noteworthy Mayflower
noteworthy Mayflower Fund Sets Sail for Entrepreneurs Six successful businessmen are paying it forward by launching a business incubator program to aid young entrepreneurs. Saber Ammori, the CEO of Wireless Vision, is the program’s managing director and other founders are Johnny Kello, CEO of Match Rx; Mark Denha, CFO at Wireless Vision; Kevin Denha, Wireless’ chief real estate officer; Mike Sarafa, president of the Bank of Michigan; and Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Sarafa and Manna are also co-publishers of the Chaldean News. “A lot of our young entrepreneurs are starting to venture out into other businesses, not just retail,” said Ammori. “We want to really help them build the infrastructure for their business – help them build up their concept and then go to market with it.” The idea was spurred more than a year ago by a visit to Tech Town, the Detroit non-profit that helps entrepreneurs by providing incubation and acceleration resources. “We started thinking about how we could build something like this for our Chaldean community,” Ammori said. “Starting a business for us is natural.” The men named their project the Mayflower Fund — in honor of the ship that carried pilgrims from England in 1620 — based on the suggestion of an executive at Tech Town. “He said, ‘people left their old country to come to the new world for a new life, like you did,’” Ammori said. “Tech Town has been very helpful and generous with information and ultimately we will partner with them or other local business incubators,” he added. Mayflower hopes to help three or four startups at a time. Besides intensive mentoring, the program will provide angel seed funding. “We have all contributed capital to get this started and would like to bring on other capital from others,” Ammori said. “I don’t think young entrepreneurs realize all the capital they will need. That’s where we can help them.” Ammori said he and his partners have a lot to offer to the younger generation. “We’ve been through it all – started, grown and sold companies,” he said. “We are a very wellbalanced team and will bring on outside experts in certain fields who want to help.” The partners are open to all ideas but are especially interested in Internet-based business and social media, he said. To get started, Mayflower has announced the Next Great Idea Competition. The winner receives at least six months of free office space, business mentoring, hands-on consulting and up to ,000 in equity funding. Ammori encourages all entrepreneurs to enter. “You may not win but you could be selected to be part of our incubation program,” he said. The deadline for entries is January 31 and the winner will be announced in March. Visit MayflowerFund.org for details. Team Player Jordan Rabban, a strong safety on the Brother Rice High School football team, was named Maxpreps Player of the Week for a career high of 15 tackles in a game against Southfield that clinched the Regional Championship. The senior is the son of Jimmy and Karrie Rabban. Brother Rice defeated Lowell on November 25 at Ford Field to win the Division 2 State Championship 24-14. D’Agostini Honored Diane Dickow D’Agostini was among 12 people receiving an award for assisting in the fight against domestic violence. She’s pictured here with Circuit Court Judge Lisa Gorcyca, who nominated her. The awards were presented by the Oakland County Coordinating Council Against Domestic Violence at the Oakland County Commissioner’s Auditorium in Pontiac on November 2. D’Agostini is chief justice of the 48th District Court. “Your efforts exemplify a standard of excellence and compassion that we all aspire to,” said Tricia R. Dare, co-chair of the council, in a letter to D’Agostini. “Without your efforts, many victims would continue to feel helpless and alone.” CCC Seeks Donors The Chaldean Cultural Center has created a new ,000 level for its Donor Wall. Those who donate at the ,000 level will have their name permanently etched on a glass panel that will be on display as part of the Donor Wall. Those who contribute ,000, ,000, ,000 and ,000 will have an individual stone plaque. The non-profit CCC, housed in Shenandoah Country Club, will have five galleries exploring Chaldean life in Iraq and America. Donations are taxdeductable and can be mailed to 5600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323-2370. Call Mary Romaya at (248) 681-5050 for more information. Please Pass the Envelope The annual 20 for 20 Envelope drive is underway for the holiday season. The idea is to pass around a special envelope and get 20 people to insert at least each to benefit the Adopt- A-Refugee Family program. Three filled envelopes totals ,200 – enough to care for one refugee family for an entire year. All donations are tax deductible. To receive an envelope or make a donation, call (248) 406-2052. Donna Sacs Turns 35 Chaldean-owned Donna Sacs stores is celebrating its 35th anniversary. The company was established in 1976 by Emanuel and Zuhair Mansour. Emanuel’s sons Marvin, Steve and John Mansour all work for the company. Donna Sacs includes five stores in Southeastern Michigan – Fairlane Mall, Northland Mall, Eastland Mall, Oakland Mall and its newest, an outlet store at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills. The stores offer leathers, furs, outerwear jackets and unique handbags. Visit DonnaSacs.com. Program Targets Teenage Girls True Beauty Revealed, a program for high school girls, begins in January. The program is presented by ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Parish in Plymouth. It includes two sessions that include scripture, catechetical knowledge and practical tips for girls to apply the Church’s teachings in their daily lives. The sessions take place from 10 a.m.- noon at the church. The fee is . Sessions take place January 14 and 28; February 4 and 18; March 3 and 17; and April 21 and May 19 (the latter two comprise only one session). Learn more by calling Mary Guilfoyle at (313) 820-7883 or Mary Lockwood at (734) 395-0677. People Sandra K. Alexander Channelle Kizy-White Dbusiness Magazine has named Sandra K. Alexander, Esq. as a 2012 Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit. She has 10 years of legal experience in commercial litigation, business and real estate transactions, corporate formation and growth, probate administration and estate planning. Alexander is a 2001 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School and was previously named as a 2010 Rising Star by Super Lawyers. Channelle Kizy-White of Channelle Kizy, PLLC has been named an Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. All 20 honorees have practiced law for 10 years or less and will be feted at a luncheon on December 8 at the Detroit Marriott Troy. Correction Due to a production error, Chaldean Idol contestant Danielle Bahoora’s picture was omitted from the November issue. Here’s the third-place winner. 18 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2011
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