Arab American Business & Professional Association

The Arab-American Business and Professional Association is proud to announce the annual Top Business of the Year award will now be named “The Amir Darwish Top Business of The Year”. The annual award launched in 2021 to honor an Arab owned business that exemplifies excellence in customer service, operations, and social media marketing presence. Mr. Darwish served as a ABPA Board member and treasurer for over 15 years until retiring in 2020. The board of directors unanimously voted to change the name to honor Mr. Darwish’s service to ABPA and the Arab American community at large. ABPA president and his youngest son Rush Darwish is touched by this honor, “My father will forever be the shining symbol of the American dream who came to this country with $20 in his pocket and a burning desire to own a business, start a family, and give back to his community”. “It is because of people like my dad the dream to succeed in our country is alive and well” Mr. Darwish said. 

Amir Darwish was a long-time entrepreneur who opened his first business with his brother Sam in 1982 called Logan Square Super Market. He would go on to open multiple sporting apparel stores in the mid 80’s and into the 90’s that were all family operated. Amir and his son’s Ashraf and Samer would later open The Athletes Foot and would expand the franchise across the Chicagoland area. Even with Mr. Darwish’s grueling schedule, he was a dedicated community organizer locally and abroad for various humanitarian causes including his love for Palestine. 

The Amir Darwish Top Business of the year will be awarded during ABPA’s Annual Dinner Gala Friday November 18, 2022 at Esplanade Lakes by Doubletree in Downers Grove. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/ABPAGALA11822