Local.Global.Nevada (L.G.N)

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Immigrants represented nearly 1 in 5 workers in America (around 19%).

The largest industries employing immigrants include:
• healthcare,
• education,
• construction,
• transportation,
• hospitality,
• professional services. 

Research consistently shows that many immigrants arrive highly educated, but a large percentage cannot immediately work in their original professions. Millions of immigrants in the U.S. have college or advanced degrees earned abroad, but many work below their qualification level because licenses, credentials, or work experience are not fully recognized in the United States. 

Final Episode of the Season 1 of L.G.N. is about the reality many immigrants face when they come to the United States already educated, experienced, and successful in their professions — but still have to start over. In this episode, we talk with an immigrant who came to America as an adult and managed to rebuild her career as a dentist while navigating licensing requirements, workforce challenges, and adapting to a completely new system. We discuss what it truly takes to transfer professional experience to the U.S., the sacrifices behind that journey, and why so many immigrant stories go far beyond simply “finding a job” — they are about rebuilding a future from the ground up.

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In Episode 9 of L.G.N., I meet with Princess Kubuya to talk about what it really looks like for immigrants to navigate employment rules and workforce participation in the U.S. Princess, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, came to Reno in 2016 with her father and siblings and is now the first in her family to graduate from the Institution of Higher Education (University of Nevada, Reno) with a degree in criminal justice. We talk about her journey, the challenges of understanding work limitations as an immigrant and a student, and how those rules shape opportunities, choices, and the path forward. It’s an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and what it takes to build a future.

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In this Episode of L.G.N., I sat down with Amanda Mundt, NNIC’s Volunteer Program Coordinator, to talk about community response and what it really looks like when local organizations, churches, and advocates come together to support immigrant families. We had a very real conversation about the gaps, the challenges, and also the powerful ways people show up—whether it’s through volunteering, partnerships, or simply being present. This episode gives a closer look at the human side of this work and why community support plays such a critical role in helping families feel welcomed, supported, and able to rebuild their lives.
If after watching this episode, you would like to get involved and become a volunteer, please leave your comment below, and our team will get in contact with you.

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In this episode of Local. Global. Nevada, I speak with Walid Sabooryar about the deeply personal experience of family reunification. Following our previous episode that explored the legal framework behind the process, this conversation focuses on the human side of immigration—what it means to wait for loved ones, navigate uncertainty, and hold onto hope while family members remain separated by borders. Walid shares his journey of bringing family members to the United States, the emotional and practical challenges along the way, and the resilience required to rebuild family life after years of separation. His story reminds us that behind every immigration case is a family striving to be together again.

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In Episode 6 of Local. Global. Nevada., I sit down with immigration legal represntative Annie Allen to talk about what many immigrant families experience when trying to reunite with their significant others. In this conversation, we focus on the legal side of family reunification: how the process works, who is eligible to petition for family members, and why waiting times and visa backlogs can keep families separated for years. Annie also shares insights into some of the most common challenges families face while navigating the immigration system and explains why it is so important to work with qualified immigration attorneys or accredited representatives. We also discuss the risks of relying on unauthorized practitioners and how families can better protect themselves while going through this complex process. My goal for this episode is to help make the legal framework of family reunification clearer and more accessible for anyone trying to understand how these systems affect real families.

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In this powerful episode of Local. Global. Nevada., we explore the strength, adaptability, and quiet leadership of immigrant women in our community.

Behind every resettled family is a woman navigating language barriers, cultural transitions, employment challenges, and the emotional weight of rebuilding life in a new country. Despite experiencing displacement, instability, and trauma, immigrant women often serve as the backbone of their families — fostering resilience, stability, and hope for the next generation.

This episode highlights how the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) is intentionally investing in women through its Women’s Empowerment Initiative, including the “She Thrives” program. We discuss how access to English language education, peer support groups, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming creates pathways not just for survival — but for confidence, independence, and long-term success.

If you care about integration, equity, and building a stronger Northern Nevada, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of L.G.N — Local. Global. Northern Nevada., we continue our conversation with immigrant families who call Reno home, diving deeper into the stories that shape our shared community.

From first impressions of life in Northern Nevada to the everyday moments that define belonging, families share how they are building roots, navigating new systems, and passing cultural traditions on to the next generation. These personal reflections reveal not only the challenges of starting over, but also the strength, resilience, and contributions that enrich our city.

Episode 4 offers another opportunity to connect with the people next door—reminding us that understanding begins with listening, and community is built through shared stories.

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In this episode of L.G.N — Local. Global. Northern Nevada., we turn our focus close to home and meet the people who make Reno the vibrant, diverse community it is today.

Behind every immigrant family is a story of courage, adaptation, and hope. In Meet Your Neighbor, you listen to personal journeys of families who now call Reno home—sharing what it means to build a life in a new place, navigate cultural transitions, and create a sense of belonging while honoring their roots.

Through honest conversations and lived experiences, this episode highlights the everyday realities of immigrant families, the challenges they face, the contributions they bring, and the role community plays in helping newcomers thrive.

This is an invitation to see your neighbors through a deeper lens—one story at a time.

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In this episode of L.G.N — Local.Global.Nevada., we explore how recent shifts in federal refugee policy are reshaping the resettlement landscape in our region.

From changes in funding and admission priorities to evolving executive decisions, national policies have a direct and lasting impact on local communities. We break down what these changes mean for resettlement agencies, service providers, and—most importantly—the individuals and families rebuilding their lives in Northern Nevada.

Joining us NNIC Resettlement Program Case Manager, Seraphine Onyango, helps unpack how federal decisions translate into local realities, the challenges organizations face in responding to rapid policy shifts, and the ways Northern Nevada International Center continues to adapt to it.

This episode offers clarity, context, and local insight into a complex policy environment—highlighting why understanding these changes matters and how they shape the future of refugee resettlement in our region.

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Welcome to L.G.N, the next chapter of DiploChatz. In this debut episode, we introduce the rebrand and set the tone for the season with our first Ask an Expert conversation featuring Dr. Carina Black, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC).

We break down what refugee resettlement really means, who it serves, and how it works on the ground, spotlighting the vital role of the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC). From arrival and integration to community partnerships and local impact, this episode offers a clear, human-centered overview of how global displacement connects to our region.

Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to understand how Northern Nevada shows up for newcomers, this episode is your starting point.

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