Recap: The Hello Neighbor Network 2022 Convening
As we look ahead to the 2023 Convening, we reflect on the many joys, connections, and lessons from last year’s event. Read below for some highlights.
Overview:
The 2022 Convening occurred June 7-9, welcoming over forty nonprofit leaders to the Steel City. Participants represented US nonprofits that welcome, support, and uplift refugee and immigrant neighbors. In a nod to Pittsburgh’s infrastructure and the connective work of welcoming, the 2022 Convening centered the theme, ‘Building Bridges of Belonging.’
We are so grateful to everyone who brought their energy, expertise, openness, and authenticity to this event, and are continually in awe of our Network community.
Reflections from participants:
“Just when I needed the reset and tank filling, there you all were with gifts of connection, news, opportunities for reflection and the reminder that we are not alone in this work.” — 2022 Convening Participant
“This event was extremely beneficial, and I wish I had had it a few years ago when I was the only one at the org[anization] and didn’t have staff support and didn’t know what I was doing.” — 2022 Convening Participant
“It was such a beautiful convening and it truly felt amazing to be among others who are navigating the same space of welcoming new neighbors.” — 2022 Convening Participant
Speakers and Facilitators
Nazanin Ash, ‘The Work of Welcome’
Nazanin Ash is the CEO of Welcome.US, a national initiative built to inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans as they welcome and support those seeking refuge. Through her fireside chat, Nazanin provided a grounding, powerful, and thought-provoking foundation for the remainder of the Convening.
Dr. Suzy Ismail, ‘Improving Cultural Competence: A Workshop on Working with Clients From Collectivist Cultures’
Dr. Suzy Ismail is an award-winning professor, author, communicator, and diversity consultant. Founding director of the New Jersey-based Cornerstone Marriage and Family Intervention, Dr. Ismail has been a Network member since 2021. At the 2022 Convening, she discussed building connection across culture and difference.
From a participant: “Dr. Suzy inspired an entire room with concrete strategies we can all take back and use immediately…So helpful. So useful.”
Basma Alawee, ‘Telling Our Stories: Refugee Storytelling Workshop’
A 2022 Network Fellow and head of the Jacksonville-based Weavetales, Basma Alawee is an award-winning advocate for immigrants and refugees. Pulling from her lived experience as an Iraqi refugee, Alawee shared how we can support and empower others to tell their own stories.
From a participant: “[Basma’s] storytelling workshop was powerful…I will take those principles back and they will help me share values and dispel misconceptions!”
Panelists and Session Leaders
In addition to the above speakers, panelists and session leaders shared their knowledge and insight.
Make Your Grant Proposals Shine: Advice From Local Funders
- Chris Ellis (The Pittsburgh Foundation)
- Shani Lasin (FISA Foundation)
- Hilary Brown (Hillman Family Foundations)
- Michelle Figlar (Heinz Endowments)
Building and Sustaining Communities of Welcome: A Panel on Mobilizing
Communities
- Marie Groarck (Schultz Family Foundation)
- Lucretia Keenan (Community Sponsorship Hub)
- Zack Block (Philanthropist & Activist)
Welcome Bridge Builders
- Sloane Davidson (Hello Neighbor)
- Mayor Ed Gainey (Mayor’s Office of Pittsburgh)
- Dr. Ezz-Eldin Moukamal (Hello Neighbor Board)
- Miguel Sague, Jr. (Council of the Three Rivers Indian Center)
Building Bridges of Belonging
- Robert Burack (Brocade Studio)
- Ebtehal Badawi (International Artist)
Successful Strategies for Workforce Integration: An Employment Panel
- Isabel Schroeder (World Education Services)
- Kazam Hashimi (Hello Neighbor)
- Bryan Williams (Staffmark)
- Rebecca Fishman (Upwardly Global)
Meet the Movement Makers, Leveraging Relationships for Change, and Staying Power
- Robert Burack (Brocade Studio)
How Refugees Navigate Race & Racism in the U.S: A Research Primer
- Cierra Abellera (UMass Amherst)
- Charlie Williams (Tufts)
- Yumeka Kawahara (Tufts)
Participants
Attendees at the 2022 Convening included Fellows, Members, and Learning Collaborative Leaders from around the country, all tirelessly dedicated to the work of welcoming. These individuals offered unique perspectives and contributions, and made up the core of our Convening community.
Performers, Vendors, and Funders
A variety of musical guest, poets, and local food vendors — many with lived migration experience — brought their talents to the 2022 Convening. We are so grateful for their inspiration and partnership. Click the links below to explore all they have to offer.
Artists/Performers/Instructors:
- Danielle Obisie-Orlu, 2021–2022 Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County
- Jemiriye, musician and vocalist, founder of EWA Global Initiative
- Ebtehal Badawi, visual artist, creator of the Pittsburgh Builds Bridges artwork
- Heather Manning, yoga instructor
- John Tai, magician
Food Vendors:
Finally, we want to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, without whom the 2022 Convening would not have been possible.
Interested in sponsoring the 2023 Convening? Check out our sponsorship deck and contact Danielle Grooms at danielle@helloneighbor.io / (412) 567–3946.
Learn more about the Hello Neighbor Network. The Hello Neighbor Network accepts applications for Fellows every fall. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when applications open.
