Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of 9/11
As Welcoming Week 2021 kicks off this week with joyous celebrations across the world — virtually and in-person — we also take a moment of silence today to reflect on the lives lost on September 11, 2001. I recall 9/11 vividly, when the world changed irrevocably. Sitting at my desk across the Potomac River, I…
Read MoreMedia advisory: Drag performer Jackie Cox, comedian Peter Banifaz, and more to virtually kick off Welcoming Week
Atlanta, GA — On Thursday, September 9, national nonprofit Welcoming America hosts the livestream event “#BelongingBeginsWithUs: A Welcoming Week Experience” on Facebook Live and YouTube to kick off Welcoming Week, which begins September 10. What: #BelongingBeginsWithUs: A Welcoming Week Experience When: Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time Where: Livestreamed on Facebook Live and…
Read MoreEntertainers, nonprofits and governments declare “Belonging Begins With Us” for Welcoming Week’s virtual kickoff
Atlanta, GA — As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, climate change, and Afghan refugee crisis, national nonprofit Welcoming America will host a livestream event on Thursday, September 9, 2021 called “#BelongingBeginsWithUs: A Welcoming Week Experience” to celebrate and welcome newcomers in local communities everywhere aiming to foster a deeper sense of belonging…
Read MoreDrag 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…
Read MoreCreating the table: Using food to foster belonging during Welcoming Week
The Nashville Food Project, a Welcoming Network member, works to bring people together to grow, cook, and share nourishing food. Check out how they plan on celebrating #WelcomingWeek2021 using the recently published Taste of Belonging cookbook. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, we must consider how to heal and connect with one another…
Read MoreIranian American comedian, actor slated to emcee Welcoming Week kickoff event
Decatur, GA — Welcoming America is thrilled to announce Peter Banifaz, an Iranian-born American actor, comedian, and writer based in Los Angeles, as the official emcee of this year’s Welcoming Week virtual kickoff event on September 9. In addition to his recurring role on the Emmy-nominated show on Showtime, Shameless, Banifaz’s acting credits include Veep,…
Read MoreMasks on, arms open: Milwaukee nonprofits foster new connections in the heart of the pandemic
In 2020, Welcoming America and its members worked in eight cities to bridge diverse communities and foster a deeper sense of belonging for local residents, including immigrants. This story is part of the Belonging Begins With Us campaign, which was funded in part by the Walmart Foundation. At a time when a pandemic isolated Americans,…
Read MoreWelcoming Week 2021: Best Practices and Resources to Plan Your Events
Planning to celebrate Welcoming Week 2021 this September? Watch this webinar to learn more about this year’s Welcoming Week strategy and ways to participate! You’ll get access to resources, insights, and tips to help with planning your own event during Welcoming Week (September 10-19) as well as introduce this year’s theme, share the toolkit and…
Read MoreHow we created home together for Welcoming Week 2020
This year, as many of us social distanced to protect our communities, Welcoming Week was more important than ever. Under the theme of “Creating Home Together”, Welcoming Week inspired communities to consider what makes a home and how, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the definition of home has changed for many people. At…
Read MoreHow Communities of Practice Foster Thoughtful Engagement, Collaboration, and Welcoming
Authored by Thought Partnerships As part of Welcoming Week, we invited partners to share how they’re creating home together during a pandemic. Thought Partnerships is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to advancing non-violent, just, and inclusive societies. Thought Partnerships is a formal partner of Welcoming Week 2020. Thought Partnerships (TP) joins millions around the world who are finding new…
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