News & Resources
#Interactive2022 Recap
Over 450 people joined us in Charlotte, NC for the first in-person Welcoming Interactive since 2019. Local government leaders and nonprofit luminaries spent three days exchanging inclusion practices and ideas while connecting with both old and new colleagues and friends. Be sure to check out the event photos (more coming soon…) in our conference Flickr…
Statement on recent mass shootings and asylum policies
Like many across the U.S., we are devastated by the news of yet another mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Just 10 days after the shootings in a Buffalo, New York grocery store, church in Laguna Woods, California, and at the two year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, we remain committed to a more abundant, safe,…
Welcoming America designates the City of Charlotte as Certified Welcoming, first in the Southeast
### DECATUR, GA (May 19, 2022) — Welcoming America announces today the City of Charlotte in North Carolina as Certified Welcoming, the first in the state and in the southeast U.S. region. The announcement is taking place at the Welcoming Interactive annual conference at the Westin Charlotte, which is being hosted by Welcoming America in…
Celebrating 10 years of Welcoming Week with a new identity, announcing 2022 theme
This September, Welcoming America and its network of 300+ nonprofit and local government members – as well as a broader coalition of partner organizations – will ring in the 10th anniversary of Welcoming Week. For the past decade, the annual celebration has taken place in communities through events, ceremonies, and other actions to commemorate the…
School boards in focus: sustaining democracy and pluralism by taking a step back
Through the pandemic, schools became one of the toughest places to navigate for students, parents, educators, and school board members. Over time, school board meetings became tense spaces where people released their frustrations on issues ranging from mask mandates to the role of race in student curricula, sometimes ending in school board members being removed…
Statement on Uniting for Ukraine
Yesterday, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, an entry program for people from Ukraine seeking refuge in the United States on a temporary basis known as humanitarian parole. It requires the help of a sponsor in the United States to provide initial financial and other support for basic needs. While we welcome news that people…
Welcoming Network members receive over $1 million to strengthen welcoming infrastructure for Afghan arrivals
Welcoming America is pleased to announce $1.25 million in grants from the Open Society Foundations to select local governments that support community efforts to meet the needs of new Afghan arrivals. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, co-chaired the selection committee with Rich André of the American Immigration Council. Each grantee will receive amounts…
Announcing the plenary speakers for 2022 Welcoming Interactive
Welcoming America is thrilled to announce the three speakers to present at the plenary sessions of the 2022 Welcoming Interactive taking place in-person in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Westin hotel from May 18-20: Jerry Hawkins is the Executive Director of Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (DTRHT) in Texas. As part of a national…
Welcoming America designates the City of Detroit as Certified Welcoming, the first in Michigan
DECATUR, GA — Welcoming America announces today the City of Detroit, Michigan as Certified Welcoming, the first in the Wolverine State to achieve the designation. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “I’m especially proud to congratulate Detroit on its designation as a Certified Welcoming city. As a city shaped by migration, and as…
Welcoming America designates the City of San José as Certified Welcoming
DECATUR, GA — Welcoming America announces today the City of San José, California, as Certified Welcoming, the second in the Golden State to achieve the status. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “As the largest city in our nation’s center of technology and innovation, San José’s designation as Certified Welcoming sends a strong…