Today the host shares more about her experience migrating to the USA from Jamaica. 

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If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to share your immigrant experience on this podcast, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at [email protected]

The Immigrant Experience In America rounds out the month of February with part II with the host's personal story. March is Women's History Month! We will celebrate Women's History Month by highlighting female immigrants. Tune in every/every other day for a new story in March.

Malick Haidara is a Foreign Service Officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In this capacity, he devoted the past 12 years working to advance the US Government’s foreign assistance objectives in Central America, Africa, and Asia. From 2014 to 2018, he served as the Director of the Economic Growth Office at the USAID Mission in Rwanda, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio consisting of agricultural development, private sector development, access to finance, trade policy, energy, and rural infrastructure development projects. From 2018 to 2020, he was the Deputy Director of the Economic Growth and Agriculture Office at the USAID Mission in Pakistan, where he led the US Government’s efforts to modernize the Pakistani agricultural sector. He returned to USAID Headquarter in Washington in 2020, where he is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Private Sector Engagement Hub’s Institutional Support team. In this capacity, he is focusing on creating the institutional conditions and operating infrastructure necessary for the Agency to increasingly work hand-in-hand with the private sector to achieve greater development and humanitarian outcomes. Prior to joining USAID, Malick built a career in the financial sector. He worked as Financial Research Analyst for Standards and Poor’s in Denver, CO and as Corporate Credit Analyst for E-trade Financials in Arlington, VA. Malick received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural- economics from the National Polytechnic Institute in Cote-d’Ivoire and his Master of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado in Denver. If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to share your immigrant experience on this podcast, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at [email protected]

Malick Haidara is a Foreign Service Officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In this capacity, he devoted the past 12 years working to advance the US Government’s foreign assistance objectives in Central America, Africa, and Asia. From 2014 to 2018, he served as the Director of the Economic Growth Office at the USAID Mission in Rwanda, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio consisting of agricultural development, private sector development, access to finance, trade policy, energy, and rural infrastructure development projects. From 2018 to 2020, he was the Deputy Director of the Economic Growth and Agriculture Office at the USAID Mission in Pakistan, where he led the US Government’s efforts to modernize the Pakistani agricultural sector. He returned to USAID Headquarter in Washington in 2020, where he is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Private Sector Engagement Hub’s Institutional Support team. In this capacity, he is focusing on creating the institutional conditions and operating infrastructure necessary for the Agency to increasingly work hand-in-hand with the private sector to achieve greater development and humanitarian outcomes.

Prior to joining USAID, Malick built a career in the financial sector. He worked as Financial Research Analyst for Standards and Poor’s in Denver, CO and as Corporate Credit Analyst for E-trade Financials in Arlington, VA. Malick received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural- economics from the National Polytechnic Institute in Cote-d’Ivoire and his Master of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado in Denver.

If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to share your immigrant experience on this podcast, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at [email protected]

Donna Hylton is a technology professional and community leader with over 30 years of experience. Donna began her technology career in college while working as a Data Center Coordinator in New York City. She has worked as an end-user database specialist, programmer, systems team leader, and information systems manager before making the transition to academia. In 1997 Donna started teaching at Middlesex Community College as an adjunct professor and was hired full-time in 2000. Today she serves as a professor and Program Coordinator of the Computer Information Technology Systems and Management Information Systems degree programs at the college. Donna earned her undergraduate degree in Administrative Computer Systems from Hofstra University, in Hempstead, Long Island, and her master’s degree in Computer Information Technology with a concentration in Management Information Systems from Central Connecticut State University. She has also earned a second master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Donna has a deep desire to inspire people from all strata of life to be the best they can be. She also applies this energy to the many community-based activities with which she is engaged. In 2002, she created “Adventures in Learning” an afternoon program of JOY Camp, a free enrichment camp for kids. This educational camp (which she continues to direct) uses creativity and innovation to get children excited about academics. In 2017 Donna took a sabbatical leave from Middlesex Community College to attack the problem of the underrepresentation of women, girls, and people of color in STEM. Out of this community endeavor, Donna founded the STEAM Train non-profit organization that works to move generations of under resourced and underrepresented populations to STEM. Today, Donna serves as STEAM Train’s president and she is joined by a Board of Directors who are STEM professionals. This diverse group provides thought-leadership to the organization. Donna and her husband Pastor Paul Hylton have served in Christian ministry at Shiloh Christian Church since 1988. Working alongside her husband, who is the church’s Senior Pastor, Donna serves as Pastor of Administration and Counseling. She is also involved in humanitarian mission trips to various locations in the United States and around the world. Donna sees the sum total of her work in academia, the community, and the ministry as a part of God’s purpose and plan for her life and, as such, she strives to do it all with excellence and humility, so that He would be glorified. (James 1:27) https://www.steamtraininc.org/leadership#:~:text=Donna%20Hylton%20is,James%201%3A27)    If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to share your immigrant experience on this podcast, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at [email protected]

Donna Hylton is a technology professional and community leader with over 30 years of experience. Donna began her technology career in college while working as a Data Center Coordinator in New York City. She has worked as an end-user database specialist, programmer, systems team leader, and information systems manager before making the transition to academia. In 1997 Donna started teaching at Middlesex Community College as an adjunct professor and was hired full-time in 2000. Today she serves as a professor and Program Coordinator of the Computer Information Technology Systems and Management Information Systems degree programs at the college. Donna earned her undergraduate degree in Administrative Computer Systems from Hofstra University, in Hempstead, Long Island, and her master’s degree in Computer Information Technology with a concentration in Management Information Systems from Central Connecticut State University. She has also earned a second master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Donna has a deep desire to inspire people from all strata of life to be the best they can be. She also applies this energy to the many community-based activities with which she is engaged. In 2002, she created “Adventures in Learning” an afternoon program of JOY Camp, a free enrichment camp for kids. This educational camp (which she continues to direct) uses creativity and innovation to get children excited about academics. In 2017 Donna took a sabbatical leave from Middlesex Community College to attack the problem of the underrepresentation of women, girls, and people of color in STEM. Out of this community endeavor, Donna founded the STEAM Train non-profit organization that works to move generations of under resourced and underrepresented populations to STEM. Today, Donna serves as STEAM Train’s president and she is joined by a Board of Directors who are STEM professionals. This diverse group provides thought-leadership to the organization. Donna and her husband Pastor Paul Hylton have served in Christian ministry at Shiloh Christian Church since 1988. Working alongside her husband, who is the church’s Senior Pastor, Donna serves as Pastor of Administration and Counseling. She is also involved in humanitarian mission trips to various locations in the United States and around the world. Donna sees the sum total of her work in academia, the community, and the ministry as a part of God’s purpose and plan for her life and, as such, she strives to do it all with excellence and humility, so that He would be glorified. (James 1:27) https://www.steamtraininc.org/leadership#:~:text=Donna%20Hylton%20is,James%201%3A27)    If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to share your immigrant experience on this podcast, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at [email protected]

Today the host shares information about the latest immigration statistics as well as the contributions of immigrants to the US economy.

If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to share your immigrant experience on this podcast, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at [email protected]

Deborah Lockhart is the founder and director of operations of The Language Shop, based in New York City. Since graduating in 1985 from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica with an Honors Degree in History with (French and Spanish) Language and Literature (and Philosophy as a minor), she launched her career in translation and interpreting in Antigua and Barbuda where she provided translation and interpreting services to government offices such as the Elections Office, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Public Works, the Immigration Department, the High and Magistrates Courts, among others. She translated and interpreted for the Venezuelan and US Embassies and for various law firms, medical practitioners, media and advertising and commercial entities and individuals seeking immigration-related translation services. After nine years, she moved to New York, USA where she obtained Certificates in Translation and in Court Interpreting at New York University School of Professional and Continuing Studies. In 2006, she established The Language Shop where she directs project managers and team leaders in every time zone to provide top quality language services to the Company’s diverse, worldwide clientele on a full-time basis. She also served as treasurer of the New York Circle of Translators in 2006. Deborah speaks English, Spanish, French and basic Arabic, along with Jamaican Patois and various other Caribbean Creoles. Her interests are pets, language and culture, film, food and entertaining. Some of the causes close to her heart are the needs of the poor and hungry, the rights and needs of abandoned animals and the needs of the aged. If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to share your immigrant experience on this podcast, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at [email protected]