Blog

Posted on

Stories We Shared – Photos from Welcoming Week 2025 & Beyond!

Welcoming Week 2025: Stories We Share

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond!


Welcoming Week 2025 has been a beautiful celebration of Nebraska’s cultural richness, inclusion, and building strong connected communities – with a few more events still to come! This year, creative Welcomers across Nebraska are hosting over 70 events in more than 9 communities across the state from Scottsbluff and Grand Island to Crete and South Sioux City. Events included local business tours, community celebrations, cultural festivals and performances, main street parades, learning events and conversations, multilingual storytelling, and neighbors coming together to share space in art, music and food, all to ensure everyone in our community can feel a sense of belonging! 

Check-out these photos of a few more of the #WelcomingWeek2025 events that have happened across Nebraska:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Celebrando Siouxland & Lotería Night with Unity in Action and many local partners

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Are One & Salsa Night with Grand Island Welcoming Initiative

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate Crete with Doane University and Crete in Motion 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Fun Night with Lexington Public Library & TinaMaria – HOPE Esperanza

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Potluck with HOPE Esperanza & Friends

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Lincoln Unites! Celebration & Karen Society of Nebraska service project

Join the Statewide Celebration: Nebraska Stories We Share!

This Welcoming Week kicked off a story gathering effort that continues after Welcoming Week through the year. Nebraskans everywhere are lifting up the journeys, traditions and roots that connect us all. 

It’s easy to join! Just follow these easy steps:

  1. First, select a story prompt to use to tell your story.
  2. Second, select how to share your story.
  3. Third, use our toolkit to find tools and resources to help tell your story. 

Access the toolkit here to learn more and join us! 

(You will have access to social media templates, and printouts for in-person gatherings)

Don’t forget to submit your own story and be featured on Nebraska is Home social media, helping inspire connection and belonging across our state. Together, we’re showing that We Belong Together. 

 

Beyond Welcoming Week events to come!

Click here to find a few more local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! …And then Nebraska communities’ local inclusion and belonging work continues! Take a moment to reflect on your Welcoming Week and the opportunities to build upon it – whether inviting someone new you met to another community event, continuing your personal learning, expanding community learning, or maybe just regrouping with other Welcomers to say “What’s next?” 

Thank you to all for celebrating Welcoming Week 2025 and for being an integral part of what makes Nebraska home for so many! Please reach out to us to support additional welcoming and belonging efforts throughout the year.

Posted on

Welcoming Week Continues! More events across Nebraska!

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond!

& Public Calendar of Nebraska Events

Nebraskans across the state have kicked off Welcoming Week with a great start and we’re still celebrating! In communities from Scottsbluff to South Sioux City, there are film screenings, dance parties, community art, local business tours, family fun nights & story hours, local service projects, street food – so many ways to connect, learn, and have fun with neighbors! 

There are events every day across Nebraska with more over the weekend. Bring your family! Invite your neighbor! Ask a co-worker to join you! 


 

 

 

 

Community members celebrate Lincoln’s 4 Star Welcoming City Certification reflecting years of community collaboration across sectors to ensure all residents can fully participate in and contribute to community life. Lincoln joins Crete as the second Certified Welcoming City. 


 

 

 

 

Grand Island Neighbors gathered for the 4th Street Business Tour! 


 

 

 


Latino Festivals are happening in many communities during Hispanic Heritage Month. 

 

Click here to find local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! Nebraskans across the state are hosting cultural performances, learning events, festivals and parades, and sharing food and stories of belonging and more! See this calendar of more than 70 events in communities across Nebraska!

Join a virtual event or participate in a Welcoming Week event outside Nebraska if you are traveling – Welcoming Week is being celebrated around the world!

Participate in the Statewide Effort: Nebraska Stories We Share!

This Welcoming Week, Nebraskans everywhere are lifting up the journeys, traditions and roots that connect us all. 

It’s easy to join: share your story using one of our prompts and post on your own social media, share in person or submit your story to us! 

Click here to learn more about the effort and join us!

Don’t forget to submit your own story and be featured on Nebraska is Home social media, helping inspire connection and belonging across our state. Together, we’re showing that We Belong Together. 

 

Print a Welcomer sign for your office/business, post on social media, or use the Toolkit to create social media graphics, email banners or virtual meeting backgrounds in your next video call! 

Reach out to Eric and Christa if you’d like to discuss doing something in your workplace, among friends, at your place of worship or somewhere else. We have some ideas that could be done with quick planning. 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2025. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook or @WelcomingUSA on Instagram.

Posted on

Welcoming Week events across Nebraska! September 13-22

Welcoming Week 2025 is here!

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond! & Public Calendar of Nebraska Events

Welcoming Week is a great opportunity to get to know neighbors – new and old – to build strong and connected communities, to embrace the universal values of welcoming places, and to celebrate culture, helping everyone to belong and feel at home. Because our communities are strongest when everyone knows they belong. 

This year’s Welcoming Week theme “The Stories We Share“ invites us all to build understanding and celebrate our differences while also finding what we have in common. Through that understanding, we can help shape what comes next alongside our neighbors. 

Join neighbors here in Nebraska, across the country and around the globe, where community members are recognizing, no matter where we’re from and our different backgrounds, our common values and our future call on us to imagine what we can achieve when we listen and learn from one another. Across Nebraska, there are film screenings, dance parties, community art, local business tours, family fun nights & story hours, local service projects, street food – so many ways to connect, learn, and have fun with neighbors!

We know that here in Nebraska, welcoming is a core part of who we are, and we have a proud history of welcoming. No matter our different backgrounds, we share traditions and stories that started first in community, in finding commonalities, and in supporting each other as people, friends, and neighbors. 

You can enjoy Welcoming Week whether you are organizing an activity, sharing a message of community, or are just curious about getting to know your neighbors. 

Check out these Local Nebraska Welcoming Week Events & More!

Click here to find local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! Nebraskans across the state are hosting cultural performances, learning events, festivals and parades, and sharing food and stories of belonging and more! See this calendar of more than 50 events in communities across Nebraska!

Join a virtual event or participate in a Welcoming Week event outside Nebraska if you are traveling – Welcoming Week is being celebrated around the world!

Share Your Story – Be Part of Nebraska Stories We Share!

This Welcoming Week, we are lifting up the journeys, traditions and roots that connect us all. Join people across Nebraska in Stories We Share by posting your own story or photo and using the hashtag #StoriesWeShareNE. 

Click here to learn more about the campaign and join us!

Your story could be featured on Nebraska is Home social media, helping inspire connection and belonging across our state. Together, we’re showing that We Belong Together.

Here’s how else you can participate if you cannot attend an event!

Print a Welcomer sign for your office/business, post on social media, or use the Toolkit to create social media graphics, email banners or virtual meeting backgrounds in your next video call! 

Reach out to either of us (Eric and Christa) if you’d like to discuss doing something in your workplace, among friends, at your place of worship or somewhere else. We have some ideas that could be done with quick planning. 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2025. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook or @WelcomingUSA on Instagram.

Posted on

Hate Incidents & Anti-Bullying Resources

Most of us would do whatever it takes to keep our families safe and secure—whether we were born here or came here seeking a better future. Right now, we have heard of a concerning increase in hate incidents in communities all across Nebraska. This is not who we are. Division and hateful rhetoric cause fear and uncertainty among neighbors. It pits our neighbors against each other and damages communities by causing pain and distraction away from our common values. 

Placing blame on people of color or neighbors who are immigrants is damaging to communities and distracts attention from the dismantling agencies and systems created to give all of us a fair chance. 

But across race, place, and background, we know the truth: when our families are safe, our communities thrive. It’s love and connection that build strong neighborhoods, not fear and separation. Humans need a sense of belonging and will seek that out. Creating strong and inclusive communities, and knowing our neighbors can prepare us to provide support for communities of color and identify those drawn to White supremacy groups.

That’s why we’re coming together to protect each other, keep our communities whole, and create a future where every one of us—no matter our background—can live with dignity, freedom, and real opportunity. 

What is a Hate Incident vs. Hate Crime?

A hate incident is a threat, use of derogatory language, or ethnic slur, or graffiti that is targeted based on race, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation – while a hate crime, is a criminal act (such as assault and or violence) or attempted crime against a person based on the person’s race, nationality, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation, – both should be reported. Take photos if possible, write down details taking note of any words said or symbols. Even if these words or symbols don’t make sense to you, they may be helpful to the police.

Tools & Resources for Welcomers: Opposing Bullying & Hate

Some of you might remember us sharing downloadable resources on ‘Bullying-What can you do?’ and ‘Hate Incidents’. After a few edits and compiling resources to share, we are ready to share our updated materials, which you can find links to below! 

  • Are you curious about engaging in a deeper discussion in your community? We can partner with you and help provide a facilitated discussion or equip you with the tools necessary to facilitate your own discussion! We have a few tools we use below, please reach out to us by replying to this email or reaching us by phone. 
  • Cracking The Codes is a film designed to help groups talk about race and equity. Because these conversations are vital to creating inclusion and belonging, we can help bring this tool to your workplace, neighborhood, school or faith group. Email us to start planning a community dialogue.
  • Welcoming Week 2025 is around the corner (September 12-22). As you start planning your events, check out the Welcoming Week resources for inspiration and tools!

Resources for Opposing Hate

Resources to learn more about hate groups

  1. Southern Poverty Law Center provides in-depth information on hate groups, hate crimes, and hate incidents across the U.S. It’s a valuable resource for learning how hate manifests in communities and how to respond.
  2. Decoding Hate Symbols: from Viking hammers to flags of fictional countries, National Geographic breaks down the origins and evolution of hate symbols.
  3. Facing History & Ourselves is an educational organization and resource hub dedicated to using lessons of history to challenge teachers and students to stand up to bigotry and hate. They offer a wide range of materials, including lesson plans, primary sources, teaching strategies, and professional development opportunities.
  4. Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a leading source for information and advocacy on civil rights issues in the U.S. It offers updates, resources, and campaigns that promote equality, protect voting rights, and advance justice for all communities.

Thank you for your continued dedication to creating spaces of belonging for all in our communities. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or thought partnership.

Posted on

Welcoming Week Coming Soon! September 12-21

Welcoming Week 2025: Stories We Share

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond!

Every year, in communities across Nebraska and across the country and globe, community members host a variety of learning, celebration, arts, culture, and other events during and beyond Welcoming Week!

Welcoming Week is a meaningful time to connect with both new and longtime neighbors, celebrate diverse cultures, and embrace the universal value of inclusion – because our communities are strongest when everyone feels they belong. This year’s Welcoming Week theme “Stories We Share” aims to celebrate differences and spot what we have in common through the Stories We Share. 

During Welcoming Week, bring your community together around the stories we share: stories that connect us and make us stronger. By sharing stories, we build understanding. Through that understanding, we shape what’s next. Our future’s calling us to imagine what we can achieve when we listen and learn from one another. 

Here’s how to participate & plan your event:

Access the Welcoming Week Toolkit! This toolkit contains resources and guidance to support you in planning and promoting Welcoming Week events. You can find social media tips and assets, media relations support, logos and other visuals, event planning best practices and event examples, as well as information on this year’s theme: Stories We Share! 

Let us know your plans for local events, so we can add them to the Nebraska Welcoming Week Calendar! (Email us: egarciamendez@neappleseed.org & cyoakum@neappleseed.org.) Nebraskans are hosting cultural performances, learning events, festivals and parades, and sharing food and stories of belonging and more! Also you may add your events to the Welcoming America map here! Keep up to date with this calendar to see events in communities across the state and country be added as Welcoming Week approaches!

Join a virtual event or participate in a Welcoming Week event outside Nebraska if you are traveling – Welcoming Week is being celebrated around the world!

Print a Welcomer sign for your office/business, post on social media, or use it during your next video call! 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag “#WelcomingWeek2025”. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook. 

We are here to help! Remember to reach out to Eric or Christa with any questions or thought partnership you may need in your planning! 

Join us for the 11th-Annual Welcoming Convening Series – Bridging to Belonging!

We hope to see you at our next session of this year’s 11th-annual (virtual) statewide welcoming convening series, where we’ll share ideas and inspiration for community inclusion efforts throughout the year! 

Session 2: Authentic Allyship in Community

Wednesday, July 9th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)

Come learn about how you can show up as an authentic ally in your community. Many of us have different skills and comfort levels. Lean into your skills and comfort level and care for the community. This training will be led by Kimara Snipes!

Kimara is the creator of the Authentic Allyship training series, which supports individuals and institutions in moving beyond performative inclusion toward meaningful, values-based action. Her facilitation style is rooted in asset-based community development, cultural humility, and the belief that storytelling is a tool for transformation.

(Zoom link to join will be sent to your email address after registration)

Kimara Snipes

Kimara Snipes is a respected civic leader, trainer, and community strategist with two decades of experience advancing equity, neighborhood power, and inclusive public engagement. She currently serves as Executive Director of One Omaha, a nonprofit organization that empowers residents to lead where they live, strengthening civic infrastructure through leadership development, grassroots grantmaking, and public engagement strategies.

Born in North Omaha and raised in South Omaha, Kimara brings a citywide perspective shaped by lived experience across communities. A former candidate for mayor, she also serves as Vice President of the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education, where she champions educational equity and student voice. Her deep relationships, paired with her ability to navigate systems from grassroots to government, make her a trusted advocate and connector.

Save these dates! More information on these sessions to come! 

Session 3: Wellness through Indigenous and Immigrant Wisdom

  • Wednesday, August 13th, 7 – 8:30 PM CT (6 – 7:30 PM MT)(Evening Session)

Session 4:  Your Silence Hurts – Disrupting Bias

  • Wednesday, September 10th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)


Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests. 

Posted on

Nebraskans at 2025 Welcoming Interactive! + Session 1 of 11th-Annual Welcoming Convening – June 11th!

More Than 30 Nebraskans Traveled to Detroit, Michigan for the 2025 Welcoming Interactive!

We loved getting to see nearly 30 Nebraskans from all parts of Nebraska at the Welcoming Interactive national welcoming conference! People who attended the conference gained insights and strategies for building inclusive communities and formed connections with welcomers from all over the United States. 

Nebraskans not only participated but they also were highlighted speakers at some of the interactive sessions hosted during the conference! Check out some of the highlights below:

To the State of the Good Life Film Screening. To the State of the Good Life is the exploration of the American Dream through the eyes of Grand Island community leader Raúl Arcos Hawkins and his life before DACA, with DACA, and his fears if it goes away. After the film, Raúl and filmmaker Robert Steven Williams shared reflections in a discussion moderated by Christa Yoakum. You can learn more about the film here. Please reach out to us if you have any interest in screening the film in your community! 

Empowering New American Women: Building Bridges Through Entrepreneurship. ECHO Collective from Lincoln, Nebraska hosted a session on their groundbreaking program, The Refinery. Participants were able to discover how empathy-driven entrepreneurship is transforming the lives of women and strengthening communities and how the program can be replicated in their community! 

Inclusive Civic Participation for Rural Immigrant Communities. Nebraska rural rockstars Liz Rodriguez and Yareth Chavez Dimas from Centro Hispano in Columbus, and Nebraska Appleseed community organizer, Ruby Méndez López, along with Brad Christian-Sallis from Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, hosted an interactive session all on inclusive civic participation for rural immigrant communities! 

Join community members from across Nebraska who are building thriving communities of belonging!

We hope to see you at the first session of this year’s 11th-annual (virtual) statewide welcoming convening series, where we’ll share ideas and inspiration for community inclusion efforts throughout the year! 

Session 1: We Belong to Each Other – Unity Alliance & Multi-Sector  Partnerships

Wednesday, June 11th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)

Come learn about creative, multi-sector belonging work in rural Idaho! “We Belong to Each Other” is a powerful, interactive presentation rooted in the work of Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, an organization committed to building compassionate, connected communities. Through inspiring stories, visuals, and small group dialogue, participants will explore how fostering belonging can transform lives and reduce division—and discover how they can take meaningful action to help everyone feel seen, valued, and supported. Join this conversation with Alejandra Hernandez, Executive Director of Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, and Matthew Hicks, Twin Falls Police Chief.

Alejandra Hernandez
Alejandra was born and raised in Santiago, Chile where she earned a BA in Agricultural Engineering and an MA in Social Communication. When she moved to the USA in 1997, she went back to school to learn English and earned a BA in Educational Psychology and an MA in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College, Massachusetts. She is the Executive Director of Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the understanding that ALL immigrants contribute to our region’s economy, way of life, and values. Passion is what drives everything she does in life. She is a lifelong learner and her mantra in life is “Get curious, not furious.” Currently she lives in Twin Falls with Margarito, her best PETsona!

Matthew Hicks
Just last month, Mathew Hicks was named Twin Falls Police Chief. He has been with the police department since 1993 demonstrating a commitment to high standards within the department. Matthew holds an MA in Human Resource Training and Development from Idaho State University, a degree from the FBI National Academy in Police Administration, and a BA in Political Science & Sociology from Carroll College. He also contributes to the growth and success of the community as a business co-owner. 

Hicks said his goal as Chief is to continue building the relationships Twin Falls Police has established. He also expressed his desire to form new ones with groups and communities who might feel like they lack a connection with the police force.

Save these dates! More information on these sessions to come! 

Session 2: Authentic Allyship in Community

  • Wednesday, July 9th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)

Session 3: Wellness through Indigenous and Immigrant Wisdom

  • Wednesday, August 13th, 7 – 8:30 PM CT (6 – 7:30 PM MT)(Evening Session)

Session 4:  Your Silence Hurts – Disrupting Bias

  • Wednesday, September 10th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)

Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests. 

Posted on

Register Now! ‘Bridging to Belonging’ Welcoming Convening Series

Join us in Bridging to Belonging: 11th-Annual Nebraska Welcoming Convening Series

Join us for the (virtual) 11th-annual statewide welcoming convening series – which brings together community leaders from all over Nebraska to share experiences, insights, and strategies for building welcoming and inclusive communities. 

During these summer sessions, we will have the opportunity to hear and learn from experienced local leaders, participate in workshops, and network with peers, all with the aim of enhancing our collective knowledge and skills. We hope you will join us on the following Wednesdays as we actively bridge to belonging together.

Save the dates now and register for the series!

(You can register for the series and attend whichever dates work for you!)

———

Session 1: We Belong to Each Other – Unity Alliance & Multi-Sector Partnerships
Wednesday, June 11th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)

Come learn about creative, multi-sector belonging work in rural Idaho! “We Belong to Each Other” is a powerful, interactive presentation rooted in the work of Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, an organization committed to building compassionate, connected communities. Through inspiring stories, visuals, and small group dialogue, participants will explore how fostering belonging can transform lives and reduce division—and discover how they can take meaningful action to help everyone feel seen, valued, and supported. Join this conversation with Alejandra Hernandez, Executive Director of Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, and Matthew Hicks, Twin Falls Police Chief.

Alejandra Hernandez 
Alejandra was born and raised in Santiago, Chile where she earned a BA in Agricultural Engineering and an MA in Social Communication. When she moved to the USA in 1997, she went back to school to learn English and earned a BA in Educational Psychology and an MA in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College, Massachusetts. She is the Executive Director of Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the understanding that ALL immigrants contribute to our region’s economy, way of life, and values. Passion is what drives everything she does in life. She is a lifelong learner and her mantra in life is “Get curious, not furious.” Currently she lives in Twin Falls with Margarito, her best PETsona!

Matthew Hicks
Just last month, Mathew Hicks was named Twin Falls Police Chief. He has been with the police department since 1993 demonstrating a commitment to high standards within the department. Matthew holds an MA in Human Resource Training and Development from Idaho State University, a degree from the FBI National Academy in Police Administration, and a BA in Political Science & Sociology from Carroll College. He also contributes to the growth and success of community as a business co-owner. 

Hicks said his goal as Chief is to continue building the relationships Twin Falls Police has established. He also expressed his desire to form new ones with groups and communities who might feel like they lack a connection with the police force.

———

Save these dates! More information on these sessions to come! 

Session 2: Authentic Allyship in Community

  • Wednesday, July 9th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)

Session 3: Wellness through Indigenous and Immigrant Wisdom

  • Wednesday, August 13th, 7 – 8:30 PM CT (6 – 7:30 PM MT)(Evening Session)

Session 4:  Your Silence Hurts – Disrupting Bias

  • Wednesday, September 10th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)


Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests. 

DID YOU KNOW: There is also an in-person Welcoming Communities Conference in Gering/Scottsbluff on June 19th! 

Empowering Families and Panhandle Partnership will be hosting an in-person Welcoming Communities Conference on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at the Gering Civic Center. This conference focuses on providing over 140 professionals and community leaders a forum for awareness, dialogue, and skill-building to create welcoming and inclusive environments within their agencies and communities. 

This year’s keynote speaker will be Kimberly Serrano. Kimberly Serrano is the Director of the Center for Inclusion and Belonging at the American Immigration Council where she provides vision and strategic direction for a portfolio of narrative and culture change projects that work to increase social trust, bridge diverse experiences, and foster a sense of belonging.

(Note: the registration links are different for the virtual series and the in-person conference!)

Posted on

The more you know! SWANA Heritage Month

Celebrating SWANA Heritage Month

Hello, I’m Sara Al-Rishawi, an Iraqi American and proud Lincoln native. I’ve grown up navigating both my cultural heritage and my Nebraska roots, and every April, SWANA Heritage Month becomes a special reminder of where I come from—and how important it is to celebrate that. It’s a time to reflect on the histories, cultures, and contributions of people from Southwest Asia and North Africa, and to share those stories with others. In this post, I want to offer a glimpse into what SWANA means, why this month matters, and how anyone can be part of it.

What is SWANA?

SWANA stands for Southwest Asian and North African and its heritage appreciation month takes place in April. It refers to a large, diverse region that includes countries such as Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Yemen, Iran, Sudan, and more. Many people use the term SWANA instead of “Middle East and North Africa” (MENA) because it shifts away from Eurocentric language and focuses on geography rather than colonial framing. 

From the poetry of Al-Mutannabi to the warmth of Arabic coffee shared between family and friends, the SWANA region is home to a wide range of languages, religions, traditions, and histories that span generations. As an Iraqi American, these traditions are deeply personal to me as they shape the food I eat, the holidays I celebrate, and the values I carry.

SWANA Communities in Lincoln

Lincoln has long been a refugee relocation site for families fleeing war, displacement, and instability—including many from SWANA countries like Iraq, Syria, Sudan, and Afghanistan. These communities have made Lincoln their home, contributing to the city’s cultural richness while also navigating challenges of resettlement, language, and identity.

As someone who grew up here, I’ve seen firsthand how SWANA families have built businesses, served as interpreters, enriched our schools, and brought traditions that deepen the fabric of Lincoln. Recognizing SWANA Heritage Month also means recognizing the experiences of refugee and immigrant families who are part of our neighborhoods, classrooms, and local economy.

Everyday SWANA Contributions to the World

Even if you’re unfamiliar with the term “SWANA,” chances are you’ve experienced the region’s influence in your everyday life:

  • Coffee as we know it today traces its roots to the Arab world.
  • Algebra (from the Arabic word al-jabr) and many math and science foundations originated in the Islamic Golden Age.
  • Words like “sugar,” “cotton,” and “lemon” come from Arabic and Persian languages.
  • Art and design, including geometric patterns and intricate tilework, have inspired architecture around the globe.
  • Cuisine like hummus, falafel, shawarma, baklava, and tabbouleh are now common in grocery stores and restaurants worldwide.

These contributions show how deeply SWANA cultures have shaped the world and continue to do so.

Why SWANA Heritage Month Matters

SWANA Heritage Month is about more than recognizing culture, it’s about making space. Too often, SWANA communities are misunderstood, misrepresented, or left out of broader cultural conversations. This month gives us a chance to reclaim our narratives and proudly celebrate who we are.

It also creates opportunities for connection, whether it’s hearing a familiar song, seeing your language represented, or just knowing you’re not alone in your experiences. For many SWANA-identifying people, especially in places like Nebraska, that visibility matters more than people may realize.

How You Can Support

You don’t have to be from the SWANA region to join in. Some simple and meaningful ways to support SWANA Heritage Month include:

  • Learning more about the cultures and histories of the region
  • Supporting SWANA-owned businesses, artists, and authors
  • Attending community or cultural events when available
  • Asking questions and showing genuine interest in people’s stories
  • Sharing SWANA voices and resources on your platforms

As an Iraqi American growing up in Lincoln, I’ve always held onto the beauty and strength of my culture. SWANA Heritage Month gives people like me a chance to be seen and celebrated, and it invites others to learn and grow alongside us. I hope you’ll take the time to listen, engage, and uplift SWANA voices this month.

Happy SWANA Heritage Month!

Posted on

Nebraska’s First Certified Welcoming City Announced! + Upcoming Events

Nebraska communities across the state are committed to strengthening local economies, building vibrant communities of neighbors, and fostering meaningful connections across differences by creating inclusive practices. One community has been recognized by Welcoming America for their commitment. 

Congratulations to Crete, Nebraska who is officially the first city in the state to be recognized as a Certified Welcoming City from Welcoming America! Strong communities like Crete, are those that intentionally connect and include people of all backgrounds. Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for cities and counties that have created programs and policies reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion.  

Among the cities and counties that have earned Welcoming Certification—including Tulsa, Louisville, Salt Lake City, Dayton, Dallas, and Pittsburgh—Crete stands out as a uniquely rural community, with a population roughly 130,000 smaller than the next largest certified town. Yet Crete has long been a leader in innovation in efforts to include and welcome immigrant community members in all areas of civic, social, and economic life and foster meaningful connections across differences. 

We joined our neighbors in Crete for their Welcoming City Celebration on February 28th. Our team had a great time connecting with community members and longtime colleagues while celebrating this momentous occasion! Check out some of the images below to get a glimpse of the celebration.

*****

Other events & announcements:

We’re excited to announce To The State Of The Good Life, a Nebraska film has been accepted into the Omaha Film Festival. The short film explores the American Dream through the eyes of Raúl Arcos Hawkins, a Grand Island community leader and DACA community member. This narrative weaves Raúl’s personal aspirations with the collective anxiety of Dreamers across the country, capturing their hope for a legislative solution that would at last create a way to apply for permanent residency. You can see it with other Nebraska short films at the festival at Aksarben Cinema in Omaha on Thursday, March 13 at 8:40 pm. 

*****

Join Nebraskans and Welcomers from around the world at the Welcoming Interactive in Detroit, May 20-22. The Welcoming Interactive is a biennial conference that highlights successful local practices and inspiring stories about immigrant inclusion, programs, policies, and partnerships on economic development, civic engagement, government leadership, and more. Come away with energy and new ideas!  

This year, Nebraskans from Columbus, Grand Island, and Lincoln will be facilitating three different sessions to share many of the great local efforts to build strong, vibrant communities of belonging in Nebraska. 

Thank you for your continued work to help make Nebraska a place of belonging for all!

Posted on

New Year, New Perspectives: Join Our Virtual Film Series!

 

Join community leaders from across Nebraska who are fostering inclusive spaces of connection and growth! 

The New Year is here – what better way to kick it off than by deepening our understanding of the diverse stories that make Nebraska home?

Join Nebraska Is Home: “Through our Neighbors’ Eyes”, a virtual film series showcasing short films that celebrate the journeys, dreams and experiences of immigrant and refugee neighbors. Together, let’s create spaces for belonging and connection as we step into their stories. 

Save the Dates!

These three inspiring films will be followed by insightful discussions with the filmmakers and local Nebraska leaders. Bring your cocoa, settle by the fire (virtual or real!), and join us for a meaningful start to 2025. 

Save the dates now and register for the series!


(You can register for the series and attend whichever dates work for you!)

Film Series Schedule:

January 21, 7-8 PM CT (6-7 PM MT)
Film 1: To the State of the Good Life

Discover Raúl Arcos Hawkins’ journey as a DACA recipient and his hopes and challenges as a community leader in Grand Island, NE.

Featuring: Raúl Arcos Hawkins, executive director of the Multicultural Coalition of Grand Island, and Robert William Stevens, storyteller, filmmaker will join us for discussion following the film screening! 

January 28, 7-8 PM CT (6-7 PM MT)
Film 2: Cultures in the Crossfade: Lincoln

Explore how local musicians find harmony in Nebraska, mixing cultures and creating new music.

Featuring: Hasan Khalil, musician, barber and community builder and Josh Kun, author, academic and music critic will join us for discussion following the film screening. 

February 4, 7-8 PM CT (6-7 PM MT)
Film 3: The Healing of Harman

Follow Harman Doski, a Kurdish refugee, as he navigates hope, faith, and forgiveness in his new life in the U.S.

Featuring: Julie Uribe, writer, will join us for discussion following the film screening. 

Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests.