DETROIT — Their inspiring entrepreneurial success stories first appeared in The Arab American News and in four other newspapers under a special publication partnership. Then their work was honored at a gala dinner on Nov. 6.

Entrepreneurs from southeast Michigan’s ethnic and minority communities have much to celebrate, and did so in style, with toasts, tasty food and encouragement from Gov. Rick Snyder.

“It’s great to celebrate success,” Snyder told the crowd. “To say, as an entrepreneur, almost by definition, you looked at something that people perceived was unbelievable to do and you went out and achieved it. That’s something special folks, and that’s something that should be celebrated.”

Snyder was one of the 350 guests at the “Dinner at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, in Celebration of Southeast Michigan’s Entrepreneurs,” hosted by New Michigan Media (NMM) and the New Economy Initiative (NEI). 

NMM is a network of ethnic and minority media across the State of Michigan. Its advisory board includes a coalition of publishers from the five largest ethnic newspapers in the state, which are TAAN, the Detroit Jewish News, the Michigan Chronicle, the Latino Press and the Michigan Korean Weekly.

Attended by the noteworthy entrepreneurs from ethnic and minority communities, along with corporate, foundation, political and community leaders, the event was an affirmation of how ethnic and minority businesses are driving success in southeast Michigan.

“What you see tonight is a result of our teamwork and collaboration … Looking at our guests and the talents they have, I cannot help but be optimistic about a bright future for Michigan,” said Osama Siblani, publisher of TAAN, the leading Arabic and English language weekly, serving the Arab community for more than 29 years. “Look around this room; you see talent and success in all shapes and forms.”

The dinner, held at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, served as the formal recognition of the complete series of articles about entrepreneurs that appeared in TAAN and the four other ethnic newspapers over the last several months. 

Governor Rick Snyder speaks at the event.

“We can create a special environment to show the world this is how we should work together and win together,” Snyder said. “This is fabulous; this celebration. Diversity is a power. It’s an opportunity.”

Articles included features about owners from a diverse range of businesses, including high-tech companies, restaurants, educational organizations, law firms, real estate, markets, manufacturing facilities, medical firms, boutiques, design companies and other types of work.

“Give applause for yourselves,” said Tack Yong Kim, publisher of The Michigan Korean Weekly, the only Korean-language weekly, serving Michigan’s Asian-American communities. “Looking down from this podium, I see different backgrounds, different cultures, different ethnicities and talents. That’s what this event is all about.”

More than 60 Arab American professionals and business owners attended the event and were invited with their guests by The Arab American News.

Siblani asked participants to look around the packed hall, “you will see talents and success in all shapes and forms. This is the future of Michigan and it is a bright one.”

He continued, “please allow me to brag a little about the Arab American community and its contributions:  “We have the inventors, the best food, the best restaurants, the successful lawyers, the best doctors, the bankers, the educators, the traders, the social workers, the bakers, the movers and the shakers.”

Siblani went on to point out some examples of the successful  Arab American entrepreneurs and professionals in the crowd, including Ali Siblani, EnvisionTEC CEO; Dr. Mazen Hammoud, Ford Motor Company’s Electrified Powertrain Systems Chief Engineer; Dr. Haifa Fakhouri, President and CEO of the Arab American and Chaldean Council, who invested in the revitalization of Detroit; Jeff Hammoud, designer of the Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 and 200 series; and Abdul Bazzi, senior product development manager at General Motors-OnStar.

The reporting project was funded and organized by the NEI and NMM. The two organizations are investing in the robust culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the State, which is largely taking place in ethnic and minority communities.

“It’s the importance of putting a focus; a spotlight on the contributions of minorities to this region’s economy and not to underestimate and to celebrate the work that minorities have done in the past, the present and the future of Michigan,” said Hayg Oshagan, executive director of NMM. At the gala, the newspapers’ five publishers shared the stage with the governor and Oshagan and echoed their sentiments about the importance of recognizing and furthering business success in all communities individually and together.

Chuck Stokes.

“New Michigan Media is a testament to the idea that all we need is an idea. This was an idea that was born out of the need to give voice to our different communities; to find a common agenda; to find a common denominator,” said Bankole Thompson, senior editor of The Michigan Chronicle, the leading weekly serving the African-American community “It’s is important to have this group give voice to our different communities.”

David O. Egner, executive director of the NEI, said he was inspired by the dinner guests.

“We can’t build the fabric of community without entrepreneurs, without the small business owners who are the storefronts, the faces, the employers, the economic engine, the taxpayers who make the system work,” Egner said. “We’ve got to rebuild Michigan’s engine, much like the governor said, on the back of new ideas and new ventures.”

“I can tell you in spending time together this evening with the entrepreneurs in this room and my friends, the publishers, that entrepreneurship was dormant from the DNA and it’s being re-stimulated in some amazing ways,” Egner said. “To all of you who are honored, congratulations.”

Siblani also thanked Egner for helping NMM, by strengthening the coalition of publishers. 

Egner said when NEI first partnered with NMM, it was difficult to get the mainstream media to discuss entrepreneurs. He said the only place NEI could go to get the word out was through the ethnic publications.

“And now, look at what has happened in the mainstream. I dare you to read the Detroit News and the Free Press and not find an entrepreneur, not find a small business, not find a reference on how the culture is changing; that wasn’t happening until these guys started printing it. It wasn’t happening until you were recognized,” Egner told the crowd. Egner encouraged NMM to invite more elected officials to the gala next year, because it is important for them to see the impact that ethnic and minority businesses have on the region.

“We have some of the best and brightest, and I think, most importantly, this is about uplifting our city, our region, our State and our communities,” said Arthur Horwitz, publisher of The Jewish News, the leading weekly, serving the Jewish-American community.

WXYZ Channel 7 Editorial/Public Affairs Director Chuck Stokes emceed the event. He addressed the crowd and thanked the writers from the ethnic media who have written the stories about the professionals and entrepreneurs in different communities.

“Thank you for believing in this group and believing in our paper,” said Elias Gutierez, publisher of The Latino Press, the leading Spanish-language weekly. He pointed out several of the dinner guests, including Raquel Castenada-Lopez, who the previous day had been elected as Detroit’s first Latino city council member. “Change is coming and bringing new energy; new everything for everybody,” Gutierez said.

The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (www.neweconomyinitiative.org) is an innovative philanthropic effort to accelerate the transition of metro Detroit to an innovation-based economy. NEI is a special project of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and supports entrepreneurship and the institutions and organizations that have the largest impact on entrepreneurial activity.  

  — Additional reporting by Natasha Dado.