Italian Food and Networking: AACC Celebrates Ciao's Grand Opening in Dearborn

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

June 29, 2011

AACC Business "After Hour" Mixer, celebrating Ciao's grand opening in Dearborn
AACC discusses export with Iraqi Parliament President who visited Detroit Sunday.
AACC discusses leadership training for immigrants to run for public office
Member spotlight in legal and education
Upcoming events: African Caribbean food and fashion

AACC Celebrates Ciao Return to the Dearborn Dinning Community

AACC Chairman Ahmad Chebbani and AACC Executive Director Fay Beydoun presented Ciao's owners with a plaque welcoming them to the Chamber

AACC Business "After Hours" Mixer Attracts 200 People

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Business "After Hour" Mixer, celebrating Ciao restaurant grand opening in Dearborn Monday, June 27, 2011.

Ciao closed two years after a fire ravaged the Italian restaurant. The owners moved the restaurant a few doors to the west and reopened it for business, offering delicious Italian dishes.

The Mixer attracted about 200 people, including AACC Board members, elected officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs and members of the American Arab Chamber. They enjoyed various Italian appetizers and dishes, a professional networking mix and an evening of music and entertainment.

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Business "After Hour" Mixers to give members the opportunity to network, exchange business cards and socialize. The Mixers are strictly networking events with no speakers. If your business is a member of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and is interested in hosting a Mixer, contact the Chamber at 313.945.1700

AACC leaders, Ciao's owner, Dearborn Mayor and the business community celebrated the grand opening of Ciao's restaurant in Dearborn Monday, June 27, 2011

AACC Discusses Export and Business Development with the Iraqi Parliament President

Front row: From right to left: Father Jacob Yasso, Iraqi Parliament President Osama Al-Nujaifi, Sam Yono and AACC Executive Director Fay Beydoun.

Second row: AACC Board Member Nafa Khalaf fourth from right.

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Fay Beydoun and AACC Board Member and Second Vice-Chair Nafa Khalaf discussed exporting from Michigan to the Middle East with the Iraqi Parliament president Osama Al-Nujaifi in Detroit Sunday, June 26, 2011.

Speaker Al-Nujaifi was in Michigan for two days as part of a visit to the United States. Sam Yono invited Speaker Al-Nujaifi to meet with the Iraqi community in Michigan and hosted a lunching for him at his restaurant, Rub BBQ, in Detroit.

The Chamber has been working diligently to increase export from Michigan to the Middle East, which is currently stands at $1.3 billion a year.

Iraq has embarked on more than $180 billion reconstruction projects to rebuild the country, including schools, roads, oil pipelines and housing.

Preparing Immigrants for Civic Leadership

Sayu Bhojwani, center, is the Funding Director of the New American Leaders Project

Training for immigrants who want to run for public office could be available to Arab-Americans in Michigan soon.

American Arab Chamber of Commerce leaders and representatives from community organizations discussed with Sayua Bhojawani preparing first- and-second generations immigrants to run for public office. Bhojawani is Funding Director of the New American Leaders Project (NALP).

The NALP recruits recognized individuals with a track of civil involvement and trains them in the key skills needed for leadership from the community to the capitol.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our community members to make a difference through civic engagement and leadership," said AACC Chairman Ahmad Chebbani.

The Chamber will work with various groups in the community to identify immigrants who want to run for public office to participate in the program. The first training could take place as early as September.

Education

kaplan

Kaplan Career Institute - Dearborn is an institution of higher education dedicated to providing quality programs that integrate curriculum with professional skill development, empowering students to achieve their lifelong personal and professional goals.

You could open the door to new opportunities with an education from Kaplan Career Institute, Dearborn campus. We strive to prepare our students for success in their chosen fields. Through career-focused programs, our experienced instructors offer skills and training that could help you reach for your career goals. With this training and experience, you could pursue opportunities in the competitive job market.

For more information, contact:

Adil Iqbal,

Director of Admissions

18440 Ford Road

Detroit, MI 48228

Tel: 313.425.4318

Fax: 313.583.0235

www.kaplan.com

Member Spotlight

Legal

"With offices based in metropolitan Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan, Foley Baron & Metzger PLLC serves as local, regional and national counsel in high-stakes civil litigation. FBM is a broad-service law firm with a strong focus on complex litigation, including products and commercial liability, environmental, and health care areas, as well as counseling on business matters.

Our clients are diverse in size and character. We represent individuals in their personal and business concerns, trusts and estates. Our corporate clients include publicly traded and multinational companies, and many start-up, medium-sized and non-profit businesses. FBM offers sophisticated, state-of-the-art capabilities for litigation support, legal research, document transmittal and trial document management and presentation."

For more information, please contact:

Adam A. Fadly, Esq.

Foley, Baron & Metzger, PLLC

Direct Line: (734) 742-1791

http://www.fbmlaw.com/

Upcoming Events

Join the African Caribbean Chamber of Commerce

with an "Evening Affair"

JULY 2, 2011 7:00pm -11:00 $20.00 per ticket

Virgil Carr Cultural Center

311 E. Grand River/Centre

Detroit, MI. 48226

Join the African-Caribbean Chamber for an evening of fun, African & Caribbean food, drinks, friends and a Fashion Show. Wear your African or Caribbean best.

The best dressed guest will receive a gift.

Vendors Tables (6 ft. 2 chairs) are available $30.00 (first come first served). Sorry no food vendors Tables must be paid by June 18, 2011

CONTACT: E. Kassa, 248 557-6701

also see Errol Service, Orthiea Barnes, Blair Thompson

Parking (behind Opera House)