MainStages 2021

NIIC includes 5-7 MainStage Sessions which address big picture and up-to-the-minute issues impacting immigrant and refugee communities. More than 375 diverse leaders from across the sector have been featured on the NIIC MainStage, as well as dozens of artists, performers and cultural workers.

Please see below for details about the NIIC 2021 MainStages.

Monday October 4

Conference Kick-Off & MainStage Plenary 1: Leaving No One Behind: Our Vision for Immigration Integration 

9am-10:30am  

This plenary will highlight the long-haul vision and strategy to push for the full inclusion of the 44  million foreign born in our nation, including the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.who need a permanent pathway to citizenship. Millions of farmworkers, DACA recipients, TPS holders and essential workers have played a vital role in the nation's social fabric, economy, workforce and will be critical to our economic recovery.  As the state of play on immigration unfolds under the Biden administration's first year, our panelists will share their vision about how we can continue to advocate, organize, and implement a historic and inclusive path to citizenship this year.

Special Guests:

  • Governor Steve Sisolak (Nevada)

  • U.S. Rep. Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38)

  • Ur Jaddou, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 

Welcome:

  • Nicole Melaku, Executive Director,National Partnership for New Americans

  • Enrique L. Fernández, Vice President--Immigration, Diversity & Civil Rights, UNITE HERE

  • Duy Nguyen,Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Asian Community Development Council

  • Laura Martin, Executive Director, Progressive Leadership Alliance of NV

  • Rulon Pete, Executive Director, Las Vegas Indian Center

Emcee: Aida Rodriguez, Comedian, Actress & Writer

Moderator: 

  • Angelica Salas, Executive Director, The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; Co-Chair, National Partnership for New Americans

Speakers:

  • Becky Belcore, Executive Director, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium

  • Nana Gyamfi, Executive Director, Black Alliance for Just Immigration

  • Sergio Gonzalez, Executive Director, Immigration Hub

  • Marielena Hincapie, Executive Director, National Immigration Law Center

  • Abe Lugo, Student Activist, UndocuCouncil, Progressive Leadership Alliance of NV

Performance by Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko

MainStage Plenary 2: You’re Welcome, Signed Immigrants: Our Path to A Reflective & Resilient Democracy

12:30pm-2:15pm

This plenary will address the interconnected threats on our democracy and voting rights with shifting demographics and the rising diverse new american electorate; the urgency of and lessons from multiracial, multiethnic and cross-class coalitions; power building, solidarity and unity across our diverse communities; and the role of both research and philanthropy in powering movement building for the long-term.  Leaders will reflect on building power and the lessons coming out of 2020,  the demographic findings from the 2020 census, and what it takes to build strong organizations to effectively shape this work. Join this  insightful conversation as we look toward the future of democracy-building in a politically complex and ever-changing environment.

Special Guest: 

  • U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (NY-6)

Emcee: Aida Rodriguez, Comedian, Actress & Writer

Moderator: 

  • Deepak Bhargava, Distinguished Professor, The City University of New York

Speakers:

  • Laura Martin, Executive Director, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada

  • Manuel Pastor, Director, University of Southern California Equity Research Institute

  • Marissa Tirona, President, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees

  • Nsé Ufot, Chief Executive Officer, The New Georgia Project

  • Mario Yedidia, Deputy Director, UNITE HERE

Performance by Aja Monet

MainStage Plenary 3: Our Shared Prosperity: A Two-Part Conversation

4:30pm-6:15pm

Critical Conversations: The Global Economy

A just global economy is the building block to achieve a brighter economic future for all of us. This critical conversation with Hikmet Ersek, CEO of Western Union and Dr. Andrew Seleey will provide context for the important role that business and remittances can play in building a resilient and interconnected economy.  Dr. Seeley will share the latest research to lift up migrants as agents of change and drivers of economic opportunity worldwide.  

Speakers:

  • Hikmet Ersek, Chief Executive Officer, Western Union

  • Andrew Selee, President, Migration Policy Institute

A Just Economy for All

While immigrants and refugees have always been essential to this country, the Covid crisis has put a spotlight on the courageous contributions of immigrants on the front lines, and their critical role as we begin to recover from the pandemic. This plenary will discuss the role of immigrants and refugees as we work toward a more just economic recovery that creates opportunities for all communities, including immigrant workers. Panelists will focus on policy implications, models, the role of business in recovery and success stories from Nevada and our movements across the country

Emcee:

  • Duy Nguyen, Vice President & COO, Asian Community Development Council

Moderator: 

  • Charles Kamasaki, Sr. Cabinet Advisor, Unidos US 

Speakers:

  • Irene Bustamante Adams, Deputy Director and Chief Strategy Officer, Nevada Workforce Connections

  • Tefere Gebre, Executive Vice President, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations

  • Mario Hernandez, Director of Public Affairs, Western Union 

  • Allison Julien, Co-Director New York Chapter,  National Domestic Workers Alliance

  • Vida Lin, President, Asian Community Development Council

  • Leo Murrieta, Director, Make the Road Nevada

Performance by Folklorico Libertad

Tuesday October 5

MainStage Plenary 4: Hear Our Story: Asian & Pacific Islander Communities Rising

8:30am-10am

This plenary will address the layered, diverse, and resilient story of Asian and Pacific Islander communities.  Anti-AAPI sentiment did not originate under the Trump administration, rather has been stoked throughout history in times of economic crisis and political instability and enacted through policy in the last two centuries.  In response and resistance. AAPI communities have built resilient and vibrant communities that are a critical part of the American story.  Experts and leading organizers will unpack this history, respond to this moment, and uncover the breadth and rising power of  AAPI immigrant communities as a powerful and engaged electorate that will continue to shape our nation.  The conversation will inspire greater understanding and solidarity with our  AAPI community as we strive for greater inclusion and equity across our communities.

Emcee & Moderator: Arun Venugopal, Senior Reporter, Race & Justice Unit, WNYC/National Public Radio 

Speakers:

  • Christine Chen, Executive Director, Asian Pacific Islander American Vote

  • Shui-Ming Cheer, Deputy Director of Programs & Campaigns, California Immigrant Policy Center

  • Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Executive Director, National Asian Pacific Women’s Forum

  • Quyen Dinh, Executive Director, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center

  • Tavae Samuelu, Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities  

  • Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director, Asian American Federation

Performance to be announced

MainStage Plenary 5: Solidarity in Focus: Healing Our Way Towards Belonging

12:00pm-1:45pm

To advance racial equity and the full inclusion of immigrant and refugee communities, we must deeply embrace the practice of solidarity as a core pillar of our work. Professor john a. powell, Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, kicks off this plenary and will offer insight into the concept of belonging through his research and years of experience as an equity practitioner. Panelists will react and share how the immigrant and refugee advocacy sector can more deeply practice and operationalize these concepts within our organizations, policy making, our coalition and narrative work to shape the future of immigrant inclusion for a new generation.

Emcee: Arun Venugopal, Senior Reporter, Race & Justice Unit, WNYC/National Public Radio 

Moderator: 

  • Nicole Melaku, Executive Director, National Partnership for New Americans

Keynote: 

  • Professor john a. powell, Director, Othering & Belonging Institute, University of California Berkeley

Speakers:

  • Jeff Chang, Senior Advisor, Race Forward / Butterfly Lab for Immigrant Narrative Strategy

  • Janeen Comenote, Executive Director, National Urban Indian Family Coalition

  • Jonathan Jayes-Green, Vice President of Programs, Marguerite Casey Foundation

  • Kica Matos, Vice President of Initiatives, Vera Institute for Justice  

Performance: Ruby Ibarra

Closing & MainStage Plenary 6:  Forecasting Our Future: A Two-Part Conversation 

3:30pm-5:45pm

Part 1: Harnessing Welcome & Community Support for Our New Afghan Neighbors 

In the last weeks of August 2021, the global community was gripped by the chaotic departure of U.S. forces from Afghanistan after a 20-year operation on the ground. The images are devastating. The stories are heartbreaking. But the tremendous response from people across the country has been uplifting and inspiring. Refugee resettlement agencies, diaspora organizations, and other community groups have seen an unprecedented outpouring of support from people looking to help the thousands who made it out of Afghanistan in time. Communities across from coast-to-coast the United States have rallied in preparation to support our new Afghan neighbors. In this session we will discuss the ways organizations have harnessed the power of welcoming communities to respond quickly and innovatively to this complex emergency, while simultaneously centering Afghan-American community voices, priorities, and expertise in the process of welcome. 

Special Guests:

  • Governor Jack Markell, White House Operation Allies Welcome Coordinator (invited)

  • Cecilia Muñoz, Senior Advisor at New America and co-chair of Welcome.US  (Invited) 

Moderator:

  • Basma Alawee, National Campaign Manager, We Are All America

Keynote:

  • Bilal Askaryar, Communications Coordinator, Women’s Refugee Commission

Speakers:   

  • Denise Bell, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Welcome.US

  • Danielle Grigsby, Director of External Affairs, Community Sponsorship Hub

  • Erol Kekic, Executive Director, Church World Service

  • Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service 

Part 2: People on the Move: A Global Tipping Point

The imminent threat of climate change is on our doorstep, and increasingly coming into focus as a leading driver of immigration worldwide. The United Nations estimates that nearly 200 million people will be on the move as a result of climate change by 2050. This plenary will explore the current and impending movement of migrants fleeing climate related disasters that will drive greater economic inequality across the globe.  President Biden’s Executive Action on Tackling Climate Change at Home and Abroad is a first step to sharpen our commitment to combating climate change but how do we address these challenges in a comprehensive way that address the many levers that could potentially drive millions to seek refuge in the United States?  Panlists will explore the shifting role of the U.S. as a leader on these issues, the current state of climate related mass migration, implications for migration along the southern border of the U.S., and lessons from global partners to highlight the need for an urgent collective response.

Emcee: To be Announced

Moderator: 

  • George Escobar, Chief of Programs and Services, CASA 

Speakers:

  • Julián Escutia Rodríguez, Consul of Mexico in Las Vegas

  • Stella Opoku-Owusu, Deputy Director, African Foundation for Development 

  • Saket Soni, Executive Director, Resilience Force  

  • Hans Van de Weerd, Interim Senior Vice President, International Rescue Committee

  • Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

Performance Mariachi Joya

Photos of NIIC across this site are the work of our talented team of photographers over the years, including: Carolina Kroon (lead), Oliver Contreras, Anja Hitzenberg, Phil Soto, Marcin Szczepanski and Stephanie Williams.