Ohio Immigrant Alliance Launches “Ohio Is Home” Podcast to Share Stories of Migration, Community, and Home
New podcast is partnering with WGRN to air on its channel, as well as on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple
OHIO — The Ohio Immigrant Alliance (OIA) launched the Ohio Is Home Podcast, which explores how people who move to Ohio are shaping their new homes — and how Ohio is shaping them. The podcast will be available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and will also air on WGRN 91.9FM community radio.
Bookmark the podcast landing page.
“Migration is human. People move. It is an act of courage, love, and hope,” said Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance. “Through Ohio Is Home, we want to tell stories that remind people immigration isn’t an abstract political issue. It is about our neighbors, our communities, and the things we have in common.”
Ohio Is Home launches with two episodes: one with author Demba Ndiath, who just released his first book, From Welcome to Deportation, and another with Dexter Komakaru, the project manager of OIA’s Brave of Us Tattoo Contest. Ohio Is Home plans to release at least one episode each month, featuring conversations with Ohioans and people across the country.
“I’m honored to be part of launching the Ohio Is Home Podcast,” said Emilio Vicente. “Talking with Demba and Dexter reminded me that whether it’s managing a tattoo design contest, writing a book about Black immigrants’ experiences, organizing, or simply sharing people’s immigrant stories, we all have a role to play in humanizing immigrants in Ohio and beyond. I’m looking forward to talking with more Ohioans about the immigrant communities they are involved in and how they’re making sure Ohio Is Home for everyone.
Suzanne Patzer, WGRN added, “WGRN 91.9FM community radio is pleased to include the 'Ohio is Home' podcast in our channel lineup. Our mission is to give voice to local community members and organizations. It's important that we play a part in sharing immigrant experiences and news to inform, educate, and promote understanding among neighbors. WGRN is broadcast throughout central Ohio on 91.9FM and can be streamed at wgrn.org."
From Welcome to Deportation: Who Gets Left Behind? Check out the Interview.
In one of Ohio Is Home's first conversations, Demba Ndiath, Advocacy Director at the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, discusses his first book, From Welcome to Deportation.
Demba’s book focuses on the immigration experiences of West African migrants, mainly those from Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, and neighboring countries. From Welcome to Deportation reveals the gaps and contradictions that Black migrants face when navigating the archaic U.S. immigration and legal systems, experiences that are often overlooked in broader conversations about immigration. Ndiath also discusses realistic solutions for building a more just and humane immigration system that pushes this country to live up to its values.
Brave of Us: Art as Protest, Ink as Solidarity. Check out the Interview.
Ohio Is Home also features Dexter Komakaru, an Ohio-based artist and project manager for OIA’s Brave of Us Tattoo Contest. He discusses art, tattoos, and how creative expression can serve as resistance and solidarity that transcends borders.
This conversation comes as OIA invites anyone who wants to use art to express solidarity with immigrants in Ohio and beyond to submit designs for the Brave of Us Tattoo Contest by September 30, 2026.
About the Host
Emilio Vicente, an immigrant rights activist who came of age in the immigrant youth movement during the 2010 fight for the DREAM Act, will guide many of the podcast's conversations. As an immigrant himself, Vicente brings more than a decade of experience developing organizing, communications, digital and policy strategies alongside immigrant communities. His work has also focused on building connections between immigrant rights and movements for racial, LGBTQIA+ and reproductive justice.
In addition to Vicente, other Ohio Immigrant Alliance team members will lead conversations and bring their own perspectives and experiences with immigration and migration to the podcast.
Members of the public are invited to submit ideas for episodes, people to interview, or topics to highlight here.
Because migration is as natural as breathing. Because migration is human. And because Ohio is Home.
About WGRN
Operating since 2016, WGRN broadcasts on 91.9FM and streams on wgrn.org. It is an all-volunteer, non-commercial, independent, nonprofit community radio station with a mission to give a voice to the local community. WGRN is also a Pacifica affiliate that plays national radio shows. WGRN’s programming includes talk shows and music, and follows the Ten Key Green Values. The station invites local organizations to do their own shows and submit public service announcements.