Salif Sarr is a Mauritanian-Ohioan pop star. Shema Asifiwe is the Cincinnati-based artist (and high school student) behind the Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s new coloring book. Demba Ndiath is about to publish his book about West African migration to Ohio.

They are all part of “Ohio Is My Second Country,” the Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s fourth presentation at the Columbus Arts Festival on June 13. 

The Cincinnati Enquirer published an important story about an Ohio man at risk of detention and deportation (read behind paywall). Nadhirou Tambadou is a hero and leader of a movement to demand human rights for Black Mauritanians, who was finally forced to seek safety in the United States after years of persecution by the Mauritanian government.

Get to know five men who are part of the Mauritanian widows and orphans movement. A day before International Human Rights Day these brave young men — who sought asylum in the US — joined with other leaders to talk about Black civil rights in Mauritania today, and why they continue to demand justice and equality, and seek safety in the United States.

Ahead of International Human Rights Day on December 10, human rights defenders with the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in US, Progressive Forces of Change (Columbus Chapter), and Mauritanian Orphans’ Alliance documented the Mauritanian government’s ongoing persecution of Black Mauritanians in a webinar for members of the media and lawyers.

Black Mauritanians have been arrested, tortured, and even killed for demanding full and equal treatment on land their families have called home for centuries. On December 9, at 1pm ET, ahead of International Human Rights Day, civil rights leaders and genocide survivors will provide an update on the state of Black Mauritanians’ civil rights. The briefing will be useful for members of the media, and lawyers working on asylum cases.   

This annotated version of Souleye Ball’s poem provides cultural references and context for people who aren’t familiar with Mauritanian history, culture, geography, and U.S. immigration policy. It offers a deeper level of understanding of the poem, and we invite you to listen to his delivery as well.

For the first time ever, we’re making digital versions of the Ohio Migration Anthology completely free! Download Volume 1, “Far From Their Eyes,” here and Volume 2, “(Everything Is) Cells and Bodies,” here.

The Fulani people are the largest nomadic ethnic group in the world, with significant presence in Ohio. Houleye Thiam, whose poetry was featured in Volume 1 of the Ohio Migration Anthology, anchored “Pulaagam: A Celebration of Fulani Heritage,” an event curated by Maryam Sy.

Thiam welcomed the crowd with a brief introduction to Fulani pride and the program. “In Fulani culture,” she said, “in order for you to shine, I don't have to dim my light. We can all shine together.”