Communities Celebrate Their Commitment to Welcoming and Belonging During Welcoming Week

Co-Authors: Rich André, Asma Easa, Micaela McConnell, Paloma Ramos Last week, communities across the United States participated in Welcoming America’s Welcoming Week. The annual campaign has rapidly expanded over the years to include more than 650 local events that showcase each community’s commitment to fostering welcoming and belonging for all their residents, including their immigrant […]

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Challenges Faced by African LGBTQ+ Immigrants: Seeking Asylum and Acceptance

When we talk about the African immigrant experience, the stories often vary as much as the patterns on a kente cloth—colorful, intricate, and unique. But what if the cloth is woven from threads of struggle, fear, and the quest for acceptance? Hold that thought as we delve into the untold narrative of African LGBTQ+ immigrants, seeking not just asylum but acceptance.

Life isn't always a bowl of jollof rice and suya skewers—spicy, flavorful, and thoroughly enjoyable. No, sometimes it's more like a bitter leaf soup, a necessary gulp of reality that we have to swallow whether we're ready for it or not. You know, every immigrant steps off the plane with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart full of hope, but African LGBTQ+ immigrants? They often disembark with an added carry-on: a shadow of their authentic selves, hidden for the sake of survival.

Now, imagine starting each day by donning a mask. Not just the COVID-19 kind that hides half your face, but a full-on masquerade that obscures your essence. This is the daily ritual for many African LGBTQ+ immigrants, a dance with duality that serves as both shield and cage. Sip your morning coffee, slide into your work attire, and camouflage your true identity—because in a world demanding conformity, authenticity is revolutionary.

Ah, the thrill of revelation! Like the moment you realize 'Wakanda Forever' isn't just a movie catchphrase but a battle cry for representation and dignity. Well, here's another awe-inspiring tidbit: African LGBTQ+ immigrants are transforming the very landscape of asylum laws in the United States. These individuals, seeking not just physical safety but emotional freedom, are advocating for more inclusive immigration policies. If that doesn't elicit a guttural "YES!" from your depths, you might need to check if you're still human.

But let's fold this reality into a story that binds us all—a narrative woven with threads of adversity, resilience, and transformation. Meet Amina, a transgender woman from Uganda, who risked it all to step on American soil as her genuine self. Once a closeted engineer living in Kampala, she's now a fierce advocate fighting for asylum reform. Each morning, as she dresses in her truth, her ritual becomes an act of defiance against the systemic prejudices that once muzzled her. Amina is not just an immigrant; she is a catalyst for change. In her struggle and triumph, we see the epitome of what it means to seek not just asylum, but acceptance.

New Report Uncovers CBP’s Role in Policing Racial Justice Protests in Summer 2020

In the summer of 2020, after George Floyd’s murder, racial justice protests took hold in cities throughout the country. The massive mobilization reflected a nationwide groundswell of opposition to abusive and deadly policing. The importance of the movement and the need for change in the country was clear.   The government’s response to this historic […]

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African Immigrants in the American Political Arena: Influence and Participation

Politics. It's not just for the born-and-bred American anymore. The immigrant experience has a seat at the table, and that chair is rocking the nation's political spectrum in ways that many haven't dared to imagine. Especially when it comes to African immigrants in the American political arena, it's not just about influence. It's about defining a narrative and changing the game.

You're scrolling through your LinkedIn feed, sipping that overpriced cold brew you pretend to enjoy, when suddenly you stumble upon an article titled "African Immigrants Making Waves in Local Politics." You skim through it, nodding here and there. But do you ever stop to think about what this truly signifies? Let me hit you with a surprise twist: This isn't just about the African immigrant experience. This is about the American experience, redefined.

Let's go beyond the surface-level idea of a "diverse political landscape." Forget about the statistics and data for a second; we're not here to crunch numbers. We're here to see how influence and participation of African immigrants in the American political arena will redefine the word "power" in the American lexicon. Yes, power. A concept as all-American as apple pie and just as spicy as jollof rice.

Imagine making this a part of your daily LinkedIn scroll: Instead of mindlessly reading articles, look for African immigrant leaders who are making headway in local or national politics. Follow them. Engage with them. Don't just be a spectator; become a part of the narrative. Trust me, it's like adding a dash of hot sauce to your cold brew; it won't just wake you up, it'll set your soul on fire.

I can almost hear your heart pounding with excitement. "This is it!" you think. "African immigrants are more than just a trending topic; they are a revelation, a seismic shift in the tectonic plates of American political influence." And you're right. They are the voice that articulates the words of Langston Hughes' deferred dream. They are the hands that sculpt the Statue of Liberty's torch into a beacon that shines brighter and wider. They are the embodiment of the audacity to hope and the tenacity to turn that hope into tangible change.

African Elders in America: Preserving Wisdom and Cultural Values

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. We are often so wrapped up in the velocity of modern life that we overlook those who hold the keys to timeless wisdom. Today's digital court of public opinion has nothing on the sagacious, traditional courts presided over by African elders. If you've never met an African elder statesman or stateswoman, buckle up; you're about to take a proverbial journey to the heart of human wisdom.

Ah, African elders in America. That phrase itself is like the opening line of a beautiful epic that's yet to be written, or the title of an award-winning documentary you’d stumble upon on a sleepless night. I could tell you how they’re the bearers of a rich tapestry of cultural wisdom and traditions, but I’d be merely scratching the surface.

Now picture this. You’re rushing through your morning routine—slinging on your crisp suit, combing your hair, chugging your coffee like it’s an Olympic sport. Why not include an age-old African custom into your routine? A simple, daily moment of reflection, a proverb or two from a village elder that you ponder while you're stuck in traffic or on your commute. Like mental yoga, it keeps your perspective limber. I'm talking a moment that not just seizes the day but enriches it. Think of it as your daily vitamin for the soul, brought to you by someone who's seen life in colors and shades you haven't even dreamt of. You might just find that some of these proverbs infiltrate your day in the most unexpected and delightful ways, adding a touch of ageless wisdom to your thoroughly modern conundrums.

You’ve probably seen the LinkedIn videos—the ones with dramatic music, graphics flipping across the screen, and an overly enthusiastic narrator pushing you to think big, aim high, conquer the world. Sure, those might send a jolt of adrenaline rushing through you. But have you ever experienced a thrill like hearing an African elder recount a tale of resilience, imparting wisdom that's been passed down through generations? It's like bungee jumping into an abyss of ancestral knowledge. This is not the usual "5 steps to enhance your productivity"; it's a tale that makes you reevaluate your very essence. This wisdom, when it comes from someone who has been a community linchpin for decades, can be the catalyst for a revolution of thought in your professional life.

Here's a story you won't forget—a young man from Cameroon came to America, brimming with ambition but also tormented by the loneliness that often accompanies such a transition. An African elder told him, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Those simple words reshaped his understanding of community and success in a foreign land. Years later, this young man, imbued with wisdom and cultural values, became an entrepreneur. He emphasized teamwork in his venture, often sharing the same proverb with his employees. It wasn't just a saying; it was an ethos. The business thrived, but more importantly, so did the spirit of community within his organization.