More than 1,300 policymakers, community organizers, academics and others in the immigrant-serving field attended the 2015 National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) from December 13 to 15, 2015, in New York City. This NIIC was the largest to date, and it engaged attendees from across the country in thought-provoking sessions and productive discussions across 11 tracks including Welcoming Communities, Academic Perspectives, and Adult Education and Workforce Development. Notable speakers included New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez. Three presidential candidates, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Governor Martin O’Malley and Senator Bernie Sanders, were also invited to share their thoughts and policy positions regarding immigration. A common theme among speakers was addressing recent spikes in anti-immigrant rhetoric while providing hope for comprehensive immigration reform.

The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) Public Education Institute Director Denzil Mohammed and Assistant Director Crystal Ye participated in the conference and attended a variety of sessions such as “How Can Academic Researchers and Community Activists and Advocates Best Work Together,” “Beyond the Single Story: How New Waves of Asian and African Migration are Transforming Receiving Communities,” and “Fixing Brain Waste,” a special session that featured Dr. James Witte, research director at the Institute for Immigration Research, a joint venture between The ILC and George Mason University. The session highlighted findings from Steps to Success: Integrating Immigrant Professionals in the United States, the survey for which was conducted by Dr. Witte and his research team.

The 2016 NIIC will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, and will be hosted by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.

Supportive social networks as well as English language skills are crucial factors in the economic prosperity of college-educated immigrants. These were some of the takeaways from the Boston launch of the report Steps to Success: Integrating Immigrant Professionals in the United States on November 5, 2015, at the Asian American Civic Association in Boston’s Chinatown. The report was published by IMPRINT. The findings of the report were presented by co-author Dr. James Witte, research director at the Institute for Immigration Research, a joint venture between The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) and George Mason University.

The report launch featured a panel discussion moderated by director of The ILC Public Education Institute Denzil Mohammed, a testimonial from Iraqi immigrant Rasha Noori, MD ARDMS, and remarks from both Chief of Economic Development for the City of Boston John Barros and Massachusetts Undersecretary for Workforce Development Ronald G. Marlow. Through spirited discussion, immigrant professionals in attendance sought tangible solutions to the barriers they faced in a host of industries. Other attendees acquired new knowledge to further their work in serving immigrants in the Greater Boston area.

Thousands of immigrant professionals were surveyed in Boston and around the country. The survey found that respondents’ social capital (number of supportive family and friends in the U.S.) and proficiency in English were both highly correlated factors of their economic success, which was measured by annual salary (“earnings success”), use of higher education (“skills success”) and employment in a managerial or professional occupation (“professional success”). Additional findings include:

• Living in the U.S. for six years or more was strongly correlated with higher incomes, lower rates of unemployment, higher rates of volunteering and better English skills.
• In Massachusetts, high-skilled workers who are reported to have limited English proficiency and foreign degrees have the highest unemployment rate among college-educated immigrants (8.8 percent).
• Boston-area respondents were 1.3 times more likely to have applied for U.S. professional licensure compared to respondents from all other areas.

The report also included recommendations for policymakers, service providers and funders.

This report launch was made possible by a collaborative effort among The ILC Public Education Institute, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians, WES Global Talent Bridge, IMPRINT and the Asian American Civic Association.

“I love being a business owner in Malden. It’s a great community and a great place to do business.”

Shane Smyth, owner of Hugh O’Neill’s Restaurant & Pub

Sixty attendees from across the commonwealth came to Malden for a walking tour of the city’s thriving immigrant-owned businesses on Thursday, August 27, 2015. Immigrant Entrepreneurs Revitalizing Malden: A Story Tour was organized by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in collaboration with the City of Malden and The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) to highlight the personal stories and economic contributions of the city’s many immigrant entrepreneurs.

Elected officials, municipal employees, bankers, not-for-profit directors and economic development personnel gathered at Malden City Hall where they were welcomed by Mayor Gary Christenson, who said, “The thing that really makes me proud to be the mayor of this great city is the rich diversity that exists in Malden.”

Mayor Christenson was followed by director of The ILC Public Education Institute Denzil Mohammed, who emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants whose businesses help to stabilize and grow local economies.

Attendees, including Rep. Paul Brodeur, State Senator Jason Lewis and Rep. Steven Ultrino, then toured the city’s immigrant-owned businesses and heard first-hand immigrant stories of determination, ambition and success.

Participants reunited after the tour at the ILC’s office, where they where welcomed by Founder and CEO Diane Portnoy, who gave an overview of the organization’s history and mission. In small groups, attendees discussed Malden’s economic immigrant integration model and the value of immigrant small businesses as part of local economic development strategies.

“There was a lot of helpful information and perspectives there that will inform our work going forward. There need to be more and more conversations like this one.”

Tensions between immigrant and African American communities are often noted but not always discussed resulting in divided communities that fail to prosper. Seeking to bring to the table real solutions to address this problem, the Public Education Institute at The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) hosted a free webinar, Building United Communities of Immigrants and African Americans, on October 8, 2015. Attendees from 36 states learned a variety of models and tools from six experts from across the nation.

The webinar examined theories, perspectives and on-the-ground methods applicable to the attendees’ work on immigrant integration, economic development and human relations. The ILC’s Denzil Mohammed opened with an overview of current data and research on immigrants in Changing Face of America: Portrait of the Foreign-born in the U.S. Then followed an engaging discussion on Replicable Models and Tools to Build Integrated Communities, where panelists gave practical approaches to forming relationships and building coalitions in the different communities they served. Rhonda Ortiz, Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, USC, moderated the panelists: Amaha Kassa, African Communities Together, Christine Sauvé, Welcoming Michigan, and Vanessa Carter, Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, USC. Julie Fisher-Rowe, The Opportunity Agenda, led the final module, Communication Strategies to Create Allies and Spread Your Message, presenting concrete messaging strategies that resonated with participants.

Focal points from the webinar:

• The immigration narrative needs to change based on the data, which shows immigrants as contributors to a more thriving economy for all residents.
• In communicating about immigrants facts alone can cause friction, but focusing on shared experiences and shared values between native- and foreign-born Americans can lead to productive conversations.
• Identify the overlapping issues that affect both immigrants and African Americans rather than focusing on the differences.
• Community leaders are invaluable resources, and establishing relationships with them is an integral way to bridge understanding and build coalitions.

Click here for recordings and resources from Building United Communities of Immigrants and African Americans.

The ILC Public Education Institute will continue to host free webinars on unique topics such as this. To be notified of the dates of the next free webinar, sign up here.

Diane Portnoy was recognized for her decades of dedication to giving immigrants a voice at the 2015 Keepers of the Dream Awards in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2015.

Keepers of the American Dream are identified by the National Immigration Forum as heroes who embody the spirit of immigrant achievement, contribute significantly to the well-being of immigrants in the United States and are advocates in every sense of the word for the value of immigrants and immigration to the nation. As the founder and CEO of The Immigrant Learning Center, Diane is one of these heroes.

In accepting the award, Diane said, “The United States was built by immigrants. They have always made this country special with their hard work, energy and creativity, and everyone who helps immigrants succeed helps this country succeed.”

Congratulations Diane! You certainly are a hero to the thousands of immigrants and refugees who have built better lives with the help of The Immigrant Learning Center.

Five winners were honored with 2015 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in front of 250 guests at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA, on May 7, 2015.

Governor Charlie Baker opened the cocktail reception expressing his admiration for all the nominees, who decided to look for opportunity in a different country. “That sort of ingenuity, that energy, that faith in tomorrow, that sense of purpose to build a better life for yourself your families and the people you are looking to serve, it’s what makes the world go round,” he said.

This fourth edition of the event brought together members of the state government, economic and community development, banking, media and business sectors to honor and celebrate the valuable contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs to the commonwealth. Master of ceremonies was Dr. J. Keith Motley, chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Diane Portnoy, ILC founder and CEO, praised the nominees’ accomplishments and thanked them for bringing their hands, skills, mind and spirit to the U.S.

Keynote speaker Jay Ash, MA secretary of Housing and Economic Development, highlighted the importance of immigrants as entrepreneurs, workers and taxpayers to local economic development. “Immigrants are making a difference in our budgets by contributing more than $1.8 billion annually in income tax and sales tax here in Massachusetts and contributing nearly $1.4 billion annually in local property taxes,” he said. According to Denzil Mohammed, director of The ILC Public Education Institute, this year’s 33 nominees have started more than 50 businesses, employ nearly 2,000 people and generated income and investment totaling more than one billion dollars.

All nominees received citations from their state and U.S. legislators before the winners were announced:

Business Growth:
Helene and Thomas Stohr from Switzerland, owners of swissbäkers in Allston and Reading

Neighborhood Business:
Damaris Pimentel from Dominican Republic, owner of Ultra Beauty Salon in Jamaica Plain

High-Tech Business:
Dries Buytaert from Belgium, co-founder and CTO of Acquia in Boston

Life Science Business:
Laxman Desai from India, founder and CEO of Toxikon Corp. in Bedford

Find out more about the winners below.

Do you know outstanding immigrant entrepreneurs in Massachusetts worthy of recognition? Tell us about them.

2015 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Growth
Helene and Thomas Stohr from Switzerland, owners of swissbäkers in Reading and Alston

Helene and Thomas Stohr founded swissbäkers to bring authentic Swiss fare to New England. Their dedication to simple and locally sourced was a hit with the Swiss community as well as native New Englanders. In nine years, swissbäkers has grown from a home kitchen to a 14,000-square-foot café and commercial bakery.

2015 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Neighborhood Business
Damaris Pimentel from the Dominican Republic, owner of Ultra Beauty Salon in Jamaica Plain

Damaris Pimentel opened Ultra Beauty Salon in Jamaica Plain in 1982 and has worked on improving her neighborhood for more then 30 years. She mentors other entrepreneurs, provides free haircuts to people in need and sits on the boards of both the Hyde Square Task Force and the Mount Pleasant Home.

2015 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, High-Tech Business
Dries Buytaert from Belgium, co-founder and CTO of Acquia in Burlington

Dries Buytaert began building Drupal, a free, open-source, website-building platform, at age 19. In 2007, he relocated to Massachusetts to found Acquia, which provides enterprise software like Drupal to create engaging digital experiences. By 2015, it powered one in 40 of the world’s websites.

2015 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Life Science Business
Laxman Desai from India, founder and CEO of Toxikon Corp. in Bedford

In 1977, Dr. Laxman Desai launched Toxikon Corporation, a pre-clinical contract research firm that provides testing for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. In 40 years, he’s built a 25-acre research and training facility in Bedford, expanded his business into four countries and trained more than 15,000 scientists.

Faith organizations have long been at the forefront of integrating immigrants and refugees as well as working with the receiving communities to welcome new Americans. With this in mind, The ILC Public Education Institute hosted a new version of its free online workshop on February 26, 2015. Talking to America about Immigrants and Immigration: Faith Perspectives gathered seven experts from across the U.S. to discuss their pioneering work and lend their expertise to attendees from 33 states.

The workshop broached a variety of topics relevant to the work of the attendees. The ILC’s Denzil Mohammed outlined the latest immigration information in “Data, Myths and Facts” before showing how to weave data and stories in “Positioning Immigrants as Assets.” Julie Fisher-Rowe of The Opportunity Agenda offered tips on using stories and values to achieve “Immigration Messaging that Works.” Finally, a panel discussion on “Faith Perspectives on Immigrant Integration: Models and Practices” featured a variety of presenters who each discussed best practices at the local and national levels to integrate immigrants and refugees. Moderated by Westy Egmont (Immigrant Integration Lab, Boston College), panelists included Leah Bergen (HIAS), Vanessa Carter (Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, USC), Patricia Maloof (Catholic Legal Network Immigration Network, Inc. and Catholic University of America), and Matthew Soerens (World Relief and Evangelical Immigration Table).

Main takeaways from the workshop include:

• Building on platforms of social justice, shared values and the collective impact movement can bring more stakeholders to the table.
• Values that resonate well with audiences include community participation and contribution, compassion, dignity, family and faith.
• Southern states are seeing the most striking growth in immigrant populations.
• Immigrants are revitalizing neighborhoods, creating local jobs and producing innovative technologies in fields from transportation to health care.

Many organizations offered assistance in promoting the free online workshop or providing resources beneficial to the attendees. These included OneAmerica, Catholic Charities, HIAS, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, the Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration at USC and Welcoming America.

You can also sign up to be notified of the dates for the next free online workshop.

On October, 8, 2014, The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. produced a panel discussion with the Cambridge Forum entitled Immigrant Struggles, Immigrant Gifts after its book by the same name. The discussion used America’s immigration history to bring perspective to today’s immigration issues. Panelists included contributors to the book William G. Ross and Deborah D. Moore as well as policy analyst Alex Nowrasteh.

Diane Portnoy, founder and CEO of The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc., moderated the panel. She framed the discussion by saying, “Each wave of immigrants, regardless of their native country, religion, ethnicity or skin color, has experienced what immigrants today are experiencing. Yet, they have gone on to make major contributions to the country… . With a greater understanding of our past, my hope is that we strive for a future with fewer struggles and more gifts.”

William G. Ross is the Lucille Stewart Beeson professor of law at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and a contributor to the book. He brought the prospective of one of the largest ethnic groups in America, Germans. Ross explained how Germans today are nearly invisible as an ethnic group but were once a very distinct group that was widely criticized for language, religious and cultural differences in ways that are reminiscent of criticisms leveled at recent waves of immigrant groups.

As a law professor, Ross also brought deep knowledge of America’s immigration legal history. He noted that until the late 19th century, immigration was largely a state-level issue. When the federal government started enacting immigration restrictions, they were discriminatory measures such as the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 and the quota system enacted in the 1920’s. That is why Ross equated the 1965 Immigration Act eliminating quotas with the Civil Rights Act in its impact on creating a more just society.

Deborah D. Moore, director of the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies and a Frederick G.L. Huetwell professor of history at the University of Michigan, is also a contributor to the book. She used the long history of Jewish immigration to this country as a case study for the American immigrant experience. Moore also illustrated how Jews have impacted social issues such as education and women’s rights. To explain the importance of immigrants in today’s society she said, “Immigration is integral to shaping our culture. Immigrants continue to bring new ideas and vitality, and they see things natives don’t see.”

The last panelist, Alex Nowrasteh, is the immigration policy analyst at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity. He began by saying that when Ellis Island was a critical entry point for immigrants to the United States it was called the “island of tears” for turning away just two percent of newcomers to this country. In contrast, today’s immigration laws are much more restrictive. For example, there is virtually no way for a low-skilled immigrant without family here to get a green card. He pointed out, “If those rules applied many years ago, most of us would not be here today.” He went on to describe the many economic benefits of immigration and concluded by saying, “It is rare that you get an economic policy change such as allowing more immigration that would be so beneficial to so many people, Americans and immigrants, with such a small cost to everyone involved.”

The audio broadcast will be available on NPR stations nationally through the National Public Radio satellite system. Thanks to WGBH Forum Network, the video of the event in its entirety is available on  YouTube:

America owes its economic strength and cultural richness to the diversity of its origins. On Saturday, June 21, 2014, at the Boston Public Library, that diversity was celebrated at an event recognizing the first Immigrant Heritage Month. The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) was pleased to partner with Welcome.us, the city councils of Boston and Cambridge, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition and the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians to plan and host this event. Featuring immigrant entrepreneurs Bettina Hein and Saul Perlera, it highlighted the significant contributions immigrants have made to Massachusetts.

Introduced by Cambridge City Councilor Leland Cheung, Hein made clear her reasons for coming to the U.S. from Germany; she wanted to spread her wings as an entrepreneur.

“I came here because where I come from girls don’t do that,” she said. “At my first university admissions interview they asked me why I wanted to study business and I said, ‘Well, I want to change the world. I want to do social good.’ The interviewer told me, ‘Missy, if you want to do that you should become a nurse,’ which shows you the picture of females that is still prevalent in that country.”

Hein would eventually found two companies, one of which is Pixability, Inc. in Boston’s North End.

Echoing Hein’s sentiments of America as a land of opportunity, Perlera spoke of his journey from El Salvador to Boston. “When I moved here I worked three jobs, I spoke no English and all I had were the clothes on my body,” he said. Over time, however, Perlera was able to learn not only English but also Italian and Portuguese. This skill eventually helped him to start his own firm, Perlera Real Estate, in the diverse East Boston area. “The United States is the only country where my story could be possible,” he said.

Also speaking at the event were Chief of Health and Human Services for the City of Boston Felix G. Arroyo and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu. Performers included six-year-old ranchera singer Josue Giron and flutist Tito Lugo.

 

Seven winners in four categories were honored with 2014 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in front of more than 200 guests at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA, on May 8. All 35 nominees were outstanding examples of Massachusetts entrepreneurs who, as noted by ILC founder and CEO Diane Portnoy, “revitalize depressed neighborhoods, create new technologies, make life-saving discoveries, create jobs, pay taxes and help form the backbone of this country.”

Master of ceremonies Richard A. Davey, Jr., secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and ILC trustee, reinforced those sentiments. “We couldn’t be prouder to count you among the residents of Massachusetts,” he said, before the nominees were given legislative citations and their achievements recognized in a memorable slideshow.

This year’s winners were:

Life Science Business:
Josef von Rickenbach from Switzerland, chairman and CEO of PAREXEL International Corp. in Waltham

High-Tech Business:
Dr. Fauzia Khan and Mansoor Khan from Pakistan, founders of Alere Analytics in Lowell

Business Growth:
Fitzroy Alexander from Grenada, founder and owner of Traditional Breads, Inc. in Lynn

Neighborhood Business:
Rosa and Nisaury Tejeda and Victoria Amador from the Dominican Republic, founders of Tremendous Maid LLC

Find out more about the winners below.

Now in its third year, The 2014 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Awards brought together members of the economic development, community development, banking, media, state government and diplomatic fields to honor the valuable contributions of Massachusetts immigrant entrepreneurs.

Do you know outstanding immigrant entrepreneurs in Massachusetts worthy of recognition? Tell us about them.

Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Life Science Business

Josef von Rickenbach from Switzerland, chairman and CEO of PAREXEL International Corp. in Waltham

Since founding PAREXEL International Corp. in 1982, Josef von Rickenbach has guided PAREXEL through 32 years of technological, market and regulatory changes. By 2014, PAREXEL had helped to develop 95 percent of the 200 top-selling biopharmaceuticals on the market. It has more than 15,100 employees in 50 countries.

“It is truly a great honor to receive this award, which represents all of PAREXEL’s employees who contribute so much to the biopharmaceutical industry, our clients and to those who benefit most, namely patients,” he said.

Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, High-Tech Business

Dr. Fauzia Khan and Mansoor Khan from Pakistan, founders of Alere Analytics in Lowell

Husband and wife Dr. Fauzia Khan and Mansoor Khan founded Alere Analytics (formerly DiagnosisONE) in 2003. In 2012, it was purchased by Alere Inc. Mansoor serves as chief executive officer, and Fauzia is the chief medical officer of this medical informatics company.

Alere Analytics provides the health care industry with the world’s largest library of evidence-based medical knowledge. Featuring more than 30,000 clinical rules, the platform ensures improved patient care, fewer errors and better clinical outcomes.

Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Growth

Fitzroy Alexander from Grenada, founder of Traditional Breads, Inc. in Lynn

Fitzroy Alexander worked his way from baker to business owner with an emphasis on job creation. His first business, Signature Breads, employed 300 people when he sold it in 1998. The next year, he founded Traditional Breads, Inc., a commercial bakery that experienced 37 percent revenue growth between 2010 and 2013.

For his success, Alexander credits his nearly 180 employees, who come from 20 different countries. He said, “I am who I am because of my partners. They’re not my employees. I work for them because without them I am nothing.”

Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Neighborhood Business

Rosa and Nisaury Tejeda and Victoria Amador from the Dominican Republic, founders of Tremendous Maid LLC

Rosa Tejeda left the Dominican Republic for the U.S. 20 years ago to find better opportunities for her children. Her daughters, Victoria Amador and Nisaury Tejada, graduated from Cornell University and Boston College, respectively.

In 2010, mother and daughters started Tremendous Maid LLC, which has grown to more than 40 employees and a burgeoning list of clients. It was named the 2013 Best House Cleaners by Boston Magazine and Small Business of the Year by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street.