Skip to main content

Jeff Mayne

Azar Nafisi: Women’s History Month and Recognizing Women Immigrants and Refugees

By Education
In honor of Women’s History Month, we are recognizing the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrant and refugee women who’ve helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight critically acclaimed Iranian American author and English Literature Professor Azar Nafisi. Azar Nafisi was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1948. Her father served as the youngest mayor in Tehran’s…
Read More

Madge Sinclair: Black History Month and Recognizing Notable Black Immigrants and Refugees

By Education, History
 Madge Sinclair In honor of Black History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable black immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we recognize Emmy award-winning Jamaican-American actress Madge Sinclair. Madge Dorita Sinclair was born Madge Dorita Walters in 1938 in Jamaica. After graduating from the Shortwood College for Women,…
Read More

Rizzo-Choi Talks Federal Funding Freeze with WNYC

By In the Community, Media Mentions, News
In case you missed it, a reporter for the flagship NPR station WNYC in New York City recently spoke with Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi to discuss the more than 1,000 refugees across the state left in limbo following the new federal administration’s freeze on funding, including for already contracted and completed work, to resettlement agencies doing integration.  In the feature,…
Read More

IIB Welcomes 30 New Americans from 15 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 30 New Americans from 15 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in downtown Buffalo this morning. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Burma, Canada, China, Congo(Kinshasa), Dominican Republic,…
Read More

Dr. Nehkonti Adams: Black History Month and Recognizing Notable Black Immigrants and Refugees

By Education, History
Dr. Nehkonti Adams In honor of Black History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable black immigrants and refugees who've helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we highlight Dr. Lieutenant Commander Nehkonti Adams, an Infectious Disease Physician for the United States Navy and a humanitarian. Nehkonti Adams was born in Monrovia,…
Read More

Alix Idrache: Black History Month and Recognizing Notable Black Immigrants and Refugees

By Education, History
Alix Idrache In honor of Black History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable black immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today we highlight Alix Idrache, a Haitian-born Army captain and pilot who was vital in supporting relief efforts after the deadliest earthquake and natural disaster of 2021.…
Read More

IIB Welcomes 50 New Americans from 25 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 50 New Americans from 25 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this morning. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Burundi Canada, Congo, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, South Korea, …
Read More

Michaela DePrince: Black History Month and Recognizing Notable Black Immigrants and Refugees

By Education, History
Michaela DePrince   In honor of Black History Month, we will recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential black immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we spotlight Sierra Leonean–American ballerina and humanitarian Michaela DePrince, a standout soloist with the Boston Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. Michaela DePrince was born Mabinty Bangura,…
Read More

Rizzo-Choi Speaks with WKBW on Suspension of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

By News
In case you missed it, WKBW TV anchor Jeff Russo stopped by our offices to learn how President Trump’s new executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) will affect IIB's operations and refugee resettlement locally. Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi addressed the historical merits of the program and how the local economy and business infrastructure could be impacted moving…
Read More
New Americans taking the oath of citizenship

IIB Welcomes 50 New Americans from 21 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 50 New Americans from 21 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this morning. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo (Kinshasa), Cuba, Jamaica, South Korea, Nigeria, Philippines,…
Read More