Posts by Lola Pak
Harnessing a history of welcoming in Detroit
In April 2022, the City of Detroit, Michigan became the first place to become Certified Welcoming in the state. In this blog, we spoke with Roberto Torres, Director of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion for the City of Detroit, on the journey to achieve the Certified Welcoming designation. Background In 2015, the mayor of Detroit…
Read MoreCity of Pittsburgh is now Certified Welcoming
Written by Feyisola Akintola, Special Initiatives Manager, Office of Equity, City of Pittsburgh Editor’s note: On September 17, 2021, the City of Pittsburgh, PA became the twelfth place to become Certified Welcoming, and the third in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Read more about what the process was like. Pittsburgh has always been a commercial hub…
Read MoreCity of Erie is Now Certified Welcoming
(Photo above: Hailing from 22 countries, 52 new U.S. citizens are shown, Feb. 28, 2020, following a morning citizenship and naturalization ceremony at U.S. District Court in Erie. Credit: CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS) Written By Niken Astari Carpenter, New American Liaison, City of Erie Editor’s note: On November 18, 2020, the City of Erie, PA became…
Read MoreLeaning on Certified Welcoming values through the pandemic in Lucas County
Written by Mely Arribas-Douglas, Welcome TLC Librarian, Toledo Lucas County Public Library (Ohio) As part of our milestone in reaching 10 Certified Welcoming places this year, we hear from some of these places to see how becoming Certified Welcoming helped in the response to COVID-19, building resilience, and racial equity. In this blog, we hear…
Read MoreToward healing and uniting in Louisville
Editor’s note: On March 13, Breonna Taylor, a Black medical worker in Louisville, KY, was shot in her home by police officers who entered her apartment as part of a drug investigation. Her murder, along with those of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, sparked nationwide protests against police violence and racial discrimination. Welcoming…
Read MoreHow being Certified Welcoming builds resilience, inclusion in Dallas
Written by: Liz Cedillo-Pereira; Chief of Equity and Inclusion, Office of the City Manager, City of Dallas, TX & Vanna Slaughter; Senior Program Manager (retired), Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs, City of Dallas, TX As part of our milestone in reaching 10 Certified Welcoming places this year, we hear from some of these…
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