About Us
In order for businesses to thrive in today’s market, it is essential to have a strong advocate on your side. The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to actively supporting its members as well as providing unique and valuable business solutions to ensure these businesses grow and prosper.
Mission
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce builds economic bridges by promoting and empowering the business community it serves on a local, national and international level.
Goals
Domestically, the Chamber is committed to strengthening its members by offering valuable networking opportunities as well as other programs, events, and seminars to promote member businesses. Internationally, the Chamber has made tremendous strides by fostering trade between Michigan-based companies and businesses located in the Middle East. The Chamber provides international referrals, sponsorship of delegations and trade missions and resource information regarding the Middle Eastern business market.
Background
In 1992 a core group of Arab American business individuals charted a bold new course that laid the groundwork for what is now the largest Arab American business organization in the country. Through the years, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce has seen its mission and role continuously evolve with the needs of Arab American businesses and the community at large. Buoyed by the vision and leadership of the Chamber, the Arab American business community has become one of the most economically and culturally affluent communities in Michigan and the nation.
Meet Our Executive Director
Bilal Hammoud, a proud lifelong Michigan resident, is a distinguished public servant and community advocate. Holding dual degrees in Public Health and Neuropsychology from Wayne State University, as well as executive certificates in Strategy Execution and Leadership Management from Harvard Business School, Hammoud currently serves as the Executive Director for the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, working to uplift Arab American Entrepreneurs and ensure representation across the national economic landscape.
In 2019, Michigan's Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, appointed him as the first Arab American in the Executive Office in Lansing. There, Hammoud championed public education, resource creation for ID and election accessibility, and spearheaded initiatives to benefit marginalized communities, including the housing insecure, returning citizens, and seniors. Notably, as the chair of the Secretary of State’s Language Access Task Force, he led efforts to dismantle barriers facing non-English speaking communities.
His dedication to the community and the environment has earned him accolades such as the "Contributor of the Year" award from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the "30 under 30" recognition from the Arab America Foundation. Over the years, Hammoud has served in pivotal roles, including Project Manager for the City of Cheboygan, Community Engagement Liaison with Forgotten Harvest, and Community Relations Manager at Communities First, Inc.
Beyond his government roles, Hammoud's commitment to positive change is evident in his board memberships with nonprofits like the Islamic House of Wisdom, United Humanitarian Foundation, Rotary Club of Dearborn Heights, Don’t Be Shai, the Wayne State Alumni Board of Governors, and C-Assist. In 2022, he ventured into politics, running for State Representative in the Dearborn area.
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