Harvard professor Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. states, “if you scratch an American family, sooner or later, you’ll find an immigrant ancestor.”  Throughout our city’s history, Malden has been strengthened and shaped by the contributions made by immigrants: from the variety of main street businesses to our cultural parades and traditions.  Each immigrant has a unique story to share, born of their experiences in their country of origin and their motivation to risk all to come to the United States. This program will explore some of Malden’s most fascinating immigrant stories of struggle and resilience that helped create one of the most culturally diverse communities in the Northeast.  The program will be held on Monday, September 14 at 2 p.m. followed by Q & A and time to share your own personal or family’s journey.

Speakers include Malden Historical Society President John Tramondozzi, Mai Du of the Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy and founder of the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition (GMAACC), Diane Portnoy, founder and CEO of The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (The ILC), and hosted by The ILC Public Education Institute Director Denzil Mohammed  and Malden Library Director Dora St. Martin.

Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together immigrants, refugees, and long-time residents to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.  At a time when political rhetoric has deepened divisions, and the COVID-19 pandemic has renewed anti-immigrant sentiment, Welcoming Week reminds us to double down on our inclusive vision and find new ways to bring together people across lines of difference to develop greater understanding and mutual support.

The program is co-sponsored by The Immigrant Learning Center and the Malden Public Library:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ImmigrantLearningCenter/events/

Please register to join us via Zoom at :

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f5Fx6qRjRMa3tChLWTJ8Hg