Atlanta Joins Welcome.us in Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month

“The entrepreneurial drive and spirit of our country is built on our diversity of origins,” said Reed in a news release. “This month, we look forward to joining cities and leaders across the country in honoring and celebrating the role immigrants continue to play in making our city competitive and dynamic, both culturally and economically.”   

As a Welcome.us honorary board member, Reed joins other distinguished leaders to help elevate the work of Welcome.us, including: Mark Zuckerberg; policymakers including Congressmen David Valadao, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Congressman Mike Honda, U.S Representative Jared Polis and others; athletes; faith leaders; media personalities and celebrities, including Jared Leto, Russell Simmons, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, and more –to help elevate the work of Welcome.us.

“We are thrilled that elected leaders across the U.S. have recognized the importance of Immigrant Heritage Month,” Tolu Olubunmi, executive director of Welcome.us, said in the release. “America is a great nation with a rich culture because of the unique experiences each of us has had. Immigrant Heritage Month is a time to celebrate that diversity and to honor the experiences that unite us. We are proud to be joined in this effort by Americans from all walks of life including elected officials, celebrities, business leaders and influential social organizations that will help carry our message forward.”

Throughout the month, Reed and Welcome.us are encouraging citizens to share their immigration stories through social media and the Welcome.us website. Citizens can help celebrate the month by sharing their stories using the hashtag #welcomeus on social media streams, including: Facebook: www.facebook.com/cityofatlanta, www.facebook.com/welcomeus; Instagram: CityofAtlantaGA, Welcome_us; Twitter: @CityofAtlanta, @Welcome_us; and YouTube: www.youtube.com/WelcomeIHM. 

Last week, Reed convened the Welcoming Atlanta Working Group, a 21-member group that will develop recommendations to address the gaps in integration of Atlanta’s newly arrived communities as well as help elevate and celebrate immigrants in Atlanta. The group is expected to provide recommendations to Reed by August 2014.

Welcome.us, a new non-profit organization, is dedicated to celebrating a United States that is fueled by immigrants from around the world. Led by Tolu Olubunmi, an immigrant and DREAMer, the organization is focused on launching the Welcome.us campaign and establishing Immigrant Heritage Month to honor the ways in which America and the immigrants who have built our country are linked in a shared, productive history.

Welcome.us is supported by FWD.us, which was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Marissa Mayer, Reid Hoffman, Bill Gates, Padmasree Warrior, and other tech leaders. Our Honorary Board for Immigrant Heritage Month includes: Congressmen Valadao, Congressman Crowley, Congressman Honda, Congressman Polis, Jared Leto, Russell Simmons, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Bolton and Kenny G. Learn more about the campaign and Immigrant Heritage Month by visiting Welcome.us.