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Sage Ali

Co-Owner
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Sage Ali was born Haidar Ben Ali, and he was later given the nickname “Sage” by a close friend and mentor at his martial arts academy. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Sage is the firstborn son of Ben and Virginia Ali, founders of the iconic Ben’s Chili Bowl. After attending Georgetown Day High School, Brown University, and Berklee College of Music, Sage moved to Hollywood, California to pursue a career in the music business. In addition to performing, writing, producing, and recording, Sage co-founded Vida Media Group in 1989 with his wife and business partner, Vida Ali. The boutique PR firm located in West Hollywood, CA successfully represented and promoted numerous world renowned recording artists across multiple genres of music for nearly 30 years. Ben Ali joined the ancestors in 2009, and following the wishes of his late father, Sage returned to DC in 2010 to help support and expand his family’s business. Ben had always dreamed of his three sons working together to continue the great legacy of Ben’s Chili Bowl, and the fulfillment of this dream began upon Sage’s return. His love for the family business is clearly connected to the values he learned from his parents, which include excellence, humble service, and dedicated community engagement. Sage has always been passionate about personal and community development. He exemplifies and espouses the benefits of positive mindedness and healthful living, and he lovingly inspires those around him to bring out the best in themselves and others. Always the humanitarian, Sage has never sought position, accolades, or recognition for helping others. He is a strong believer in simplicity and touching people’s lives directly. Love, kindness, and genuine human connections are most valuable to those who truly understand life, pure and simple. Sage simply wants to do his part in making the world a better place for all.

SESSIONS

Main Stage Panel: The Family’s Role in the Community Speaker

Business families play vital roles in their communities as employers, philanthropists and civic leaders. At the same time, a family member’s misstep or a business snafu could bring unwelcome scrutiny to the whole family. Panelists will discuss the opportunities and challenges of being prominent community members.


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