Drag performer Jackie Cox joins Welcoming Week kickoff event
Decatur, GA — Welcoming America is thrilled to announce that drag performer Jackie Cox of RuPaul’s Drag Race will make a featured appearance and performance in the virtual kick off event for Welcoming Week on September 9, 2021.
Jackie Cox (also known as Darius Rose) is a New York City-based drag performer of Iranian and Canadian descent. She gained recognition as a contestant on Season 12 of the popular TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race where she finished in fifth place. Jackie is notable for being the first queen of Iranian descent, as well as the first to appear on the show wearing a hijab.
Apart from her TV appearances, Jackie has been a feature of the theatrical cabaret scene in New York, earning the title “Best Cabaret Show” at the Glam Awards in 2018 for her set I Dream of Jackie, which she has performed across the United States.
Jackie says: “I’ve been thinking about what it means to welcome others into this country. Sometimes it can feel like a competition. We don’t necessarily belong here and we have to fight our way in. I have so many friends and new acquaintances from the Middle East who come to this country in the hopes of a better life and future. I’m so honored to carry them and their spirit with me in my drag and celebration of life of joy, and honored to share that with you all for Welcoming Week.”
“I’ve been thinking about what it means to welcome others into this country. Sometimes it can feel like a competition. We don’t necessarily belong here and we have to fight our way in. I have so many friends and new acquaintances from the Middle East who come to this country in the hopes of a better life and future. I’m so honored to carry them and their spirit with me in my drag and celebration of life of joy, and honored to share that with you all for Welcoming Week.”
The virtual kickoff event is open to the public and can be viewed on Welcoming America’s YouTube channel and Facebook Page on Thursday, September 9 at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time).
Jackie joins a growing line-up of performers and storytellers sharing their experiences of belonging for Welcoming Week, including actor and comedian Peter Banifaz; music group El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico; the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir; and stories from nonprofits in the Welcoming Network such as the Idaho Office for Refugees and ArtsMidwest.
About Welcoming Week
Since 2012, Welcoming Week has served as the annual campaign and celebration led by Welcoming America to showcase the growing movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants. By fostering mutual respect and cooperation between new and long-time residents, Welcoming Week brings together people across lines of difference toward greater prosperity for all.
About Belonging Begins With Us
Belonging Begins With US is an existing national campaign supported by Welcoming America in partnership with the Ad Council and American Immigration Council’s Center for Inclusion and Belonging. Launched in 2020, this multi-year campaign aims to foster a more welcoming nation and world where everyone — regardless of their background — can belong. Welcoming Week 2021 seeks to amplify Belonging Begins With US by activating local communities to make welcoming and belonging more than just a feeling, but an action we can all take.
About Welcoming America
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future.
Through the Welcoming Network, we work to change systems and culture by providing communities the roadmap they need to create welcoming policies and share new approaches to inclusion to create an environment where everyone can truly thrive. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.
Press contact: Lola Pak, [email protected]