Nicole Kruger
My name is Nicole Kruger. Being at The Welcoming Center taught me that I am not less intelligent for not knowing a language well, but that I am very capable of still being the person I was in my country with the same and better capabilities to achieve whatever I set my mind to do.
Mariama Korka Diallo
I am Mariama Korka Diallo, a new immigrant from Guinea, West Africa. When I first arrived in the United States, I felt so alone. I didn’t know many people, and it was winter—the first time I had ever seen snow, coming from a warm place.
Natasha Smirnova
Hello there! I’m Natasha, hailing from the enchanting and chilly city of St. Petersburg, Russia. A creative soul with a passion for exploring, I wear multiple hats as a photographer, designer, and AI trainer. Not too long ago, my adventurous squad consisting of myself, my youngest son Max, and our loyal dachshund Kyzia moved to Philadelphia.
Kamakshi Arora
Kamakshi immigrated from her home in Bombay to the U.S. in 2014 in pursuit of an undergraduate degree from NC State in Raleigh, North Carolina. She received help through the university navigating her visa and other U.S. immigration policies. She was 18, on her own in a foreign country, and often felt shy and out of place.
Call to Action
Immigrants are a driving force behind America’s continued prosperity. But in the face of widespread misinformation, misleading narratives, and harmful rhetoric, the truth can often get lost. Let’s focus on the facts and set the record straight.
Mohammed Aqlan
Chef Mohammed Aqlan, along with his grandmother’s recipes and infectious smile, is bringing a taste of Yemeni culture to Philadelphia. And no one seems more surprised by this than the chef himself.
Shirin Karsan
This year, The Welcoming Center is very pleased to honor Shirin Karsan with the 2024 Solas Award. Shirin is an unwavering advocate for global peace, with an inspiring dedication to the promise of American pluralism and democracy. She builds bridges, breaks down barriers, and promotes peace both locally and globally.
Amina Aliako
This year at Solas, Amina Aliako will be the recipient of our inaugural Anne O’Callaghan Award. Amina’s immigration journey and her experience as a newcomer looking for opportunity in Philadelphia is an inspiration to our community. She is a remarkable and resilient woman, who has fought tirelessly to provide for and protect her family, while never turning off the light of her own dreams and ambitions.
Carly (Riman) Cai: A Participant From China
Before The Welcoming Center I did not feel like I was part of anything and would walk by the side of the street but now I can walk in the middle of the street, be myself, speak loudly, confidently, and powerfully.
It Takes a TWC Village
Melissah built her assurance, pushed her peers to advocate for themselves, and nurtured her networking skills. She was able to identify and understand her capabilities and use them to push her career forward.