Our Stories Carried Us Here Book Reading in Fargo, North Dakota

420 Broadway North,Fargo ND 58102

13 January, 2022

Description

Contributors to the graphic novel, "Our Stories Carried Us Here" will speak at Zandbroz Variety in Fargo, North Dakota on Thursday, 1/13. Join us in-person to meet and hear your very own Fargo community members and contributors, Benie Mekoulom and Bambi Lambert on their beautiful and poignant new graphic novel, "Our Stories Carried Us Here." Ten individual stories compellingly detail a variety of experiences each immigrant or refugee had, highlighting differences between stories that too often are lumped together or not given an opportunity to be heard. Each storyteller was paired with an illustrator from a similar linguistic and cultural heritage. Producing a co-creation process that conveyed emotional text and illustrations. Bringing out narratives of both struggles and beauty of acclimating to a new language, culture, and worldview as well as dealing with obstacles like racism and microaggressions... Green Card Voices presents a bold and unconventional collection of ten stories told and illustrated by immigrants and refugees living across the United States. Stanford scientist, deaf student, indigenous activist, Black entrepreneur--all immigrants and refugees--recount journeys from their home countries in ten vibrantly illustrated stories. Faced by unfamiliar vistas, they are welcomed with possibilities, and confronted by challenges and prejudice. Timely, sobering, and insightful, "Our Stories Carried Us Here" acts as a mirror and a light to connect us all with immigrant and refugee experiences. As well as it "will strongly evoke both thought-provoking insights and empathy." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) FEATURED SPEAKERS: Benie Mekoulom Benie (formerly known as Ruth) Mekoulom has lived in Fargo, North Dakota, since the age of thirteen. She attended South Fargo High School and later transferred to Davies High School, where she graduated in 2019. She took classes with other English Language Learner students while also being in the deaf and hard of hearing program. Benie became a US citizen in October 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and volunteers with organizations in her community. Benie will start phlebotomy studies in the summer of 2021 and hopes to work with elders as a certified nurse assistant. Bambi Lambert Bambi Lambert, M.Ed. is a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing for the Fargo Public Schools. Her experience within the Deaf community has been lifelong as she is a Child of Deaf Adults and her first language was American Sign Language. She maintains her national ASL interpreting credentials through the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. She first partnered with Green Card Voices when Benie (then Ruth)’s story was featured in the Green Card Youth Voices of Fargo’s book and now “Our Stories Carried Us Here.” Bambi currently resides in Glyndon, MN with her husband, Nathan and children, Annika, Aubrey, and Sawyer. Laetitia Mizero Hellerud Laetitia Mizero Hellerud is a well-traveled small business entrepreneur, author, and recipient of the prestigious Bush Foundation Fellowship. She is the founder and principal of UBUNTU Consulting, an intercultural firm specializing in creating better integrated, more equitable workplaces and communities where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. She lived in three other countries as a refugee before resettling in the USA in the fall of 1998 and has resided in North Dakota since. She has a BS in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Burundi and a MS from the University of Mary. Her published books are: Being at Home in the World: Cross-Cultural Leadership Lessons to Guide Your Journey and Turning Points: True stories of Thriving Through Adversity. Both books highlight, in different ways, the interconnectedness of people and cultures. Laetitia considers herself a seeker, learner, teacher, changemaker, and currently serves as a Board of Directors at Green Card Voices. TICKET DETAILS: This event is free and all are welcome. You can purchase your copy of the book and get it signed at the event. ASL interpreting will be included. Masks are required for all attendees. Registration will close one hour before the event; therefore please reserve your spot early as registrations are limited due to COVID regulations. Don't miss out! www.greencardvoices.org