August 31st, 2010
Please join Welcoming America for a screening and discussion of “Welcome to Shelbyville” at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C on Wednesday, September 15 at 4pm. The documentary features the efforts of Welcoming Tennessee, the model for all subsequent Welcoming campaigns, as its local leaders in Shelbyville, TN try to promote dialog and understanding over hate and division amidst rapid immigrant growth. This documentary will air in markets across the country via PBS in Spring 2011.
What: Welcome to Shelbyville film screening & discussion
When: Wednesday, September 15, 4pm-6:30pm
Where: Falk Auditorium, The Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
Film Description: Set against the backdrop of a shaky economy, Welcome to Shelbyville takes an intimate look at a southern town as its residents – whites and African Americans, Latinos and Somalis – grapple with their beliefs, their histories, and their evolving ways of life.
Who: This event is hosted by the Brookings Institution and co-presented by the Migration Policy Institute and Active Voice.
Responding to the film and offering a range of perspectives will be:
- Rebecca Carson, US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Miguel Gonzales, Welcoming Tennessee
- David Lubell, Welcoming America
- Margie McHugh, Migration Policy Institute
- Dr. Audrey Singer, Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution
Why: Be among the first to see scenes from this documentary, learn about its role in an upcoming multimedia campaign and network with your colleagues afterwards over drinks and refreshments. The documentary will premiere on ITVS’ Independent Lens series on PBS and be presented through ITVS’ Community Cinema program in Spring 2011.
Welcome to Shelbyville is directed and produced by Kim Snyder and executive produced by BeCause Foundation in association with Active Voice.
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Announcements
July 29th, 2010
On Wednesday, July 28th the Mayor of Birmingham, William A. Bell, Sr., issued a proclamation declaring Birmingham a city that is “welcome to all.” The effort for the proclamation was a joint effort of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice and Welcoming Alabama. The proclamation commends the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, on their “Celebration of Immigrant Communities” event and goes on to declare:
“Whereas: As Maya Angelou stated ‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.’ and
“Whereas: The City of Birmingham is making a historic proclamation that this city is welcome to all and will reject any policies that divid our community.”
Welcoming Alabama coordinator, Zayne Smith, stated: “This is an exciting day where the largest city in Alabama is proclaimed to be a Welcoming city. We hope that other cities across our state follow their example and work to make immigrants feel more welcome so that we can build bridges between the U.S.-born Alabamans and their immigrant neighbors. ”
“By issuing this proclamation, the mayor is clearly stating that Birmingham is a city that believes that communities that are stronger when they work together,” said Ellen Gallagher, Director of Programs for Welcoming America.
Welcoming Alabama is one of 13 state affiliates of Welcoming America. Welcoming America is a national, grassroots-driven collaborative that works to promote mutual respect and cooperation between foreign-born and U.S.-born Americans. The ultimate goal of Welcoming America is to create a welcoming atmosphere – community by community – in which immigrants are more likely to integrate into the social fabric of their adopted hometowns
To learn more about Welcoming Alabama and other Welcoming campaigns across the country, visit www.welcomingamerica.org/about-us/our-affiliates/.
Pictured top left: Welcoming Alabama coordinator, Zayne Smith, is presented with the proclamation by Charles Long, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor. Pictured bottom right: an image of the proclamation.
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June 20th, 2010
Welcoming America has already developed national reach, and will continue to grow until it has truly rekindled the American dream coast to coast. Currently, thirteen campaigns – most of them statewide – are active across the country (see diagram). This is up from just 7 campaigns in 2009. The demand for this dynamic new approach to addressing rapid immigration growth has proven quite high in communities across the country, and we anticipate significant growth in the number of affiliates over the next few years. The following three factors will be considered in the selection of affiliates for future campaigns:
1.) The capacity of the local organization(s) to build a successful, sustainable campaign with the active involvement of multiple sectors within the target community.
2.) The capacity of the local organization(s) to replicate the campaign in neighboring towns and cities.
3.) The severity of the current climate for immigrants in that area.
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June 16th, 2010
Welcoming America’s Nebraska affiliate, Nebraska is Home, has been working in hard to build bridges in the community of Fremont, NE. They have also been working in several other communities across Nebraska (see below). The bonds of the Fremont community have been strained by the introduction of immigration related ordinances and referenda. Previously a divisive immigration ordinance was defeated by the town council. Unfortunately, on June 21st 2010 the citizens of Fremont voted in a referendum to pass an immigration-related policy that will increase community division, and inhibit immigrant integration. Nevertheless, Nebraska is Home Fremont will continue in its efforts to build mutual understanding and respect between immigrants and U.S. born residents.
Here’s what the editorial board of the Freemont Tribune has said about the campaign: “We as a community have a chance to show we still can be courteous and respectful. That chance is by supporting the Nebraska Is Home Fremont campaign.”
Nebraska is Home has also produced, printed and distributed thousands of visually appealing posters that contain positive messages about immigrants. These posters have become important tools for Nebraska’s many welcoming committees. They have also built very strong local campaigns in the towns of Crete, Fremont, Grand Island and Schuyler that have resulted in a positive shift in discourse.
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Please join Welcoming America for a screening and discussion of “Welcome to Shelbyville” at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C on Wednesday, September 15 at 4pm. The documentary features the efforts of Welcoming Tennessee, the model for all subsequent Welcoming campaigns, as its local leaders in Shelbyville, TN try to promote dialog and understanding over hate and division amidst rapid immigrant growth. This documentary will air in markets across the country via PBS in Spring 2011.
