Family Reunion ‘25: A Night to Remember
On November 15, people across the state streamed into Chez Rama the Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s first-ever Family Reunion. It was a chance to be together in person, at the end of a difficult year.
Video highlights will be posted soon. They include:
A griot performance from Habi Gawlo.
Remarks by Ayman Soliman and Gerónimo Ramírez (Maya Ixil), co-founder of Comunidad Sol.
A surprise performance from the internationally renowned pop star Salif Sarr, who showed up with his mom! Salif sang “Naange Feeñi” (the sun is out and shining bright) and “Jontaado.”
Celebrating four men from West Africa who were the victims of a near-fatal crime in Columbus. With help from OIA and the OSU Moritz College of Law Immigration Clinic, they are on their way to stable immigration status.
A shout out to organizational partners, super volunteers, and major donors to the Ohio Immigrant Alliance.
Our youngest OIA team member, Nounou, staffed the merch table featuring traditional Fulani hoops; paperback copies of the Ohio Migration Anthology; and t-shirts from our online store, featuring artwork by Cincinnati high school student Shema Asifiwe. You can still purchase OIA merchandise at our online store.
Reunion attendees left re-invigorated after meeting people IRL for the first time, reconnecting with old friends, and forging new relationships. This is why we always say Ohio is home and worth fighting for. The heroes we see and know about, but don’t always get celebrated. Everyday folks doing amazing things for other people — sometimes people they have never met, and may never know.
The reunion was featured on NBC4 and in the Columbus Dispatch. As Executive Director Lynn Tramonte said, "It's been a really difficult year for everybody, not just immigrants, and we needed a moment to come together." Ayman Soliman, one of the featured speakers, said, "Knowing that this community showed up to support me, you're born again. They saved my life and I'm just here to say thank you."
If you think Ohio is home for anyone who chooses to make it so, you are part of our Ohio Immigrant Alliance family. Donate to the Ohio Immigrant Alliance today.
