Arab American Business & Professional Association

The Arab-American Business and Professional Association is proud to present the 2nd annual ABPA emPOWER Network Event March 9, 2023 @ 6:00pm at Pazzos at 311 S. Wacker Dr. Chicago. The ABPA emPOWER Network event will feature a combination of networking, an expo-style set up exclusive for women owned businesses to sell products and services, a fashion show featuring Macys latest styles, and portions of event proceeds will go towards the creation of a grant program for young aspiring women entrepreneurs who need financial assistance to start their business. The event will feature prominent speakers and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Professional or Business field. The ABPA emPOWER Network Event is a night full of festivities for all attendees. Sponsorship opportunities for the ABPA emPOWER Network Event are available at Here We look forward to sharing with you more details leading up to the event.

ABPA Empower Event to feature emPOWEREXpo for women business and professional exhibiters

Do you have a product or service you would love to introduce to an in-person audience?

The Arab-American Business and Professional Association is proud to introduce emPOWER Expo. This initiative is designed for female owned business and professionals to showcase, sell, or simply inform attendees by having an expo booth at the inaugural ABPA Women Empower Event March 9, 2023. Exhibitors have the option to sell products and services or have an information booth only. Attendees will receive an event swag bag and exhibitors are required to hand out a least one free small gift to place in the bag.  This will ensure guests will visit all expo booths! All proceeds from emPOWEREXpo will go towards the creation of the ABPA emPOWER grant program for young aspiring women entrepreneurs who need financial assistance for a start-up business based in Illinois.

-Vendors have the option to set up one table for $350 or a two-table set up for $500.

-Vendors must provide one small gift item for the event swag bag to attract attendees to booth

-Vendors can sell products or services during the entirety of event. Vendor must provide all payment methods

-Electric is available upon request

-It is encouraged for all expo booths to have someone present, but it is not mandatory 

-All vendors are responsible for loading and unloading their goods and materials with no acceptations

ABPA To Launch emPOWER Grant Program

The Arab-American Business and Professional Association is proud to announce the creation of the ABPA emPOWER grant program for ambitious, aspiring female entrepreneurs looking for start-up funding for their Illinois- based businesses. A grant application will be formed that will require various information about the business including proof of start-up, a description about what type of business venture the applicant is entering, and a short essay explaining why the applicant should be awarded the empower grant. “It’s time for our Arab American Women to lead from the front” ABPA President Rush Darwish said. “There is an enormous number of talented women who simply need a boost to get their business start-up off the ground.” The ABPA emPOWER Grant is going to be the boost”. 

The grant award amount is $5,000 and the number of grants available per year will be determined by the help of philanthropic supporters.  ABPA will award at least two emPOWER grant recipients at the emPOWER23 Networking Event March 9th at Pazzos. Interested applicants can begin applying for the ABPA emPOWER grant in January 16 through February 19 at bit.ly/emPOWERGrant.