DETROIT — Ali Velshi, the host of Al Jazeera America’s nightly business series, will serve as the keynote speaker at the American Arab Chamber of Commerce’s Building Economic Bridges Gala at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center on Oct. 25. 

  Previously, Velshi was CNN’s Chief Business Correspondent, anchor of CNN International’s World Business Today, and the host of CNN’s weekly business roundtable.

Velshi has reported extensively on the global financial meltdown, since 2008 and continues to be one of the most prominent reporters on financial news.

Awards will also be given at the ceremony to Farouk Shami, founder and chairman of the board for Farouk Systems. Shami’s company has gained prominence in the cosmetology world for its innovative products that are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide. Born in the West Bank, Shami immigrated to the United States and became the inventor of the world’s first ammonia-free hair dye.

Mohamad Issa, co-founder and director of Global Educational Excellence (GEE) is also being honored. Issa is an immigrant from Palestine. GEE is an educational management company that operates eleven schools and touches the lives of 4,500 students.  

For more information on the event, visit www.americanarab.com, or call 313-945-1700.