Welcome to Season 3!

Immigrants Mean Business. But What Happens If New Americans Are No Longer Welcome?

Immigrants make up roughly 1-in-4 of the business owners in America. They are shop owners, freelancers, side-hustlers, and more. Together they contribute millions of jobs to the economy each year. Many local leaders are working to ensure that their cities and communities are welcoming to immigrants. But there are a variety of challenges immigrants and people of color face, particularly when it comes to starting a business that provides steady income for their families. Changes to immigrant policy and the spread of the coronavirus had made these issues far worse. Immigrant entrepreneurship is the key to revitalizing our economy as well as truly making America great.

As T'Challa from Black Panther reminds us, "more connects us than separates us." When Chadwick Boseman's character T'Challa speaks these words to the UN Assembly, he casts a vision for a new Wakanda that welcomes all people. What would a New America look like under this same vision?

"In times of crisis, the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers."

-- King T'Challa

This season, we'll discuss:

• How racism and ethnocentrism threaten jobs and economic growth.
• Places where populations are shrinking and the plans to bounce back.
• Cities where immigrants are helping to revitalize local economies.
• Organizations supporting more welcoming cities and communities.
• How newer Americans are shaping the future.

About Welcoming America:

During our third season, we’ve partnered with Welcoming America to help share the stories of foreign-born peoples who have come to call America home. Welcoming America is leading a national movement of cultivating inclusive communities. They work with non-profits and local governments, providing tools and resources to help make cities places where everyone can build a stronger nation together.

Helpful links:

https://www.welcomingamerica.org/

https://research.newamericaneconomy.org/

https://certifiedwelcoming.org/

Key Questions:

• How welcoming is your city? Check out the NAE's cities index to see how it measures up. [see the Chicago example]
• What makes for a welcoming city? Learn what it takes for cities to become certified as welcoming places.
• How have immigrants contributed to the local economy? Explore the map to find out.
• How do we create home together? Discover Welcoming Week this September.

Stay tuned!

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