IIB would not be able to make WNY a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees were it not for the great people on our team and in the community.
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Show your support for the International Insititute of Buffalo by purchasing gear sporting a design that celebrates Buffalo's history of welcoming people from around the globe. The design is inspired by the US Stars and Stripes and features buffalos representing 195 flags of countries and ethnic communities of the world. Twenty percent of the proceeds from each purchase will go…
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In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize the scientific, economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we spotlight three-time Grammy award winner Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez—professionally known as Jon Secada. Born October 4, 1961, in Havana, Cuba, Jon Secada spent his earliest years living amidst…
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We were honored to welcome 50 New Americans from 24 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this week. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Bangladesh, Burma, Burundi, Canada, Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Lebanon, Liberia, Pakistan, Portugal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand,…
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In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the scientific, economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrants and refugees who've helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we spotlight Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Assistant Conductor Fernanda Lastra of Argentina. Fernanda Lastra was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Her passion for music started at just…
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The latest from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our September 2024 Newsletter. In this month's newsletter: Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi comments on people who lie about immigrants and refugees for political gain Information on our next fundraiser, The Refugees of Comedy! The date for Model UN 2025 has been set A spotlight on the people who…
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We were honored to welcome 37 candidates from 20 while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in Buffalo recently. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, China, Congo (Kinshasa), India, Iraq, Italy, Libya, Mexico, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, United Kingdom, Uruguay,…
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The Refugees of Comedy Wednesday, November 20, 2024 @ 6:00 PM WNED Studios, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202 Join IIB for a night of stand-up comedy featuring internationally touring comedians! After a sold-out performance last year, Vietnamese refugee and comedian Thom Tran is back to support IIB. This time, he'll bring his friends, Jose Sarduy & Jose Barrientos, to…
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In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the scientific, economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrants and refugees who've helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we spotlight Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, professionally known as Shakira. Born February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira's passion for the arts started very young. At four…
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From Left to Right: Volunteer Megan Gerrity, IIB's Steve Bosco, IIB's Dawn Obe Being a good neighbor starts with a Welcome! Recently, community members came to the International Institute of Buffalo campus to paint "Welcome" signs in the languages of the New Americans we are currently resettling. The works of art will now proudly hang in newly-arrived refugee families' homes.…
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