Welcoming America celebrates 30th Certified Welcoming community with Lincoln, NE
Lincoln, NEBRASKA — Welcoming America is proud to announce that Lincoln has earned the 4-star Certified Welcoming designation, making it the 30th community to join this national network.
This achievement reflects years of community collaboration across sectors to ensure all residents can fully participate in and contribute to community life. Lincoln’s designation was celebrated on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the annual Lincoln Unites! festival, which launched the city’s Welcoming Week by celebrating new citizens and sharing art, music, and the heritage of the many faces of Lincoln.
Christa Yoakum, Lancaster County Commissioner, said: “We are welcoming because it is who we are. We care about our neighbors. But it is also because of intentional work by so many people and organizations across our community. It is collaboration and cooperation, both formally and informally, that make Lincoln welcoming and create a sense of belonging for everyone.”
Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “Lincoln represents the best of American values and what’s possible when entire communities commit to being welcoming. As the country’s 30th Certified Welcoming community, Lincoln is a beacon for belonging and shows the power of what we can do in our backyards to make them welcoming for everyone.”
Community collaboration drives success
Lincoln’s comprehensive approach includes standout programs like: My City Academy, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, Community Crops, and Lincoln Public Schools’ Seat Beside You Initiative. Meanwhile, the Welcoming & Belonging Strategic Plan—a joint effort between the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County—extends this work regionally and maximizes shared resources.
The city’s welcoming infrastructure includes established partnerships with the Cultural Centers of Lincoln, Nebraska Appleseed, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Asian Community and Cultural Center, Lutheran Family Services, and the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights. This ecosystem approach ensures all community members, both newcomers and long-time residents, receive support within Lincoln’s broader commitment to welcoming and inclusion.
As the 30th community to earn Certified Welcoming recognition, Lincoln joins a growing national network of communities proving that welcoming policies strengthen local economies and build more resilient places for everyone to thrive.
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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. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.
About Certified Welcoming
Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for local governments that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program assesses local governments on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities. With a Certified Welcoming designation, communities distinguish their local efforts, build a competitive advantage, and gain access to opportunities to share their welcoming practices on a regional, national, and global stage. Learn more at certifiedwelcoming.org.
Media Contacts
Welcoming America: Leslie Nguyen-Okwu, leslie@welcomingamerica.org
Cultural Centers of Lincoln: Lisa Guill, lisa@lincolnasiancenter.org
