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Stay connected with International Institute of Buffalo happenings, news, interviews and other resources for the New American community and its supporters.

Apr 09
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IIB Welcomes 55 New Americans from 25 Countries

By In the Community, News
Jennifer Rizzo-Choi was invited to present while welcoming 55 New Americans from 25 countries as they took their citizenship oaths at a special U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at Iroquois High School. These New Americans are from: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Italy, Jamaica, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia,…
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Apr 07
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Kahlil Gibran: Arab American Heritage Month, Recognizing Immigrants and Refugees

By Education, News
In honor of Arab 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 highlight Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and philosopher whose works have left a lasting impact on literature and human thought worldwide. Gibran's ability to blend Eastern and Western…
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Apr 02
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Farouk El-Baz: Arab American Heritage Month, Recognizing Immigrants and Refugees

By News
  In honor of Arab 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 highlight Farouk El-Baz, an Egyptian American scientist whose work was instrumental in planning NASA's Apollo Program. He was part of the team responsible for selecting the lunar sites…
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Mar 31
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Jennifer Rizzo-Choi and Mayor Scanlon

Rizzo-Choi Honored by the City of Buffalo for Women’s History Month

By Education, News
Majority Leader for the Buffalo Common Council Leah Halton-Pope, Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, and Mayor Scanlon Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi was one of eight women honored during a ceremony held at Buffalo City Hall today to celebrate Women's History Month. Along with the accomplishments of the honorees, Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon recognized the contributions and achievements women have made throughout the City…
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Mar 28
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Sign Reads "Update"

March 2025 Newsletter

By Newsletter
The latest from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our March 2025 Newsletter. In this month's newsletter: Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi on the suspension of The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and how IIB is adjusting Community World Trivia coming Thursday, April 17 IIB is now on Bluesky IIB in the News A Spotlight on the…
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Mar 28
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Lea Salonga: Women’s History Month and Recognizing Women Immigrants and Refugees

By Education
Photo Credit: The Tony Awards - First Impressions  In honor of Women's History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrant and refugee women who have helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we celebrate Lea Salonga, the Tony Award-winning actress and renowned singer whose voice has left a lasting mark on musical theater. Maria Lea…
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Mar 27
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Policy Outsider logo

Rizzo-Choi Explains Navigating the Future on the Policy Outsider Podcast

By Media Mentions
Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi was a guest on Policy Outsider, a podcast from the Rockefeller Institute of Government that takes the listener “outside the halls of power to understand how decisions of law and policy shape our everyday lives.” On the program, she discusses the benefits that refugee resettlement services have in the community, and how the International of Buffalo…
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Mar 21
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Cristeta Comerford

Cristeta Comerford: Women’s History Month and Recognizing Women Immigrants and Refugees

By Education
Image: Erin Schaff/The New York Times In honor of Women’s History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrant and refugee women who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Filipino American Cristeta Comerford, the White House’s first female executive chef and its first executive chef of Asian descent. Cristeta Comerford was…
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Mar 19
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Record-breaking Student Participation at Model United Nations Competition

By News
Record-breaking Student Participation Highlights 21st Annual Model United Nations Competition The International Institute of Buffalo hosted its most successful Model United Nations competition in its 21 years of sponsoring the event. This year’s gathering beat last year’s competition as the largest ever, welcoming 789 students from 46 area high schools. The delegates represented 84 countries. Last year, 732 students represented 73…
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Mar 14
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Marlene Dietrich: Women’s History Month and Recognizing Women Immigrants and Refugees

By Education
In honor of Women’s History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrant and refugee women who’ve helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we spotlight Marlene Dietrich, a German American Actress known for her humanitarian efforts during World War II. Marie Magdalene Dietrich was born in Berlin, Germany, in December 1901.…
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