WPKN Community Hour – Spotlight on Immigrant Safety & Latin Heritage Month
Aired Monday, September 15, 2025

This week on the WPKN Community Hour, host Valerie Richardson spoke with Pierre d’Haiti and a group of students and faculty from Housatonic Community College about the work of the Oasis International Center and two upcoming community workshops on Immigrants and Safety, taking place on September 17 and September 29 at Housatonic. The conversations explored the intersection of education, advocacy, and immigrant rights.

Later in the program, fellow WPKN programmer Herman Olivera joined the conversation to share upcoming events planned for WPKN’s Latin Heritage Month programming, including a range of music, cultural events, and special broadcasts planned throughout September.

Valerie Richardson hosts the January Community Report to Listeners. Joining Valerie are Maggie Salem Mitchell, Executive Director of IRIS (the Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services), who discusses the challenges refugees and immigrants are facing with the incoming Trump administration; Rita Dering, a local artist who discusses her family's Irish immigrant background and her artwork for the upcoming WPKN exhibition "Anthems of Hope and Resiliance: Sing LOUD and Sing PROUD"; and WPKN programmer Ebong Udoma, who discusses WPKN's plans for Black History Month.

Valerie Richardson, WPKN’s General Manager, speaks with Maggie Mitchell Salem, the Executive Director of IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services), about the anticipated challenges refugees and immigrants will face under the new Trump administration. face. Maggie shares thoughts about the important role of immigrants in our country's history, IRIS's critical work in providing support and advocacy for vulnerable communities, and the importance of local community support and solidarity. She also talks about IRIS's annual "Run for Refugees," the year's biggest fundraiser, on February 9.

WPKN Leadership presents an hour of community-based, grassroots interviews in this December 2024 edition. Featuring Sean Fox, President of the Norwalk Film Festival (January 10-12), John Ianuzzi, WPKN News Director on 2025's Expanded News, and Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of Connecticut Students for a Dream.

Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of Connecticut Students for a Dream (C4D), provides an update on the current situation facing young immigrants eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which continues to face legal challenges and is now under review by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also discusses the proactive measures being taken by her organization and other immigrant rights advocates in response to the threat of mass deportations and other actions anticipated under the next Trump administration.

https://www.ct4adream.org/
https://www.norwalkfilmfestival.org/

Lauren Coakley Vincent, President + CEO of Colorful Bridgeport/DSSD, and Alicia Cobb of Art Simplicated discuss Bridgeport's PARKing Day, happening Friday 9/20 from 3-6pm, as well as the general offerings and mission of Colorful Bridgeport.

https://infobridgeport.com/

Lori Jones discusses the Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts 2024-2025 season.

https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/