“Ohio Immigrants & Refugees: Lived Experiences, Mobilizing for Change” is Theme of this Oct. Event
Columbus – Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is partnering with The Ohio State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Ohio Immigrant Alliance to host a four-part virtual convening in October 2020: “Ohio Immigrants and Refugees: Lived Experiences, Mobilizing for Change.” Register at https://go.osu.edu/immigration.
The convening, which will take place via Zoom over four Fridays in October, from 10am to noon, starts with informational and educational sessions, and wraps up with a panel about what anyone can do to mobilize for change. Read about each panel and confirmed speakers here. This event is made possible by the Four Freedoms Fund.
Daniela Pierre-Bravo (@dpierrebravo), an MSNBC producer and co-author of the book “Earn It! Know Your Value and Grow Your Career, in Your 20s and Beyond” with Mika Brzezinski, will deliver a keynote address to kick off the conference on October 9. Raised in Lima, Ohio, Daniela went from being the only Latina in her high school class to the studios and spotlights of MSNBC in New York. She frequently writes about her emotional journey as a DACA recipient.
Maria Otero, a staff attorney with ABLE and one of the convening organizers, said: “Daniela will start this convening off right. As an immigrant myself, I know it’s not always easy to be an immigrant or refugee in Ohio. And while some people act out of ignorance, there are many more people who want to learn about immigrant and refugee experiences and welcome us here. This conference is for them.”
Yolanda Zepeda, Assistant Vice Provost at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at The Ohio State University, and another convening organizer, said: “I am so excited about this convening, because our goals are not only to promote understanding but to inspire advocacy. We will learn how regular people can make real change in Ohio.”
WHAT: A four-part virtual convening about the immigrant and refugee experience in Ohio, the policies that affect their lives, and mobilizing for change
WHEN: 10am-noon on October 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2020
WHERE: Online! Register at https://go.osu.edu/immigration and share on Facebook http://bit.ly/OhioConvening2020
Background on Each Session
Session 1: Home is Here: Immigrants and Refugees in Ohio (Oct. 9)
The actual, lived experiences of immigrants and refugees in Ohio today, featuring:
Maria Otero, ABLE (Moderator)
Daniela Pierre-Bravo, MSNBC (Keynote Speaker)
Emily Brown, ABLE
Cynthia Bukwira, Community Refugee & Immigration Services
Lisa Factora-Borchers, Writer & Editor
Session 2: Education and Activism to Support Students from Immigrant Families (Oct. 16)
Education challenges and barriers faced by immigrants and their children; innovative approaches; activism in schools, featuring:
Yolanda Zepeda, OSU Office of Diversity & Inclusion (Moderator)
Reem Subei, ABLE
Chrissy Foster, ESL & Social Emotional Learning Practitioner
Jessica Ramos, ABLE
Gabriela Pickett, PhD, Dayton Public School Board of Education
Liz Morales, Student Community of Progressive Empowerment (SCOPE)
Uma Archaya, North Community Counseling Centers
Session 3: Current State of Immigration Policy (Oct. 23)
An overview, featuring:
Maria Otero, ABLE (Moderator)
Houleye Thiam, Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in US
Katie Kersh, ABLE
Brian Hoffman, OCSILiO: The Ohio Center for Strategic Immigration Litigation & Outreach
Session 4: What Can You Do to Make Ohio a Better Place for Immigrants and Refugees? (Oct. 30)
Mobilizing for change; advocacy campaigns to protect and expand immigrants’ rights, featuring:
Lynn Tramonte, Ohio Immigrant Alliance (Moderator)
Anna Babel, The Ohio State University
Avery Martens, Showing Up for Racial Justice
Mustafa Jamale, Voice for Refuge
Melissa Bartolo, Welcoming America
Mónica Ramírez, Justice for Migrant Women and #EssentialOH Campaign
Follow the Ohio Immigrant Alliance on Twitter @tramontela
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