APRIL 2024

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up of volunteers that are committed
to answering the call of St. Pope John
Paul II to re-evangelize the world, was
another panelist. He came to Michigan
from Iraq in 1994, ready to learn.
With his brother-in-law and mentor
Mike Koza, he cashed in on the video
craze and invested in Mammoth Video.
Riding that wave until the market
cooled, he began looking for other opportunities.
Casting his eye to the southern
Unites States, he observed that gas
stations in the region were larger and
offered more choices and thought there
might be something there.
Again, partnering with Koza, Karam
created USA to GO, a gas station/convenience
store model that disrupted
the industry and changed the way motorists
plan road trips. This successful
enterprise allowed him to pursue his
dream of seeking spiritual sustenance
and becoming a revivalist. Besides
ECRC, Karam founded REVIV3, a ministry
that offers one-on-one support for
Christians in their walk, and is heavily
involved in World Youth Day, an event
that brings young people from all over
the world together to worship Jesus
Christ. “The Church is alive,” says Banham,
“and it’s powerful.”
Jeff Denha was the only panelist
that was born in the United States. He
shared the story of how the Denhas
came to own and operate Brass Aluminum
Forging (BAFE). Mike (Jeff’s dad)
and his partner were in the business
of buying distressed companies and
figuring out how to make them profitable.
They would resell the business
once rescued or dissolve it if the business
was unsalvageable. Brass Aluminum
was one of those businesses.
The partner had moved on and
the Denha family was left holding the
company. Jeff felt that with hard work,
BAFE could turn around and show a
profit. “Entrepreneur” is a word much
overused today, but it is a word that
perfectly describes the spirit of Chaldean
businesspeople. Not many in
the community engage in production,
tending toward buying and selling,
but the Denhas are outliers.
Jeff, along with his siblings, was
determined to “protect Mom and Dad’s
money,” as he said during the program.
BAFE produced samples which he sent
out to vendors, but he didn’t sit around
and wait after that. When he was contacted
by a potential customer whose
previous shop couldn’t meet their order,
Jeff contacted the supplier and arranged
to meet. The result was new business for
BAFE and a mutually beneficial business
arrangement with the other production
company. That’s good business.
Full Circle
As the vibrant tapestry of Chaldean
culture weaves its way across continents,
from the ancient sands of
Mesopotamia to the busy roadways of
The Chaldean community continues to bridge the gap between past
and present, enriching both their adopted homeland and the legacy
of the Silk Road itself.
CHALDEAN
STORY
This report is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
Michigan, the journey along the modern
Silk Road shows resilience, entrepreneurship,
and a commitment to
preserving cultural heritage.
Through their thriving businesses
and unwavering dedication, the Chaldean
community continues to bridge the
gap between past and present, enriching
both their adopted homeland and
the legacy of the Silk Road itself. As we
traverse this cultural corridor, it becomes
clear that the spirit of commerce and
cultural exchange knows no bounds,
reminding us that the ties that bind us
are as enduring as the threads of silk that
once connected distant lands.
38 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024