤثرين‭ ‬والأقدمين‭ ‬لتُذكر‭ ‬الزوار‭ ‬بجذورنا‭ ‬التأريخية‭ ‬وتعكس‭ ‬مدى‭ ‬وعمق‭ ‬عمرنا‭ ‬الحضاري‭ ‬واعتزازنا‭ ‬بأصولنا‭ ‬التراثية‭ ‬رغم‭ ‬بعدنا‭ ‬الجغرافي‭ ‬عن‭ ‬جذورنا‭ ‬في‭ ‬بلاد‭ ‬الرافدين،‭ ‬ومن‭ ‬ضمن‭ ‬هذه‭ ‬المعالم‭ ‬الفنية‭ ‬يقف‭ ‬شامخاً‭ ‬التنين‭ ‬البابلي‭ ‬سيروش‭ (‬موسوشو‭ ‬او‭ ‬موشوخوشو‭) ‬الذي‭ ‬هو‭ ‬بطل‭ ‬مقالتنا‭ ‬هذه‭ ‬لمكانته‭ ‬في‭ ‬اساطير‭ ‬بلاد‭ ‬الرافدين‭ ‬والفولكلور‭ ‬المحلي‭ ‬والكلمات‭ ‬المحكية‭ ‬الخاصة‭ ‬بالعراقيين‭ ‬فقط‭ ‬كمثل‭ (‬مو،‭ ‬وخوش،‭ ‬وموخوش‭).‬

State Rep. Tom Kuhn (R-Troy) testified before the House Government Operations Committee on behalf of his bill to name the month of May as “Chaldean American Month” in Michigan. “This is a well-earned and long-overdue recognition,” said Kuhn. “Chaldean Americans are a cornerstone of Michigan’s cultural, economic, and civic life, especially in Southeast Michigan.

Northern Hotels Group, LLC has been recognized by Hilton for their new hotel, the Hampton Inn St. Ignace Lakefront Mackinac. The hotel and the company are recipients of Hilton’s 2024 Americas Development Awards, which celebrate the “passion, creativity, and innovative spirit” of the hotel owners, development partners and teams.

Founded in 1988 by Richie Abbo and with the recent addition of his son Cal, Elite Parking Solutions has grown its valet service business to hundreds of clients in the restaurant, country club, home party, and banquet space, with 120 employees in season. Revenue in 2024 was approximately $790,000.

The Detroit Public Safety Foundation (DPSF) will host its 12th annual Women in Blue celebration on Thursday, May 22, at MGM Grand Detroit, spotlighting the outstanding contributions of female first responders in the Detroit Police and Fire Departments.

The Chaldean Community Foundation launched its 2025 Academic Scholarship Program on June 2, 2025. With anticipated scholarship awards reaching nearly $85,000 this year, several endowment and family funds will be contributing directly toward Chaldean students’ education.

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) was the recipient of a 2025 Macomb Business Award in the Nonprofit of the Year category presented by Advancing Macomb and Macomb County Planning and Economic Development on May 15. The Macomb Business Awards honor outstanding organizations throughout the county’s 27 communities.

Nearly 150 prospective job seekers attended the CCF’s Spring Community Job Fair on Wednesday, May 7. Job seekers had the opportunity to connect with employers, including Chick-Fil-A, Corewell Health, Macomb Community College, Michigan State Police, Oakland University and more.

The Chaldean Community Foundation attended multiple events throughout the Metro Detroit community in May. Events included Havel Elementary School’s Day of Culture, Disability Law Group’s Resource Fair, and providing cultural awareness training for Corewell Health staff.