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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.

May 02
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Betty Nguyen: Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

By History, News
In honor of Asian & Pacific 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 Betty Nguyen, an award-winning Vietnamese American news anchor. Betty Nguyen was born in September 1974 in Saigon, South Vietnam. Her father served in the United States…
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May 01
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Ralph Henry Baer: Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month

By History, News
In honor of Jewish 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 German American inventor and engineer, Ralph Henry Baer. Ralph Baer was born in March 1922 to a Jewish family in Germany. Due to anti-Jewish legislation, he was expelled…
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Apr 30
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April 2025 Newsletter

By Newsletter
The latest from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our April 2025 Newsletter. In this month's newsletter: Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi on the challenges that are before us Community World Trivia Results IIB is now on Bluesky IIB in the News A Spotlight on the People who make IIB great Welcoming Our Newest American Citizens Arab American…
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Apr 25
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IIB Welcomes 30 New Americans from 20 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 30 New Americans from 20 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at a special U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at the Southtowns YMCA in West Seneca. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Bangladesh, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria,…
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Apr 21
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Dr. Huda Zoghbi: 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 Dr. Huda Zoghbi, a Lebanese American geneticist who has significantly advanced our understanding of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Huda Yahya Zoghbi was born in June 1954 in…
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Apr 17
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2025 Community World Trivia Results: The Bird Brains Win Title of “Buffalo’s Most Globally Smart!”

By Education, Events
International smarts, camaraderie, laughs, and much enthusiasm – results are officially in following another successful and festive Community World Trivia competition, hosted again this year on the Roswell Park campus. Trivia aficionados once again gathered on the Roswell Park campus to test their knowledge, show their enthusiasm, and enjoy some dinner, all in support of the International Institute of Buffalo…
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Apr 17
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In Case You Missed It! Rizzo-Choi Explains Federal Policy Impacts on WNY with BTPM NPR

By In the Community, Media Mentions, News
In case you missed it, Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi recently stopped by the Buffalo Toronto Public Media NPR to chat with "What's Next?" anchor Jay Moran on how recent federal policy, including the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), impacts Western New York and IIB operations. Rizzo-Choi also touched on the positive community response, broke down the differences…
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Apr 14
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Dr. Mona Hanna: 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 Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, an Iraqi American professor, pediatrician, and public health advocate whose groundbreaking research helped expose the Flint water crisis. Mona Hanna-Attisha was born in Sheffield,…
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Apr 11
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Help Refugees Without Spending Any Money…

By News
We need your help. In 2024 alone, upstate agencies assisted 6,785 people as they rebuilt their lives. Since 2017, NYSESRP funding from Albany has sustained and supported refugee resettlement agencies as they do the vital work of empowering refugees to become economically and socially self-sufficient as they put down roots in our communities. Nationwide, 50% of resettlement agencies closed during…
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