Founder & Chairman Ambassador Yousif Ghafari of Ghafari Associates (C) receives the Community Leadership Award. He is considered one of the area’s most active philanthropists.

DETROIT — The Arab American and Chaldean Council has become a community institution, and its annual Civic & Humanitarian Awards Gala has taken on a life of its own as a tradition highlighting the leaders who best embody the organization’s mission of serving those in need. 

The 32nd gala was held on Friday, Sep. 30 at the Renaissance Center with the theme “Education-The Road to Success” at the forefront. 

Among those directly involved in the education field, Marsha Pando, the superintendent of Lamphere Schools in Madison Heights, and Roy Roberts, the emergency financial manager of Detroit Public Schools, were honored with Excellence in Education awards. 

Pando’s district has seen a large increase in refugees, which it has helped through the support of the ACC.

“Many of them arrive not speaking or understanding any English at all, or they’re refugees having experienced war and things no one has had to experience,” Pando said as she humbly accepted the award and thanked her staff and the ACC, including President and CEO Dr. Haifa Fakhoury. 

The ACC has helped them provide translation services, clothing, food, courses on handling peer pressure and more. 

Keynote speaker Mark L. Reuss, President of GM North America (C), with ACC President & CEO Haifa Fakhouri and Chairman of the Board Abe Munfakh after Reuss received gift basket.  Photos courtesy of ACC

“Because of the efforts of the staff and the cooperation of organizations such as the ACC, they can become successful academically and in life.

“We’ve helped the community in positive ways with each and I know the ACC is making a positive difference in the lives of children and we really appreciate that.”

Roberts was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder in May 2011 and tasked with overhauling a failing school system faced with an enormous budget deficit. He spoke about the importance of setting high standards including the goal of having 100% of graduates college or career ready. 

In addition to helping education specialists like Pando help kids, the ACC has also continued to make a big difference in the lives of adults from many different backgrounds throughout metro Detroit, especially at its offices in Detroit at the Seven Mile Project. The area features a variety of different centers with programs focusing on mental health, language and job services, and more. 

The organization also celebrated recent accomplishments such as the opening of a new WIC office in River Rouge, the expansion of its Work First jobs training program, the expansion of its Refugee Service Programs, the near-doubling of college scholarships this year, and more. 

ACC Chairman of the Board Abe Munfakh thanked his fellow board members and said he was particularly excited about the scholarship additions.

“At ACC, no promises go without fulfillment. This is our 32nd year of continued dedication to the community and we’re proud to show growth in education and learning throughout the entire southeast Michigan community…I’m most proud about our ability to increase our scholarships thanks to your generous support.” 

Paul W. Smith, a popular WWJ radio personality and Lebanese American, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, introducing awardees and setting the tone for the night. 

Director of Community Development for Ford Motor Co. Pamela Alexander accepts the Community Service Award from Munfakh and Fakhouri at the Renaissance Center in Detroit.

Mark L. Reuss, the president of General Motors North America, served as the keynote speaker for the event. Reuss highlighted GM’s ongoing five-year commitment through a $27.1 million donation to United Way to transform Detroit-area schools. It is the largest single donation in the GM Foundation’s 34-year history. He spoke about the need for unity among politicians and civil servants and organizations while speaking highly of the ACC’s work. 

“To serve 80,000 people through 40 centers is an unbelievable advantage for southeast Michigan and the Arab American and Chaldean community,” he said. 

Director of Community Development Pamela Alexander of Ford Motor Company was honored with the Community Service Award on the evening. Alexander has funded development and outreach initiatives in the Arab American and other communities. 

Congressman Gary Peters of Oakland County, a Democrat from the 9th District, won the Government Leadership Award for his efforts to help fight for the survival of Chrysler and General Motors and to provide tax cuts for middle class families while helping to block Congress receiving a pay raise at a time when their approval ratings continue to languish. 

The State Leadership Award went to Senator Randy Richardville, the Majority Leader of the Michigan State Senate. Richardville has been active with Habitat for Humanity and many education foundations and organizations.

Ambassador Yousif Ghafari, founder & chairman of Ghafari Associates, an organization of architects, engineers and consultants, won the Community Leadership Award on the evening. Ghafari is considered one of Detroit’s leading philanthropists, winning several awards locally, and has a residence building named after him at Wayne State University. 

The Philanthropy Award went to Mike Fezzey, the president of Huntington National Bank of the southeast Michigan region. Fezzey serves on various local boards including New Detroit and Habitat for Humanity; he has also won prestigious journalism awards from his time with WJR Radio. 

For more information on the ACC and its programs, visit www.myacc.org.