OUR NEXT MEETING
When: June 10, 2009
Where: City Hall Philadelphia
Caucus Room
4th Floor - Room 401
Welcome
Hon. Stanley L Straughter
Commission Chairman
On the eve of Live 8, an international celebration to raise awareness about poverty on the African continent, and in preparation of the 4th of July Holiday, the Mayor’s creation of this Commission reaffirmed to the world Philadelphia ’s historic commitment to tolerance, freedom and democracy.
Philadelphia is home to over 200,000 African and Caribbean immigrants, many who were resettled here by local humanitarian organizations under the Refugee Act of 1980. The first wave of African immigrants under this Act came seeking refuge from the famine and civil war in Ethiopia and other parts of East Africa under the sponsorship of the Nationalities Service Center, Lutheran Children and Family Services, Church World Services Affiliate, Catholic Social Services and the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society. The impact of political unrest, civil war, and genocide in the 1990’s fostered many new refugees and political asylees from the nations of Liberia , Haiti , Sierra Leone , Congo , Angola , Rwanda , Nigeria , Somalia and the Sudan
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Word from the Chairman
I want to thank the Commission members that attended the forum held by the Welcoming Center for new Pennsylvanians at WHYY TV on May 18, 2009. The program was well attended and the panel participants discussed various issues related to immigrants including organizing businesses in Philadelphia. In addition, the forum started a dialogue concerning what is taking place in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods that has helped immigrants. As I indicated last month, the Welcoming Center has done a great job for all immigrants across our city.
Hopefully, many of you will attend the 34th Annual ODUNDE Festival Weekend that will be held June 12, 2009 through June 14, 2009: http://www.odundeinc.org/Index.htm
On Friday, June 12, 2009, we will host a “Business Forum for Liberia,” at the Federal Reserve Bank at 7th and Arch Streets. A number of prominent Liberian ministers will visit Philadelphia to discuss trade and investment opportunities in the Republic of Liberia.
More information @ Events & Programs
The Commission Genesis
RESOURCES GUIDE
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
COMMISSION MEMBERS DIRECTORY
Mayor Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrants Affairs
City hall
15th & Market
Philadelphia, PA 19141
P:215-817-9887
F:215-366-3698
