AFFAIRS: Art, Food & Fashion Appreciating Immigrants and Refugees

This year on June 14, 2022, partnering with Metroparks Glass City, we are hosting Art, Food & Fashion Appreciating Immigrants and Refugees (AFFAIRS) in conjunction with Immigrant Heritage Month. Open to all, this program will offer family-friendly activities with art and fashion from various countries. Women of Toledo aims to strengthen our neighborhoods and community through the appreciation of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity to encourage an inclusive and peaceful society. Together, we will raise awareness of the vital role that immigrants, refugees, and diverse populations have played in building a strong and successful community and nation.

A showcase of various local Immigrant women-owned businesses and restaurants (+some HeforShe businesses/restaurants) in celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month. Open to all, this IHM AFFAIRS will offer family-friendly activities including:

• Appreciating Immigrants and Refugees featuring #HerStory of local Immigrants with Portraits Exhibition partnering with J.Bak S
• Chinese calligraphy
• Live Music & Dances Around the World
• International Display & Fashion
• Food Trucks and various food from India, Mexican, Mediterranean, Caribbean

Advocacy - Cultural Heritage Month:

At Women of Toledo, we take pride in the diversity of women and youth that we serve and continue to find ways not only to elevate but also to highlight and celebrate their cultural heritage. Our goals are always to nurture and support learning from the past and reflecting on the present to create a more equitable future. As we acknowledge the progress we have made, it is important to recognize our community's cultural diversity and heritage as we continue to advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Each year, WOT organizes a Cultural Heritage celebration as part of our DEI efforts, advocacy on economic inequality, and outreach on the importance to preserve our cultural diversity, and heritage because it keeps our integrity, dignity, and respect as people.

Impact & Outcomes in the Year 2021:In February, we hosted Art, Food & Soul, in conjunction with Black History month and featured 19 Black women-owned businesses, which was attended by more than 75 community members. In May, in conjunction with Asian Heritage Month, we celebrated and featured 11 Asian women-owned businesses during our Art, Food & Fun, which was attended by more than 200 community members. We take pride in the diversity within our support network and continue to find ways not only to elevate and celebrate minority businesses but also to decrease the network gap that exists among women of color through our heritage month campaigns.

For more information, please contact our Managing and Program Director, Nina Corder at nina@womenoftoledo.org or phone 567.970.7172