Beginning 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.

When 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.

Across 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.

On 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.

The 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.

Culture 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.

In 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.

Detroit’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.

In 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.

There is a fear of the unknown—especially when it comes to raising children, and particularly when parents sense that something may be different. That is how Zena Agoubi felt when her oldest child, Owen, was not progressing past 18 months. At around two years old, she enrolled him in speech therapy because he was not really talking. The doctor suggested it could be a sign of autism and urged her to make an appointment quickly, given the long wait lists. Agoubi did just that—”just in case”—knowing her son would not get the help he needed if he did not have an official diagnosis.

Chaldean American physician and mother Dr. Mariam Shapera never set out to write children’s books—but her love of storytelling, combined with her experiences as a parent and physician, inspired her to create stories that celebrate the unique strengths of autistic children. Writing was always something she enjoyed, but her career first took her down a very different path. “As a teenager, I always loved writing fiction and poetry,” she says.

Imagine stepping into a place where you can do it all: explore the town center of ancient Babylon; touch the stele bearing Hammurabi’s Code of Laws; enter a sacred space and hear Aramaic spoken just as it was in the days of Christ; visit a Chaldean village in the Nineveh Plain in the early 20th century; travel to America and glimpse the New York skyline as early pioneers saw it from Ellis Island; feel the pride of standing inside a 1930s grocery store as a Chaldean entrepreneur builds his place in Detroit’s business community; and discover how Chaldeans today are expanding their professional horizons. How is all this possible? Welcome to the Chaldean Cultural Center and its Museum.

Chaldean Community Foundation West held a luncheon on April 9 in partnership with Shenandoah Country Club, graciously sponsored by Raad Kathawa and Jacob Bacall. It took place in Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen.

The Chaldean Community Foundation scholarship application will be launching on June 1. Students will have until Monday, July 6 , 2026 at 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time to apply. The CCF will be providing nearly $150,000 in scholarships this year to Chaldean students.  Scholarship information is on the CCF’s website: www.chaldeanfoundation.org/scholarships.

On March 21, 18 middle school students from across Macomb and Oakland County participated in a National Civics Bee Regional Competition held at the Chaldean Community Foundation in Sterling Heights. The National Civics Bee® is an annual, nonpartisan competition designed to inspire young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Students in grades 6-8 entered by submitting an essay showcasing their civic knowledge.

Supported by the Marvin Toma Memorial Fund, a 6-week youth basketball program for 9- and 10-year-olds was held in the CCF West gymnasium last month. The program taught the group about the fundamentals of basketball, including passing, shooting, dribbling, and more. More youth sports programming is on the way at CCF West. For more information, contact Farah Shammami at (248) 851-1200 or email farah.shammami@chaldeanfoundation.org.

Jonny “Magic”  Mansour continued his rise in the professional ranks on April 19 with a dominant eight-round unanimous decision. The fighter from California controlled the bout from the opening round with sharp hand speed and clean combinations. The performance added another chapter to Mansour’s growing profile both inside and outside the ring.

Pattah Development has acquired Shanty Creek Resort, marking a major milestone for both the company and the Chaldean community. The investment underscores the Pattah family’s commitment to growth, stewardship, and community impact, while highlighting the broader success of Chaldean Americans rooted in resilience and entrepreneurship.

Detroit’s creative scene is gaining fresh momentum with Chaldean American artist Juliana Rabban, known as Just By Juliana, stepping into a major spotlight through a high-profile collaboration with Big Sean and the Detroit Pistons. Rabban is among a select group of artists featured in the team’s annual 313 Day initiative, a March celebration of Detroit’s iconic area code.

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.