Immigrant Heritage Week 2021

Download: IHW 2021 - Immigrants Are Essential Poster by Jason Raish (@jasonraish), South Korean illustrator based in Brooklyn

April 12-18, 2021

In New York City, the ultimate city of immigrants, we have always known that immigrants are essential: immigrants make up half our city's workforce and during COVID-19 they came to represent a disproportionate share of the essential workforce in the city. Our city came to rely and continues to rely on immigrants, who also bore the brunt of the fallout of COVID-19. And while immigrants have continued supporting the city as essential workers, they also are stepping up to fill needs in our communities. From food distribution volunteers to those making sure their communities have the latest information and resources, and others who have helped advocate for New Yorkers in the health system, immigrant New Yorkers deserve our thanks and recognition for their invaluable contributions.

During this 17th Annual Immigrant Heritage Week (IHW)–Monday, April 12 through Sunday, April 18–the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) is proud to honor and celebrate the countless contributions of immigrant New Yorkers who have kept our city running.

Established in 2004, IHW pays homage to the legacy of April 17, 1907, the day in NYC history when 11,000 immigrants–the largest number in history–entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. This week-long celebration highlights the histories, unique cultures, and contributions of New York City's diverse immigrant communities.

This year's celebration will feature an exciting slate of virtual events designed by MOIA and community partners that build cross-cultural understanding between New Yorkers, celebrate immigrant culture and the arts, and highlight our collective work with NYC's diverse immigrant population. Through panel discussions, cultural programming, and community conversations, we seek to empower all New Yorkers to take pride in what makes our city one of the most inclusive cities in the world.

Events

All New Yorkers are invited to join the festivities! RSVP and keep up to date with the full schedule of events on Facebook.

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Monday April 12th

Virtual Exhibition Tour - Love Thy Neighbor: Immigration and the US Experience
10:00- 11:00:00 AM
Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Explore the Jewish immigrant experience in the virtual exhibition tour "Love Thy Neighbor: Immigration and the U.S. Experience," which features artifacts from the collection of the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Through explorations of language, work, community, and social activism, the tour will encourage participants to draw connections to other immigrant community experiences and is particularly suited to middle and high school-aged students.

Switzerland in NYC: A Scavenger Hunt
Consulate General Of Switzerland
Explore Switzerland’s past, present, and future in the Big Apple! In this week-long scavenger hunt in honor of Immigrant Heritage Week, enjoy the spring weather while discovering Swiss sites across NYC-- from famous to hidden, secret spots. Those who find the most spots will be eligible to win prizes. Registration opens soon! Follow us @swisscgny for more information.This event will take place from April 12 - April 18, the duration of Immigrant Heritage Week.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/switzerland-in-new-york-city-a-scavenger-hunt-tickets-147003492403

World Literature Festival
2:00- 3:00 PM
The New York Public Library (NYPL)
Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Week (April 12-18) and NYPL’s World Literature Festival (April 12-30) to discover our multilingual resources, books in other languages, free online events, book recommendations, and more. Programs will include conversation groups, book discussions, trivia programs, and author talks with internationally acclaimed authors including Ha Jin, Colombe Schneck, Don Miguel Ruiz, Alexander Stessin, Nicole Dennis-Benn, and Naomi Hirahara.
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2021/04/08/immigrant-heritage-week-world-literature-festival

Wednesday April 14th

Fireside Chat: Navigating Asian America: Theatre and Activism
5:00 PM
New York Theatre Workshop
The preconceived notions that exist within mainstream U.S. narratives about Asian and Asian American identities, cultures, and families perpetuate Asian and Asian American people as constant foreigners and political scapegoats. With the rise of Anti-Asian hate crimes in the country, Asian and Asian American artists are navigating how to advocate for their communities while also finding new ways in their artistic practice to celebrate resilience, survival and the ingenuity of ancestors throughout U.S. History. Join NYTW Community Engagement Associate Gaven Trinidad and artists Sergio Mauritz Ang, Carolina ??, Stefani Kuo, Roger Q. Mason, Dr. Sahar Ullah, for a conversation that hopes to bring both critical interrogation of institutionalized racism within the arts as well as healing for those who need it.
https://www.aaartsalliance.org/events/fireside-chat-navigating-asian-america-theatre-and-activism

Onnorokom Boishakh
4:00-5:00 PM
Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts
14th April is the first day of Bengali New Year. Members of Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts will produce a virtual event to welcome the Bengali New Year 1428.
Event will be streamed here: https://www.facebook.com/bipainc/

Architectural Acupuncture: How Design and Innovation Are Saving China's Villages-and America's Cities, too
8:00 - 9:00 PM
China Institute in America
How can design and innovation bring life back to an ailing community? It's a global challenge. Join us as XU Tiantian, one of China's most innovative architects, presents inspiring projects in Zhejiang's countryside and shares notes with Joel Mills of the American Institute of Architects about how great design can make a difference.

In the U.S., urban neighborhoods have suffered as the middle class has moved to the suburbs. But in China, ancient rural villages are crumbling as farmers flock to the new, glistening cities. A rural revitalization movement is beginning to tackle these problems, and architecture is playing a key role.

This event is co-presented with the American Institute of Architects.
https://www.chinainstitute.org/event/architectural-acupuncture-design-innovation-saving-chinas-villages-americas-cities/

Accompany Capital's 9th Annual Immigrant Heritage Week Awards
6:00-7:00
Accompany Capital
Each year Accompany Capital honors extraordinary Immigrant entrepreneurs and refugees who have dreamed big, created new businesses, set out on new paths, and are making valuable contributions to their communities and the this great, diverse, and vibrant city of ours.

This year's event – the 9th annual Accompany Capital Immigrant Heritage Awards - is a salute to all the hardworking New Yorkers who are Reimagining, Reopening, and Revitalizing our vibrant communities, immigrants & refugees who have come through this incredibly challenging year with new focus and resourcefulness.
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ehsd2umv33f3379d&llr=pvntbcdab

Thursday April 15th

Community Cooking
2:00- 3:000 PM
Brooklyn Public Library
In this series, we will be cooking live, sharing family recipes from members of the community. A week before each session, the recipe, a list of ingredients, and tools needed will be available on this page so you can cook along with us.

Interested in sharing a family recipe*? Please email us at cooking@bklynlibrary.org.

*Please don't send any recipes exactly as they appear in printed recipe books as these may have copyright restrictions.
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/event-series/community-cooking

Immigrant Heritage Week Celebration
6:00-7:00 PM
MOIA
Join the Mayor's office of Immigrant Affairs, Life of Hope, BIPA and COOPDanza for a virtual celebration of Immigrant Heritage Week 2021.

This year's event will feature performances by Haiain Creole band Alegba and Friends, a folkloric dance by the Bangladeship Institute for Performing Arts, and a collage of indegenous performances from North and South Native America, part of COOPDanza's International Indigenous Festival Pikajiraa Suma (Wayuu Resilience).

The program will also include video profiles of immigrant New Yorkers who stepped up to support their communities during their moments of greatest need and information on how to access city available programs and resources, especially during COVID-19.
https://www.facebook.com/nycimmigrants

Immigrant Heritage Week 2021: Onwards: The Future of Arab American Activism
7:00- 8:30 PM
BRIC
This program is generously supported by The National Endowment For The Arts Fund and Doris Duke Building Bridges Program.
As a new administration takes office in the midst of a global pandemic and deep divides, a new generation of Arab activists is expanding its political reach through education and organizing in Brooklyn and beyond. They're pursuing leadership roles and activating an Arab voter base to increase the community's influence and engagement about the issues they stand for -- whether it's immigration and affordable housing, or vaccine equity and criminal justice reform.
As part of our #BHeard Amplified initiative, we are hosting a town hall discussion about the biggest challenges facing the Arab community in the U.S. today and the future of activism for the nearly 4 million population.
http://on.nyc.gov/onwards

Friday April 16th

Far East Deep South: Document Screening and Discussion
6:00- 8:30 PM
New Americans Program, Queens Public Library
Far East Deep South follows a Chinese-American family's search for their roots in the Mississippi Delta, where they stumble upon surprising family revelations and uncover the racially complex history of Chinese immigrants in the segregated South. Please join us for a free screening of this award winning Documentary feature film and discussion with the production team.

You can see all of the QPL events for IHW here: http://connect.queenslibrary.org/1648?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=carousel&utm_campaign=immigrantheritage_programs

Saturday April 17th

QPL Honors Immigrant Heritage
Queens Public Library
Celebrate Immigrant Heritage week with events all weekend and into next week! Discussions, performances, information sessions, and much more are being offered.
http://connect.queenslibrary.org/1648?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=carousel&utm_campaign=immigrantheritage_programs&fbclid=IwAR24LVHB9UXv0RMmWEU0Fe2g9-QAgy59IavVpBkZnkaKYtvVZvzYWkG1eh8

What Is Your (G) Status? (G) Project Pop-In Debut with Art Crawl Harlem's Artist Residency Program, Boundaries & Connections: Art & Activism
1:00- 2:00 PM
Harlem Arts Foundation
The debut of Immigrants Are US: The (G)eneration Project (G) Pop-In What Is Your (G) Status? A collaboration with Art Crawl Harlem 2021 Artist Residency Program, Boundaries & Connections: Art & Activism. A 60-minute virtual experience of inspirational storytelling, exploring and appreciating powerful images of activism by selected artists on display in a historic Colonel Row house on scenic Governor's Island.
https://www.gproject.org/events/what-is-your-g-status-g-project-pop-in

Magos Herrera/Brooklyn Rider: Dreamers
8:00 PM
Carnegie Hall
Hear the "Dreamers," artists who kept the hopes of the oppressed alive with their music and poetry. Vocalist Magos Herrera and the always daring Brooklyn Rider perform treasures from the Ibero-American songbook set to texts by such literary giants as Octavio Paz, Federico García Lorca, and others who suffered under repressive regimes. These songs are reimagined in brilliant new arrangements that uplift and inspire.
https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2021/04/17/Magos-Herrerabr-Brooklyn-Rider-0800PM

Ellis Island: Gateway to a Dream, presented by Sundog Theatre
1:00-2:00 PM
Brooklyn Public Library
Ellis Island served as the portal for immigrants coming into the USA from 1892 to 1954. Before its closing, an estimated 12 million people passed through on their way to a new life in America. This one-hour musical geared towards young audiences as well as the entire family captures the essence of their journey. Six professional actors in period costumes weave this intriguing tale with dialogue and songs of their experiences traveling into America. They were filled with hopes and excitement to begin new lives, with some encountering obstacles along the way. This program artfully tells the story of how our ancestors began to call America their home. Today, many US citizens are descendants of those same immigrants.
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/events-for-youth-and-virtual-20210417

Crazy Talented Asians & Friends: An Evening of Live Comedy - Triumphing Over Quarantine!
8:00 Pm- 9:30 PM
Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall is proud to present its second iteration of Crazy Talented Asians & Friends, a live comedy showcase of Asian American performers. With the global COVID pandemic in its 2nd year, this exciting, energetic virtual program will chronicle how these artists are triumphing over their quarantine struggles through stand-up, sketch, and storytelling. Hosted by Chinese-American comedy sweetheart, Otter Lee and featuring rising East and South Asian comedy talents with a wide range of comedic voices as well as a special tribute to NYC's Chinatown, the festivities are sure to make for an exciting hour of programming and a dazzling part of your April. The show has a recommended audience age of 13 and over!
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/crazy-talented-asians-friends-live-comedy

Sunday April 18th

Emili Show
6:00- 7:00 PM
La Colmena
Emili Prado is an essential worker and a DACA recipient who has been in the forefronts fighting for immigration rights on Staten Island. She is a founder of Staten Island Dreamers and the campaign #MiVotoNuestroVoto. When the pandemic began Emili noticed that there was no new outlet directed towards the immigrant community on Port Richmond and saw the need to bring information directly to her community, so this is when she developed the "Emili Show." She has become he main source of information for the Latinx immigrant community on Port Richmond.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvd-2spjosGtcLbqrE4cCEKIOuFWXcoK43

Ute Lemper: Songs for Eternity
8:00 PM
Carnegie Hall
Experience the inspiring courage of composers and poets who created music despite the horrors of the ghettos and concentration camps during the Holocaust. Acclaimed chanteuse and actress Ute Lemper, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble, performs songs of rebellion, hope, defiance, and life-affirming resilience. Sung in Yiddish and German, these songs offer stark testimony to the best and worst in humanity.
https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2021/04/18/Ute-Lemper-0800PM

IHW 2021 Videos

These videos were created to spotlight real immigrant New Yorkers who have made important contributions to our communities, especially in the course of the pandemic. They are a testament to the fact that immigrants make our communities stronger.

Watch the videos here and at the links below, and share them on social media to help show that NYC stands with our immigrant neighbors.

Man Hong-Wan

Immigrant New Yorkers like Man Hong-Wan have been going the extra mile to protect the health of their communities. The Hong Kong-born New Yorker has been on the frontlines of the pandemic since it began, working as a NYC Health + Hospitals/Community Care nurse in Manhattan's Chinatown. As the only human contact that many of his Cantonese-speaking patients had at the height of the pandemic, Man put in extra effort to check in regularly in-person and over the phone with his patients to make sure that they were getting the care they needed. As Man deeply understands, it is vital that everyone receives affordable and comprehensive medical care attention, especially during a public health crisis. That is why all New Yorkers can receive health care regardless of their immigration status at NYC Health + Hospitals by calling 844-NYC-4NYC. Additionally, New Yorkers who cannot afford or do not qualify for health insurance may be eligible to receive low-cost or no-cost services through NYC Care at facilities of NYC Health + Hospitals in the five boroughs. Call 646-NYC-CARE to enroll or visit nyccare.nyc for more information.

Sample posting text for sharing on social media

As the only human contact for many of his elderly patients, Man Hong-Wan of @NYCHealthSystem went above and beyond to make sure they had the care and support they needed during #COVID19. #ImmigrantHeritageWeek #IHW2021 #ImmigrantsAreEssential
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRUGgz7Nkw0

We're proud to honor our immigrant healthcare workers this #ImmigrantHeritageWeek. #IHW2021 #ImmigrantsAreEssential
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRUGgz7Nkw0

Claudya Verdiner

Claudya Verdiners has worked to support her community during the pandemic by ensuring they remain safe and informed. After realizing that members of her Creole-speaking congregation were unaware of developments and resources related to the pandemic, and to address gaps in literacy, Claudya took it upon herself to share guidance and up-to-date information by recording and sharing voice messages on the messenger platform WhatsApp, which is widely used by immigrant communities. Thanks to Claudya, many in her community of Canarsie, Brooklyn have been able to access information about COVID-19 resources and policies, including rental assistance and eviction prevention services. However, this burden should not rest on volunteers. That is why the City has ensured that these resources and protections are available to all New Yorkers, no matter the language you speak and regardless of your immigration status. New Yorkers who have questions about how to access housing assistance or other City services can get help in their language by calling 311 and asking for the Tenant Helpline, or by visiting the Tenant Resource Portal.

Sample posting text for sharing on social media

Claudya is one of the countless immigrant New Yorkers who make our city stronger & more resilient every day. #ImmigrantHeritageWeek #IHW2021 #ImmigrantsAreEssential
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-zTIYslJ-s

Carlos Espinoza

Since 1973, Carlos Espinoza has worked in and owned a thriving bakery in Elmhurst, Queens. Throughout the pandemic, Carlos kept his bakery open while also providing food to community members in need, free of charge. Likewise, the City recognizes its important role in addressing the increased needs of New Yorkers, including food security. As we continue to face challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, any New Yorker in need – regardless of immigration status – can access free food at distribution sites throughout the five boroughs, and may even be eligible for home delivery. Learn more at nyc.gov/GetFood.

Sample posting text for sharing on social media

Even at the height of the pandemic, Carlos single-handedly kept his bakery open to make sure no one in need went without food. This #ImmigrantHeritageWeek, join us in recognizing that #ImmigrantsAreEssential! #IHW2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCRzKMOk5r0

Draft Newsletter/Email Blast

Help spread the word with this draft newsletter/email blast!

Social Media

Multilingual Social Media Posting Text

New York City is a proud city of immigrants, with more than 300 languages spoken in the five boroughs (and some estimates as high as 600!). You can find posting text in a dozen languages.

Graphics

Download: IHW 2021 - Immigrants Are Essential Poster by Jason Raish (@jasonraish), South Korean illustrator based in Brooklyn

Alt text: Text reads: Immigrant Heritage Week 2021, Immigrants are essential. Pictured is someone with a box of groceries, another is helping an older person put milk into their shopping cart while the older person holds an umbrella over the helper's head. Another group of two are also exchanging a bag of bread. Behind them are symbols of the five boroughs, such are the Unisphere, the SI ferry, Yankee Stadium, and Cony Island.

The NYC Skyline, there are doctors, EMT, nurses, and more helping our city, some are placed in a hard that is overlaying the skyline

Download IHW 2020 graphic by Brooklyn-based immigrant artist Feifei Ruan (@ruan0v0)

The NYC Skyline, there are doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, delivery persons, and more helping our city, some are placed in a hard that is overlaying the skyline

Download IHW 2020 graphic by Brooklyn-based immigrant artist Feifei Ruan (@ruan0v0)

Immigrant Heritage Week 2021

Events

IHW 2021 Videos

Man Hong-Wan

Sample posting text for sharing on social media

Claudya Verdiner

Sample posting text for sharing on social media

Carlos Espinoza

Sample posting text for sharing on social media

Draft Newsletter/Email Blast

Social Media

Multilingual Social Media Posting Text

Graphics

Suggested posting text