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Description
The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) and the International Institute of New England (IINE) present a powerful event where immigrant storytellers share their personal stories and reflect on how 2020 played a pivotal role.
A
A
Some
of
these
experiences
may
be
eye-opening
and
some
of
these
experiences,
whether
you're
an
immigrant
or
not,
may
remind
you
of
your
own,
those
with
your
family,
friends
and
neighbors.
My
name
is
yusufi
vali
and
I'm
the
director
for
the
mayor's
office
for
immigrant
advancement
here
in
boston.
I'm
an
immigrant
myself
from
india
and
settled
in
boston
nearly
20
12
years
ago,
the
mayor's
office
for
immigrant
advancement
works
to
support
our
immigrant
residents.
A
We
have
a
lot
of
programs
and
resources
and
you
can
learn
more
about
our
office
on
our
website
at
boston.gov
immigrant,
after
four
years
of
anti-immigrant
rhetoric,
and
particularly
a
hard
last
year
for
so
many
of
our
immigrants
fighting
on
the
front
lines
of
covid,
it's
important
to
break
down
barriers
and
see
each
others
as
neighbors.
That's
what
tonight's
all
about
a
space
to
listen
to
each
other
and
get
to
know
each
other
in
a
real
and
human
way.
I'd
like
to
now
turn
it
over.
A
To
my
amazing
co-host
for
the
evening
and
welcome
suitcase
stories,
director,
cheryl
hamilton
suitcase
stories
is
a
program
of
the
non-profit.
The
international
institute
of
new
england,
our
partner
for
tonight's
event
and
sheryl,
is
the
incredible
engine
behind
this
great
set
of
programming.
Cheryl.
B
Thank
you
sophie
so
much
for
having
us
tonight
and
thanks
to
everybody,
who's
signing
on
it's
amazing
to
watch
these
numbers
climb
so
much.
That
speaks
a
lot
to
the
community
here
in
boston.
As
you
said,
I
work
for
the
international
institute
of
new
england.
We
are
one
of
the
oldest
and
largest
non-profits
in
the
region
serving
new
refugee
number
communities.
We
have
five
program
areas,
we
do
refugee
resettlement,
english
instruction,
employment,
legal
services
and
then
this
fifth
area,
which
is
all
about
amplifying
the
voices
of
refugees
and
immigrants
and
through
suitcase
stories.
B
So
we
are
so
grateful
to
partner
with
moya,
particularly
in
the
last
year,
your
leadership
and
your
support
and
your
outreach
to
non-profits
like
ours
in
the
front
lines,
but
all
of
the
other
people
involved
in
this
work
has
been
tremendous
and
we're
very,
very
grateful.
I
want
to
say
a
few
words
about
how
tonight's
going
to
go.
B
We
have
six
fabulous
storytellers
from
six
countries,
usually
we'd
be
on
a
stage
and
they'd
be
backstage
anxious
and
I
will
say
they
are
backstage
right
now:
they've
recorded
their
stories
in
case
of
tech
problems,
but
we're
going
to
have
a
live
talk
pack
at
the
end.
So
if
you're
interested
in
staying
on
at
8
15,
you
can-
and
you
can
ask
questions
directly
to
our
storytellers,
because
they're
excited
to
answer
to
you
from
home,
but
I
also
encourage
you
because
they
can't
hear
their
laughter.
B
They
can't
hear
your
clapping
throughout
the
night
to
open
your
chat
because
they're
on
the
chat
as
well
and
send
some
love.
If
something
resonated
with
you
in
a
story,
if
you
just
want
to
say,
congratulations
anything
you
want,
they
would
love
to
hear
that
as
well,
and
it's
good
for
us
to
connect
in
that
way.
So
yusofi
do
you
want
to
hand
it
over.
A
Yeah
so
wanna,
first
of
all,
just
want
to
again
thank
all
the
storytellers
and
really
want
to
thank
all
the
attendees
for
joining
us
tonight.
I
really
hope
you
enjoyed
tonight's
event
after
the
event,
we'll
post
all
of
their
stories
on
our
website
at
boston.gov,
immigrant
and
we'll
also
include
language
translations
of
tonight's
stories.
So
we
hope
you
can
share
it
widely
with
your
friends
and
family.
I'd
like
to
now
just
take
a
moment
to
thank
mayor
marty
walsh
for
supporting
this
event
and
making
sure
immigrants
have
equitable
resources
succeed.
A
The
mayor,
as
many
of
you
know,
is
a
son
of
immigrants
and
since
taking
office
in
2013,
he
has
supported
immigrants
in
boston
and
just
been
an
incredible
advocate
for
immigrant
rights.
I'm
sure
you've
heard
the
news
mayor,
walsh's
president-elect
biden's
pick
for
labor
secretary.
We're
really
excited
for
him
to
go,
make
a
bigger
impact
at
the
federal
level,
but
obviously
sad
that
boston
is
losing
him.
It's
been
a
privilege
to
serve
as
a
part
of
his
office
carrying
out
his
vision
and
mayor.
The
mayor
has
made
a
special
recorded
message
for
us
tonight.
C
C
There's
something
very
powerful
about
storytelling
growing
up.
My
parents
would
tell
me
their
experiences
immigrating
from
ireland
to
boston
and
what
it
was
like,
leaving
home
and
building
a
community
here.
That's
why
this
event
is
so
special
to
me
as
a
son
of
immigrants.
I
know
how
important
is
to
keep
these
stories
alive
and
share
them
widely.
C
B
I
can
tell
you
that
she
currently
serves
as
an
americorps
member
with
the
new
american
integration
program
out
at
boston
medical
center
in
their
immigrant
and
refugee
health
center,
and
I
think
it's
worth
noting
that
all
of
us
thank
boston,
medical
center
and
all
of
the
health
care
professionals
everywhere
who
are
on
the
front
lines
of
responding
to
this
crisis
and
especially
supporting
refugees
and
immigrants.
Just
like
our
storyteller
is
so.
Please
join
me
in
enthusiastic
virtual
welcome
to
maida.
D
D
D
D
Every
year
my
mom
would
say
we're
so
close
to
getting
our
green
cards.
I
think
this
year
will
work
out,
but
it
never
did
so
here
I
am
my
senior
year
trying
to
figure
it
all
out.
As
an
iranian
citizen
because
of
u.s
sanctions
on
iran,
I
can't
fill
out
the
one
financial
aid
form
online
that
gets
sent
to
all
the
schools.
D
D
D
D
He
was
right.
Six
months
later
I
committed
to
mit.
He
knew
I'd
get
in
before
I
believed
I
could
for
a
few
months.
I
felt
like
I
finally
made
it
like
all
my
parents.
Sacrifices
had
been
worth
it,
but
once
I
got
to
mit,
I
continued
to
face
barriers.
I
didn't
have
work.
Authorization
and
traveling
was
also
risky,
because
there
was
no
guarantee
I'd
be
able
to
come
back
into
the
us
if
I
left
it,
but
then
my
sophomore
fall
in
2016.
D
It
was
the
right
decision,
because
the
travel
bans
went
into
effect.
Around
the
same
time,
I
would
have
been
trying
to
return
to
the
us
experiences
like
that
were
disappointing,
but
the
most
stressful
thing,
while
I
was
at
mit,
was
getting
closer
to
turning
21,
something
most
other
people.
My
age
were
really
looking
forward
to
once
I
turned
21
I'd
no
longer
be
dependent
on
my
parents
status,
even
if
they
got
green
cards.
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
When
we
first
found
out,
we
have
to
come
back
to
the
us
because
of
chronovirus.
I
was
in
denial.
I
didn't
want
to
come
back
as
an
alum.
I
was
running
out
of
time
to
take
advantage
of
these
kinds
of
mit
programs
and
I
wanted
so
badly
to
make
up
for
everything
I
felt,
like
I
missed
out
on
for
most
of
my
time
at
mit
and
to
experience
things
that
would
help
me
grow
into
the
kind
of
doctor.
I
wanted
to
be
for
me
spending
so
much
time
in
2020
for
me.
D
D
D
The
position
I
was
interested
in
would
be
a
boston
medical
center.
So
not
only
would
I
get
to
serve
immigrants,
but
I
get
to
do
it
in
the
healthcare
setting
in
this
role
I
connect
patie.
I
connect
patients
to
resources
to
help
them
navigate
the
immigration
system,
on
top
of
that,
it'd
be
a
bmc,
a
safety
net
hospital
that
serves
a
very
diverse
population.
D
D
Maybe
it's
because
of
all
the
years
of
uncomfortable
phone
conversations
with
relatives
in
iran,
where
I
didn't
know
what
to
say,
because
I
hadn't
seen
them
in
so
long
or
maybe
it's
because
I'm
so
used
to
texting
where
we
can
make
up
for
not
being
there
with
emojis
and
ample
time
to
think
about
what
we
want
to
say,
but
over
the
phone
there
are
moments
when
words
aren't
enough
for
everything.
People
are
going
through
and
all
I
want
is
to
be
physically
there
with
them
to.
D
Others
don't
have
work
authorization
yet
so
they're
not
working
and
making
money
to
afford
a
lawyer,
but
the
pro
the
waiting
list
of
pro
bono
organizations
is
too
long
and
the
pandemic
has
only
lowered
the
capacity
of
these
organizations
even
more
one.
Patient
tells
me.
He
looks
forward
to
my
calls,
because
he's
usually
alone
with
his
thoughts
because
of
his
current
health
issues.
He
spends
most
of
his
time
quarantined
in
his
room
thinking
about
his
family
back
home
and
the
trauma
he
experienced
before
he
escaped
his
country.
D
He
says
our
weekly
check-ins
give
him
relief.
He
just
needs
someone
to
talk
to
then
there's
the
patient,
who
wonders
if
she
should
go
to
college
she's
filed
for
asylum
in
the
u.s,
but
it
hasn't
been
approved
yet
she's
worried
about
being
deported
while
she's
still
trying
to
finish
school.
So
is
it
even
worth
it
to
start,
and
I
think
about
how
mr
borders
didn't
have
all
the
answers.
D
A
A
I'm
very
excited
to
introduce
our
next
storyteller.
This
is
someone
I
know
very
well
because
he's
actually
a
member
of
my
team.
Luigi
leland
is
moya's
community
engagement
coordinator
and
originally
from
haiti.
He
joined
us
in
january
of
2020,
so
luigi
congrats
on
your
one
year
anniversary
with
the
city
luigi's
job,
is
to
connect
our
office
with
non-profits
and
residents
and
he's
the
best
person
for
this
job
because
he
speaks
six
languages
but
even
more
importantly,
he
has
so
much
heart
and
passion
for
people.
I
have
so
much
admiration
for
him
professionally
and
personally.
A
E
Sunday
is
truly
my
rest
day
on
saturdays
I
wake
up.
I
cook
I
clean,
I
do
some
shopping
and
I
prep
the
following
week.
So
on
the
first
sunday
in
december
2020,
I
decide
to
kick
back
and
do
something
that
I
haven't
done
in
a
while.
I
decided
to
catch
up
on
a
show,
a
teen
wolf
that
I
stopped
watching.
Three
years
ago
I
decided
to
do
a
teen
wolf
binge
of
thought
on
one
episode,
scott,
the
main
character.
E
E
Do
you
know
what
regression
to
the
mean
is
and
simply
put
it's
the
concept
that
things
cannot
be
all
good
or
all
bad
in
life,
and
they
have
had
a
few
good
months,
considering
that
no
one
has
tried
to
kill
them
so
eventually
on
the
scale
of
think
good
and
bad
things
would
have
to
take
one
way
or
the
other.
They
were
either
going
to
be
really
good
or
really
bad.
E
I
spoke
with
agnes
or
agnes
chang
or
chief
of
staff
and
originally
from
hong
kong,
and
she
just
I
was
just
sold
on
it.
The
first
two
months
at
moya,
where
I
work
are
amazing.
I
learn
about
the
different
scope
of
work
of
different
departments
and
I
learn
on
how
to
best
advocate
for
immigrants,
and
I
work
with
a
group
of
passionate
folks,
so
I'm
inspired
and
I'm
doing
well,
things
cannot
get
any
better
and
things
are
great.
E
In
my
personal
life
as
well,
one
cousin
announced
that
his
daughter
was
born
that
same
month
and
another
announces
that
he's
expecting
a
baby.
My
cousin
chris,
so
things
are
great
and
march,
gets
even
better
when
I
think
we're
like
one
week
working
remotely
it's
7
30.
That
morning
I
wake
up
I
twist
and
turn
in
bed,
and
I
try
not
to
pick
up
my
phone,
but
it
buzzes
and
of
course
I
go
for
it.
E
Rudolph
sends
a
video
to
our
family
group
chat
of
about
30
of
us
and
it's
a
sideshow
of
the
great
things
that
happened
the
year
before
in
2019.
It
highlights
the
newest
members
of
our
family
and
it
continues
on
with
a
scene
where
rudolph
is
reading
a
sonogram
and
his
wife
asks
him.
What
does
he
see?
What
letters
does
he
sees
and
he
goes
a
and
b
and
of
course
I
already
know
what
that
means.
E
So
I'm
jumping
in
excitement,
while
rudolph
is
still
figuring
it
out
and
his
wife
says,
twins,
rudolph
twins,
and
so
this
is
just
the
best
news
that
I
had
received
in
a
really
long
time,
but
better.
Yet
even
more
great
news
come
when
rudolph
calls
me
personally
and
asked
me
to
be
godfather
to
one
of
the
twins,
and
I
look
up
to
him
so
much
so,
of
course
I
accept,
and
I'm
excited
march
was
great.
C
E
With
his
mom
all
of
this
happening
in
brockton
and
two
days
later,
we
get
a
call
to
know
that
you
know
a
great
uncle
actually
went
to
the
hospital
and
the
following
day
he
passed
away.
Another
relative
had
called
me
to.
Let
me
know
that
it
was
just
the
saddest
scene
to
see
rudolph's
grandmother
saying
goodbye
to
her
husband
and
she
was
saying
all
the
way
through
that
she
couldn't
believe
that
this
was
happening,
that
she
knows.
E
So
I
tell
my
dad,
you
know,
stay
positive,
I'm
sure
he'll
be
fine
and
you
know
at
least
he's
not
in
the
hospital
for
covid,
but
I
was
wrong.
He
was
in
the
hospital
for
covet
and
only
two
days
later
I
get
another
message
that
says
our
uncle
passed
away.
This
morning
again,
I'm
in
shock,
I
dropped
my
phone.
I
get
this
wave
of
anger,
sadness
and
anxiety
and
I
just
can't
understand
what
is
going
on
and
I
take
a
few
days
off,
hopefully
to
to
start
getting
myself
together
and
my
colleagues
are
very
supportive.
E
E
I
mean
I
couldn't
take
another
hit
either
I
mean
I
totally
understood
where
he
was
coming
from,
but
another
hit
came
when,
just
a
week
later,
my
mom
announced
that
her
aunt
also
passed
away.
So,
four
weeks
in
a
row
we
lost
four
people
and
due
to
covet-
and
it's
it's
just
horrible
so
may
comes,
and
as
teen
wolf
had
predicted,
things
have
taken
a
turn
for
the
worst.
They
were.
Not
just
things
were
not
just
not
good,
they
were
really
bad.
F
E
But
also
for
my
family-
and
I
call
them
every
day
and
what
started
making
things
easier
is
that
one
cousin
actually
announced
that
she
was
pregnant
as
well.
So
we
start
having
some
more
positive
things
to
talk
about,
and
the
30
of
us
kind
of
decide
to
in
the
family
group
chat
to
put
together
a
zoom
call
where
we
all.
C
E
And,
to
my
surprise,
everyone
was
just
playing
games.
I
mean
I
I
was.
I
was
glad
to
see
that
we
were.
It
was
actually
easier
than
I
thought
to
to
keep
ourselves
going.
We
even
started
playing
a
game
where
we
would
tell
each
other
hey.
You
know,
get
this
particular
item
from
your
house
and
it
was
so
much
fun
to
see
how
competitive
the
family
got
and
not
to
pat
myself
on
the
back,
but
I
did
win
that
little.
You
know
that
little
a
little
competition
that
we
had
in
the
family.
E
It
was
satisfying
but
yeah,
so
june
comes
around
and
it's
time
to
do.
The
gender
reveal
celebration
again
staying
positive
and
really
keeping
ourselves
going.
Rudolph's
announces
that
he's
having
twin
boys,
obviously
with
the
blue
smoke
that
that
was
revealed
that
showed
that
reveal
in
the
little
gathering
that
he
had
at
his
house.
Most
of
us
attended
via
zoo
and
another
cousin
who
had
announced
that
he
was
pregnant
as
well,
that
he
was
expecting
with
his
wife.
My
cousin
chris
announced
that
he
was
expecting
a
boy
as
well.
A
Thank
you,
luigi.
Everyone
at
moya
is
so
sorry
for
your
losses,
but
we
are
also
celebrating
the
new
additions
to
your
family
you're,
going
to
be
the
best
uncle
and
your
family
is
lucky
to
have
you
we're
lucky
to
have
you
our
next
storyteller
is
someone
who
keeps
city
hall
running
if
you've
ever
been
to
city
hall.
There's
a
coffee
stand
in
the
building
and
make,
and
it
makes
really
good
coffee.
A
G
My
story
as
an
immigrant
starts
in
1983
when
my
parents
in
nicaragua
reach
out
and
say
pack
your
bags.
You
are
leaving
tomorrow,
I'm
13
years
old
at
the
time
and
my
country
has
a
war,
so
I'm
being
sent
to
live
with.
My
aunt
in
florida
am
scared
of
not
seeing
my
parents
again
even
pressure
to
learn
a
new
language
to
be
a
teenager
in
a
new
school,
but
my
new
life
continues
and
I
meet
an
amazing,
a
man
named
hector
and
we
get
married
at
our
church
in
boston.
G
G
G
G
That
was
exciting
for
us
one
day
we
meet
with
our
the
manager
of
eastern
bank
stephanie,
and
she
says
to
us
that
the
city
of
boston
is
remodeling,
the
lobby
of
the
boston
city
hall
in
downtown
and
that
they're
wanting
a
coffee
shop
at
their
location
and
she
says
they're
putting
out
a
bid
and
worry.
They
didn't
even
know
what
that
meant.
What
is
a
bid
and
wait?
G
There
is
tons
of
paperwork,
but
we
go
for
it.
We
put
out
the
bid
and
months
later
we
receive
an
email
from
city
hall
and
suzanne
from
property
management.
Writes,
congratulations
and
we
get
it.
We
are
can't
believe
it,
but
we're
so
excited.
We
start
hugging
and
screaming
in
our
home
office,
and
here
we
are
starting
a
new
adventure.
G
We
start
meeting
the
workers
of
city
hall
and
in
june
5th,
one
year
later,
at
our
year
anniversary,
we
are
celebrating
with
50
people
in
the
lobby
of
the
city
hall,
our
first
anniversary,
and
we
see
the
support
of
the
people
that
work
in
that
building
and
my
husband
and
I
feel
at
that
moment-
wow
the
dream
came
true,
but
then
2020
comes
along
and
things
start
to
change
our
and
we
were
in
our
office
and
we
received
another
email
from
city
hall.
But
this
time
they're
saying
the
building
is
closing
because
of
covert
19.
G
G
G
G
G
It
was
different,
it
felt
so
different
and
he
reminded
me
the
time
that
I
came
to
from
the
from
my
country
to
the
u.s
adjusting
to
something
new
going
home
after
a
day
of
work.
That
was
a
another
challenge,
a
scary
moment
for
me
and
my
husband,
the
fear
of
bringing
the
virus
to
home,
to
our
kids,
who
are
asthmatic,
but
we
didn't
close.
G
G
G
G
G
We
are
dropping
off
a
coffee
bag
in
a
porch
of
one
of
the
couples
that
we
don't
see
since
march
they're,
dory
and
her
husband,
and
as
we
go
into
our
car
to
drive
away,
we
see
them
in
their
front
door
waving
and
yelling.
Thank
you,
and
we
know
at
that
moment
that
it
was
worth
it
and
that
it's
so
happy
to
see
that
and
to
know
that
there's
in
the
future
there's
a
time.
That's
coming
that
we
can
all
sit
and
enjoy
a
cup
of
coffee
in
our
cafe.
B
B
She
is
a
leading
immigrant
advocate
here
in
massachusetts
and
I
dare
say
the
country
a
role
model
to
so
many,
and
it
was
impressive
to
me
that,
on
top
of
all
that,
she
is
juggling
to
support
families
during
this
crisis.
She
carved
out
a
little
bit
of
time
to
share
her
story
with
you.
So
with
deep
gratitude.
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
A
Thank
you
natalicia
for
your
leadership
and
for
the
critical
work
of
the
brazilian
workers
center,
especially
during
this
past
year.
Bwc
is
one
of
many
non-profits
who
have
been
working
tirelessly.
So
I'd
like
to
thank
all
of
our
community
partners
for
everything
you
do
for
our
immigrant
communities
up
next
is
a
man
of
many
talents.
He
was
born
in
senegal
and
has
since
lived
in
several
countries
and
worked
in
many
different
industries,
including
travel,
academia,
research
and
aviation.
A
A
F
I
I
I
I
I
I
We
play
people,
our
bodies,
relax
our
mind
clear
up
deeply.
I
call
it
indeed
four
mind
and
body
detox
and
really-
and
frankly,
I
don't
really
remember
my
life
without
people
everywhere
I
lived,
I
played
people
and
so
in
san
francisco.
As
an
example,
I
played
people
with
a
lot
of
different
people,
malaysians
south
koreans,
japanese
immigrants.
I
I
I
I
F
I
I
F
I
Well,
let
me
say
this
clearly
to
me:
nobody
should
die
for
twenty
dollars
and
the
thought
that
you
could
lose
your
life
for
twenty
dollars
is
really
foreign
to
me,
and
so,
as
I
said
that
my
friend
insisted
listen,
we
don't
know
everything
about
this
story
yet
so,
let's
wait
and
see
what
happens
see.
This
reaction
puzzles
me
a
bit
because
it's
not
the
first
time
my
friend
is
a
very
decent
man
of
asian
descent,
a
former
u.s
soldier
stationed
overseas
and
a
retired
high
school
teacher.
I
I
I
I
F
B
I
B
Thank
you
dovey
for
that
incredibly
important
story
and
reminding
us
of
an
incredibly
important
message
that
we
can't
say
enough.
Black
lives
matter
also
dovey.
I
really
hope
that
you
and
your
friends
get
to
play
ping
pong
soon.
I
know
how
important
it
is.
All
of
us
do
that,
finding
something
that
brings
you
joy
and
helps
you
de-stress
during
this
time
is
incredibly
important
and
selfishly
for
me.
It's
storytelling.
Actually,
in
fact,
it's
through
storytelling
that
I
met
our
last
storyteller
chris
concepcion
chris,
and
I
met
at
a
storytelling
event
here
in
greater
boston.
B
B
J
J
Classrooms,
sometimes
not
even
on
google
maps,
we
have
to
get
all
this
data
and
we
have
to
like
match
them
to
the
right
precinct.
We
have
to
make
sure
we
have
good
mapping
tools
so
that
any
iowans
residential
address
can
match
to
that
same
precinct.
It's
hard,
detailed
on
glamorous
work
and
while
we're
doing
that,
we're
also
preparing
for
cyber
attacks
for
the
interference
of
anybody
who
wants
to
disrupt
the
process
and
discourage
people
from
you
know
we're
doing
eight
12-hour
days
weekends.
J
J
J
J
J
In
immigration
the
following
day
and
I'm
looking
at
the
this
cnn
news
segment,
and
it's
all
about
nobody
knows
who
won
in
iowa
uncertainty,
chaos
and
people
are
wondering
like.
Is
this
what
the
rest
of
the
election
is
going
to
be,
like
I
remember
going
in
for
my
interview,
and
the
immigration
officer
asks
me
like
what.
J
A
C
C
J
C
E
J
C
J
Take
a
day
off
and
go
in
and
swear
my
own
naturalization.
I
could
vote
in
the
massachusetts
primary
for
the
first
time
or
I
could
take
the.
I
could
ask
to
reschedule
and
forego
that,
but
do
but
take
that
time
to
actually
help.
My
citizens
vote-
and
you
know
with
the
debacle
on
iowa-
is
still
fresh
in
my
memory.
J
E
J
That
is
the
biogen
super
spreader
convention
and
on
the
2nd
of
march,
is
the
first
confirmed
case
of
covet
in
the
commonwealth,
and
you
know
like
in
the
midst
of
this
I'm
getting
letters
from
immigration
like
originally
my
venue
was
going
to
get
daniel
hall.
There
was
going
to
be
a
big
ceremony
showing
about
talking
about
the
history
of
america.
J
J
C
J
C
C
J
J
C
C
J
J
J
J
To
be
getting
ready
to
do,
my
naturalization
is
also
the
week
of
florida.
Primary
and
florida
is
losing
polling
locations
left
and
right
because
their
volunteers
are
pulling
out
because
of
health
crisis,
and
we
are
keeping
up
with
those
changes.
The
last
minute
other
states
are
moving
to
mail-in
voting
and
we
are
making
that
move
with
them.
J
J
To
reschedule
and
your
ceremony
will
be
on
june,
12th
it'll
still
be
the
same
thing.
It
has
to
be
in
conference
from
government
center.
I
can't
bring
any
guests,
and
so
there
I
am
seven
other
immigrants
all
getting
ready
to
make
this
step
and
our
oath
is
gonna,
be
administered
by
an
army
veteran
who
came
from
here
from
nigeria,
and
she
looks
at
us
and
says
that
I
know
that
many
of
you
wanted
others
here.
J
C
J
And
I
became
a
citizen,
I
went
home
and
celebrated
with
my
wife
with
some
fancy:
takeout,
sandwiches
and
glasses
of
madeira
to
toast,
like
the
founding
fathers
did
and
went
back
to
work
and
in
september.
I
voted
for
the
first
time,
the
state
primary
and
then
early
voting
started,
and
I
could
remember
just
the
amount
of
traffic
that
we
got.
It
was.
C
J
J
A
Thank
you
so
much
chris.
What
a
great
way
to
end
our
program!
Congratulations
on
becoming
a
citizen
and
thank
you
so
much
for
protecting
our
ability
to
vote
our
right
to
vote,
and
I
just
have
to
say
that
I
think
every
guy,
as
we're
looking
at
your
tie,
was
wondering
how,
when
are
you
gonna
teach
us
how
to
tie
that
tie.
I'm
not
gonna
pass
it
back
to
cheryl,
as
our
storytellers
began
to
join
us.
B
It
is
true,
there's
a
lot
of
comments
happening
about
the
tie.
It's
a
beautiful
one.
I
want
to
thank
the
storytellers
again.
Obviously
I
have
the
privilege
of
working
with
them,
so
I
get
to
do
that
a
lot,
but
there's
still
something
special
about
when
they
all
come
together
on
one
evening.
I
was
reflecting
this
week
about
how
I
said
a
lot
of
people.
It's
easy
to
tell
a
story.
B
We
do
it
every
day
to
our
friends
and
family,
but
there's
something
challenging
about
crafting
a
story
figuring
out
how
to
get
an
entire
year
into
10
minutes.
But
one
thing
that
usually
helps
is
the
story
is
usually
behind
you
you're,
reflecting
on
it,
but
these
storytellers
had
to
bravely
tell
a
story
when
they're
still
in
the
story
itself,
the
pandemic
has
not
ended.
These
challenges
have
not
gone
away.
That's
why
organizations
that
have
represented
tonight,
ine
the
brazilian
workers
center,
all
moya.
B
All
of
these
partners
were
still
on
the
front
lines
trying
to
help
people
now.
This
is
when
we
would
invite
the
audience
to
stand
up
and
cheer,
but
I'm
going
to
invite
our
storytellers
to
all
turn
on
their
videos.
I'm
going
to
ask
all
everyone
watching
to
give
them
a
loud
love
from
your
couches
and
ask
the
storytellers:
are
they
there
there
we
are
from
their
homes
from
the
stages
of
their
homes.
B
Congratulations,
everybody!
You
were
unbelievable
in
your
sharing
and
I
loved
how
you
somehow
the
six
of
you
captured
everything
of
2020.,
I'm
going
to
remind
people
online
that
in
a
moment
you
can
stay
on
and
ask
questions
of
our
storytellers,
but
first
I'm
going
to
let
musafi
close
out
the
official
time
with
some
remarks.
A
A
Thank
you,
everyone
for
attending
and
joining
us.
I
hope
you
found
this
program
inspiring
and
uplifting,
as
I
did.
I'm
excited
2020
is
behind
us
and
I'm
looking
forward
to
great
things
for
our
city
for
this
year,
as
I
mentioned
before,
we'll
post
these
stories
on
our
website
at
boston.gov,
immigrant
and
we'll
include
translations.
So
please
check
that
out
and
spread
the
word
and
share
it
with
your
families
and
friends.
A
If
you'd
like
to
learn
more
about
moya,
reach
out
anytime
we're
on
social
media
at
boston,
immigrant,
fast
immigrants,
our
email
is
immigrant
advancement
at
boston.gov
and
our
number
is
617-625-2980
and
I'm
really
excited
to
announce.
We
will
have
another
event
with
suitcase
stories
and
cheryl
around
june,
so
be
sure
to
follow
us
and
join
us
again
for
that,
and
I
would
be
remiss
not
to-
and
at
least
my
portion
of
this,
by
thanking
my
team,
especially
our
communications
manager,
who's,
just
brilliant,
paying
you
for
putting
this
together.
A
B
Thanks
all
right,
so
thank
you
to
moya
for
your
partnership
as
well.
I
feel
it's
a
big
love,
fest,
the
international
student
of
england,
is
so
grateful
that
you
give
us
a
platform
to
get
these
stories
out
there
and,
if
you're,
someone
who's
watching.
That
has
a
suitcase
story
which,
if
you
know
me,
I
believe
everyone
does
please
reach
out
to
us
at
iae.org.
B
We're
always
looking
for
new
and
interesting
stories
to
feature,
but
mostly
thank
you
for
tuning
in.
There
is
so
much
online
that
we
can
watch
these
days,
but
it
means
a
lot
that
you're
supporting
this
particular
program,
all
right.
That
is
the
end
of
our
official
program.
But
this
is
the
part
two
bonus.
I'm
going
to
kick
off
a
question
to
our
storytellers.
B
You
can
turn
on
your
audios
now
everybody,
and
if
anybody
in
the
audience
wants
to
ask
a
question,
please
throw
it
in
the
chat
I'll
try
to
get
to
them,
but
to
our
storytellers.
Let's
start
with
you
miriam
because
you're
in
my
top
right,
why
did
you
want
to
share
your
story?
Why
was
this
important
to
you.
G
I
think
that
one
of
the
biggest
motivations
is
that
I
know
that
2020
was
difficult
as
a
business
owner
and
as
a
women
business
owner,
and
I
just
wanted
my
story
and
even
if,
if
it
had
hard
times
and
good
times
that
it's
hopeful
and
that
it
helps
other
people
know
that
it's
possible
to
start
a
business
and
to
be
in
the
midst
of
everything
and
come
out.
The
other
side
yeah
great.
E
Thank
you
so
much,
I
think
for
me.
I
I
figured
that
sharing
a
story
is
is
always
good,
because
that's
one
more
experience
that
goes
unlocked
in
a
way.
I
think
2020
has
been
really
hard
for
a
lot
of
people,
and
I
I
do
meet
many
people
who
tell
me
you
know.
Thankfully
I
did
not
experience
any
deaths
in
the
family.
We,
we
are
all
good
and
I
think
as
much
as
I
I
like
to
hear
these
stories
and
see
the
positivity
in
them.
E
I
think
that
that
is
always
balanced
with
the
other
side
of
reality,
which
includes
these
losses.
I
was
blessed
enough
to
have
both
where
our
family
experienced
these
series
of
losses,
but
we
also
experienced
those
series
of
births,
so
there
is
a
balance
that
we
are
forced,
or
maybe
we
have
the
opportunity
to
to
to
achieve
right.
B
And
also
some
wisdom
and
teen
wolf,
who
knew
I
did
I
did
when
the
covet
first
appeared.
I
think
the
real
reality
for
me
of
how
it
affected
immigrants
and
refugees
was
that
the
first
three
people
I
knew
that
had
coveted
were
suitcase
storytellers,
and
it
just
reminded
me
like
this
is
very
real
and
it's
affecting
all
of
us.
Natalicia
people
were
frozen
by
your
story
as
they
said
they
couldn't
even
comment
while
they
were
listening.
Can
you
turn
your
audio
off
on
and
tell
us
why
you
shared
your
story.
H
You
know
for
everyone
who
knows
me
knows
that
I'm
tough
and
I'm
always
on
the
move,
and
I
just
want
to
show
the
human
side
of
just.
You
know
that
we
all
have
and
the
fact
that
a
lot
of
times
we
are
juggling
being
really
tough
and
being
out
there
for
the
community,
but
also
that
we
also.
You
know
that
it's
important
to
humanize
and
it's
okay
to
be
vulnerable,
sometimes
too,
and
not
for
anyone
right.
B
Yeah,
absolutely,
I
think,
that's
the
the
burden,
so
many
frontline
professionals
share,
whether
in
the
hospitals
or
when
all
profits
like
ours,
serving
people
like
yeah
and
we're
all
incredibly
grateful.
Your
sister
is
okay,
like
deeply
grateful
all
right
maida.
Why
did
you
I
know
you
were
asked
by
some
colleagues
to
share
your
story?
Why
did
you
say
yes.
D
I
think
I
wanted
to
share
the
message
that
although
kovid
brought
a
lot
of
fear
and
uncertainty
for
a
lot
of
immigrants,
this
fear
and
uncertainty
is
familiar
and,
of
course,
different
communities
have
been
hit
differently
by
covet.
I
myself
am
very
privileged.
I
am
working
remotely.
I
have
my
green
card.
B
J
B
I
I
I
F
I
People
with
people
who
are
from
any
number
of
countries-
it's
amazing.
Sometimes
we
have
20
countries
represented
on
the
floor,
and
so
I
thought
that
the
the
underlying
posture
about
how
you
deal
with
differences
turns
out
to
be
a
great
learning
experience,
because
when
you
have
so
many
people
coming
from
so
many
different
places,
their
understanding
of
the
issues
of
language
is
not
the.
F
B
B
So
I
we
don't
have
time
for
a
lot
more.
I
mean
that
was
a
really
great,
but
we've
been
asked
multiple
times
this
question
in
the
chat.
So
I
think
it's
a
great
one
to
end
on
for
each
of
you
in
the
interest
of
time
and
people
asked
what
did
you
learn
about
storytelling
and
or
about
yourself
through
crafting
your
story,
because
this
is
a
skill,
it's
a
skill
and
it's
something
that
I
think
benefits
our
society,
but
who
wants
to
put
a
hand
up
and
go
first.
F
B
That's
a
great
com.
Besides
the
part
about
me,
I
just
want
to
say
that
you're
right
about
making
it
relatable
is
so
important,
but
actually
it's
why
we
encourage
storytellers
to
work
with
other
people
about
on
stories.
Your
neighbors
just
telling
your
friends
and
neighbors
they're
going
to
ask
you
things.
Our
stories
are
so
close
to
us
that
we
need
to
learn
and
hear
what
other
people
need
to
hear
miriam.
You
raised
your
hand.
What
did
you
learn.
G
So
I
actually
was
a
minister
with
my
husband
before
we
opened
the
business
for
almost
20
years,
so
I
spoke
in
public
a
lot
given
messages
and
things,
but
I
learned
so
much.
There's
such
a
big
difference
in
storytelling
than
just
giving
a
message
and
so
bringing
in
you
know
since
I'm
13
and
now
I'm
53.
B
D
D
For
me
you
know
I
wasn't
super
impacted
by
covid,
because
I
worked
remotely
because
I
didn't
have
anyone
in
my
immediate
family
that
was
affected,
so
just
working
with
you
to
find
the
common
thread
with
this
year
and
how
it
connected
to
other
years
was
yeah.
Just
having
your
story
heard
by
someone
else
and
having
someone
else
help
you
realize
that
it's
worth
sharing,
I
think.
B
B
So
interesting
to
me,
we've
had
over
200
suitcase
storytellers
and
I'm
going
to
say.
98
are
always
saying
this
like.
Are
they
going
to
care?
Do
they
know?
Are
they
going
to
be
interested?
And
I
think
it's
we're
all
very
humble
and
believing
in
you
and
believing
your
story
is
so
critical?
That's
alicia
something
you
learned.
H
B
J
Really
lucky
with
this,
like
my
day
like
you
know,
everyone
in
my
life
has
been
healthy.
I
haven't
lost
anybody,
god
forbid,
but
that
still
that
sort
of
experience
of
having
to
like
wait.
The
disappointment,
like
I
think
we
all
in
this
past
year,
have
had
different
things.
We
have
to
struggle
through
different
things.
B
Thank
you.
I
wish
we
had
more
time
to
answer
a
couple
extra
questions,
but
I
just
want
to
thank
everyone
who's
watching.
We
we
tell
stories,
but
it's
nice
to
have
someone
to
listen
to
them,
and
we
hope
that
when
we
release
these
you'll
share
your
favorites
or
all
of
them
with
your
friends
and
communities,
because
I
think
again,
these
are
these
aren't
the
type
of
stories
we
hear
enough
of
and
we
should
and
really
humanizing.