๐ Welcoming Our New Neighbors
James Baldwin! Ashely Judd! Martin Luther King Jr.! Welcoming Refugees!
Hello friends and damn-givers!
You made it to the end of another week. Iโm so proud of you.
Before I share our most recent podcast conversation, here are a few things I think you should know about:
LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST: Ezra Klein spoke with Harvard Professor Brandon Terry about Martin Luther King Jr.โs Forgotten Teachings. Ezra is one of my favorite interviewers and this conversation is exceptional and incredible helpful.
WATCH THIS FILM: Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, and Ashley Judd star in She Saidโan incredible film about the NYT investigation that initiated the downfall of rapist Hollywood boss, Harvey Weinstein. This film reminded me of how much horrible shit women have had to deal with since the beginning of time and, unfortunately, still have to deal with today. May we be the last generation that accepts misogyny and abuse from men at the top.
READ THIS QUOTE: A timely reminder about giving a damn from James Baldwin: โIf one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. One goes to the unprotected โ those, precisely, who need the lawโs protection most! โ and listens to their testimony.โ
And now, hereโs most recent podcast conversation!
This week's guest is the incredible Nazazin Ash. Nazanin is the CEO of Welcome.USโa new national initiative built to inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans from all corners of the country to welcome and support those seeking refuge here. This organization is led by a truly incredible team and is co-chaired by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, President Clinton and First Lady and Secretary Hillary Clinton, and President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.ย
Welcome.US is only 16 months old but they have already accomplished so much:
โ 800 organizations and 221 leaders make up the welcome coalition and council.
โ The Welcome Fund, in partnership with GoFundMe.org, has raised more than $20M, supporting resettlement agencies and 180 frontline organizations, nearly 70% of which are refugee, diaspora, veteran, or faith-led.
โ Welcome.US CEO Council members contributed $179,074,000 in goods, services and funds to resettlement efforts in the U.S. over the past year.
โ More than 58,000 Afghans and Ukrainians Welcomed by American Sponsors. Over 130,000 Americans have signed up to sponsor, and Welcome.US is powering Americansโ desire to help.
โ 68,000 jobs posted by 224 companies on the Welcome.US Employment Exchange. Plus, nationwide hiring fairs for newcomers.
โ 29 organizations are on the Welcome Exchange, and $18.8M in-kind donations have been made to resettlement organizations.
NEXT STEPS:
โ Follow Nazanin on Twitter.
โ Follow Welcome.US on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
โ Become a sponsor! It's such an incredible opportunity.ย
โ Listen to the podcast below!
Or you can listen on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Anchor, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
That's all for this week. Thank youย for reading. I'm truly grateful. Consider forward this email to a friend?ย Or send them this linkย so they can sign up! And you can always email me. See you in 2023! We have a lot of work to do. For now, rest. Love y'all.
Keep giving a damn, my friends!
Nick Laparra