The Journal joined with the Manhattan Afghan Resettlement Team to host a block party on Saturday that drew more than 150 people to Blue Earth Plaza in the Little Apple.
The event, designed to commemorate our Spring edition cover story, sought to celebrate Afghan food and culture and the community collaboration that has happened to make Afghan refugees feel at home.
During the block party, Amina Shinwari, the fourth grader featured on The Journal cover, gave a stirring speech in English. She hadn’t attended school before arriving in Manhattan in 2017. The local newspaper, The Manhattan Mercury, covered the event. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran also attended and included a mention in his newsletter.
Below is a gallery of photos from the event by Julian Montes, creatives services manager at the Kansas Leadership Center.
Clockwise from top left: Amina Shinwari speaks to the crowd; Fatima Jaghoori provides a welcome in Farsi; The event offered opportunities for connection between the Manhattan community and Afghan refugees; Representatives of KLC distributed copies of The Journal at the event; In addition to a feast of Afghan food, the event featured games and art.
The article about Afghan refugees resettling in Manhattan appears in the Spring 2023 issue of The Journal, a publication of the Kansas Leadership Center. To learn more about KLC, visit http://kansasleadershipcenter.org. Order your copy of the magazine at the KLC Store or subscribe to the print edition.
