At Shako Mako, our events are designed to celebrate culture, build community, and empower individuals across generations. Throughout the year, we host dynamic gatherings that bring people together through food, music, storytelling, education, and service. From language classes and youth mentorship to cultural festivals and civic engagement workshops, each event reflects our mission to preserve Iraqi heritage, support immigrant communities, and foster cross-cultural understanding. Explore our annual calendar and join us in making every season meaningful.
Shako Mako Annual Events Calendar
January Event’s
Shako Mako – Iraqi American Association Community Launch is to introduce the organization to the public, share its mission, and highlight its programs and future initiatives. This event brings together Iraqi American families and community friends to celebrate culture, build connections, and create awareness of the services and opportunities Shako Mako will offer. Through presentations, cultural hospitality, and community engagement, the launch aims to foster belonging, encourage participation, and establish a strong foundation for ongoing cultural, educational, and community-focused activities.
February Event’s
Shako Mako – Iraqi American Association will host a Tax Readiness Workshop to help Iraqi American families navigate tax season with confidence. To empower Iraqi American families with clear, accessible, culturally informed guidance during tax season. Many in our community face challenges such as unfamiliarity with U.S. tax rules, language barriers, and a lack of trustworthy resources. This workshop aims to bridge those gaps and make tax preparation less stressful and more understandable. The sessions, facilitated by a Texas-licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPA), will cover 2025 tax updates, required documents, key credits and deductions, and ways to avoid scams. Designed for first-generation parents, students, workers, and small business owners, the workshop will offer clear guidance in both English and Arabic, a live Q&A, and all attendees will receive a coupon for a discounted tax-return filing service, providing extra support during tax season.
Ramadan Community Iftar (if it falls in April): Open to all – breaking bread to build understanding and unity.
March Event’s
Shako Mako will host a College Readiness Event to support Iraqi American parents and students as they navigate the U.S. education and college application process. The event will include bilingual workshops explaining high school credits, GPA, AP/Dual Credit, types of colleges, choosing majors, and building strong résumés. Parents will receive simplified guidance on admissions, ApplyTexas/Common App, FAFSA/TASFA, scholarships, and how to support their children at every grade level.
Students will participate in academic and career planning sessions, SAT/ACT prep guidance, essay-writing support, and a career panel featuring Iraqi American professionals. Families can also sign up for one-on-one mini consultations for transcript review, essay help, and financial aid support. The event will introduce the family mentorship network, helping families connect with mentors who successfully navigated the U.S. college system.
The goal of the event is to strengthen parent-student communication, increase college confidence, and build a strong community network that empowers Iraqi American youth to pursue higher education with pride and clarity.
Eid al-Fitr Celebration: Big family-friendly gathering with Iraqi food, kids’ activities, music, and giveaways.
Nowruz Celebration (Kurdish & regional communities): Celebrate diversity within Iraqi cultures.
April Event’s
Civic Engagement Workshop: Educate newcomers and youth on voting, local government, and advocacy.
Career & Professional Development
Shako Mako – Iraqi American Association invites Iraqi American youth and adults to the launch of our Professional Development Program, designed to support career readiness, growth, and long-term success in the U.S. workforce.
This interactive event will provide practical tools for résumé building, interview preparation, workplace communication, and career planning. Participants will hear from Iraqi American professionals across diverse fields, gain insight into navigating career pathways at different life stages, and connect with mentors and peers in a supportive, culturally informed environment.
Whether you are a student exploring career options, a professional seeking advancement, a newcomer adjusting to the U.S. workforce, or considering a career transition, this event offers guidance, resources, and connections to help you move forward with confidence.
May Event’s
Community BBQ & Iraqi Tea Lounge: Informal gathering with music, games, and discussion circles.
Spring Bazaar: Handmade Iraqi Crafts & Cuisine: Support local artisans and fundraise for Shako Mako.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Launch Event
Join Shako Mako – Iraqi American Association for the launch of our Small Business Development Program, created to empower Iraqi American entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to start and grow successful businesses in Texas.
This event will cover the fundamentals of starting and managing a business, including legal setup, business planning, branding, marketing, and financial basics. Participants will learn from experienced Iraqi American business owners, explore available local resources and funding options, and connect with mentors and peers within the community.
Whether you are exploring a business idea, operating a home-based or small business, or looking to strengthen and expand an existing venture, this event provides a clear pathway to ongoing coaching, workshops, and entrepreneurial support through Shako Mako.
June Event’s
Youth Leadership & Mentorship Camp: Week-long program for teens focused on identity, skills, and future planning.
Iraqi Cultural Night: Screening of classic and contemporary Iraqi literature followed by group discussion on identity, history, and diaspora perspectives.
July Event’s
4th of July Cultural Booth: Represent Iraq at multicultural events and parades.
Iraqi Music & Dabke Night: Live music, traditional dancing, and storytelling celebrating the diverse musical traditions of Iraq’s regions; Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and Kurdistan.
August Event’s
Back-to-School Supply Drive: Collect and distribute supplies to Iraqi and immigrant families in need.
Parent & Youth Education Forum: Help families navigate the U.S. education system.
September Event’s
Fall Arabic & Iraqi Dialect Classes Begin: New session of cultural education and language preservation.
Iraqi History & Civilization Month Kickoff: Exhibits, lectures, and films showcasing Iraq’s contributions to human history.
October Event’s
Iraqi Cultural Heritage Festival: Annual flagship event featuring food, dance, art, music, storytelling, and crafts.
Immigration Support Workshop: Help with green card applications, TPS renewals, and welfare resources.
November Event’s
Thanksgiving Potluck: Shared Tables, Shared Stories: Invite community members to share traditional foods and family stories.
Partnership Appreciation Luncheon: Celebrate collaborations with sponsors, donors, and allied organizations.
December Event’s
End-of-Year Celebration & Awards Night: Honor volunteers, recap the year’s successes, and share the next year’s vision.
Winter Coat & Essentials Drive: Distribute winter gear and basic needs to refugee and low-income families.
