The latest from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our May 2025 Newsletter. In this month's newsletter: Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi on how IIB has always been the Ellis Island of Western New York IIB is now on Bluesky How you can help our new neighbors beat the heat Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage…
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Immigrants and refugees add to the vibrancy of our nation. As a nation of immigrants and refugees, America has been the historical destination of “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” and those who are persecuted for their race, religion, political opinion, gender, or social group. In these politically divisive times, it's easy to get distracted and swept up in the…
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As the 2024 Olympics kick off, we are spotlighting world-class immigrant athletes who are or have competed for the U.S. National Team. Today, we spotlight the most decorated women’s bobsledder in history, Kaillie Humphries. Born September 4, 1985, Kaillie Humphries grew up in Alberta, Canada. Her passion for sports initially focused on the slopes with Alpine skiing. At 16, Humphries…
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In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight aerospace engineer, Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne. Camille Wardrop Alleyne was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1966. At the age of 17, she immigrated to the United…
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IIB would not be able to make WNY a better place for and because of immigrants and refugees if it were not for the great people on our team and in the community.
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In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Florida State Representative Lisa Dunkley. Lisa Dunkley was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1972. At 23, she immigrated to the United States with her infant daughter and siblings,…
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Intro to Community Interpreting Join us for a four-hour course covering the most basic foundational principles of community interpreting. Open to interpreters of all levels, Introduction to Community Interpreting is a training session meant for beginners in the field of interpreting but also serves as a great refresher course for already seasoned professionals who like to keep their foundational knowledge…
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In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Winsome Earle-Sears. Winsome Earle-Sears was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1964. At the age of six, she immigrated to the United States with her…
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The International Institute of Buffalo helped welcome 40 New Americans from 21 countries as they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at the Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse in downtown Buffalo this morning. These New Americans are from: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Canada, China, France, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Libya, Pakistan,…
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In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we highlight Austrian American actor, Peter Lorre. Peter Lorre was born László Löwenstein in Rózsahegy, Hungary, in 1904, shortly after his parents, German-speaking Jews, relocated there for work. When he…
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In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Taiwanese scientist and inventor., Dr. Peter Tsai. Peter Tsai was born in Taiwan in 1952. Growing up on his family’s farm, he studied…
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