An evening of International flavors! Sample immigrant-run local restaurants- Featuring Keynote Speaker: Roberto G. Gonzales

Explore food from around the world at the 9th Annual YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 7pm-9pm at The Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville. VIP reception beginning at 6:00 pm.

The evening will include tastes from local immigrant-run restaurants, entertainment, raffles, a cash bar, and an awards presentation honoring the work of local community leaders, Josh Zakim and Natalicia Tracy. We are also extremely excited and honored to have Roberto G. Gonzales as our Keynote Speaker for the evening.

Roberto G. Gonzales is Professor of Education at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and author of the award-winning book, Lives in Limbo: Undocumented and Coming of Age in America (University of California Press). His research centers on contemporary processes of immigration and social inequality, and stems from theoretical interests at the intersection of race and ethnicity, immigration, and policy. His work is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others. Since 2002 he has carried out one of the most comprehensive studies of undocumented immigrants in the United States. His book, Lives in Limbo, is based on an in-depth study that followed 150 undocumented young adults in Los Angeles for twelve years.

To date, Lives in Limbo has won seven major book awards, including the Society for the Study of Social Problems C. Wright Mills Award, the American Education Research Association Outstanding Book Award, and the Law and Society Association Herbert Jacob Book Award. In addition, Professor Gonzales’ National UnDACAmented Research Project has surveyed nearly 2,700 undocumented young adults and has carried out 500 in-depth interviews on their experience following President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The Suzanne Sanker Founder’s Award will be presented to Josh Zakim, community activist and Boston City Council official (District 8) this evening. This award recognizes an outstanding individual or group who has served as a leader in building the collective power of Somerville area immigrants.

The Intercultural City Award will be presented to Natalicia Tracy this evening. This award recognizes an outstanding individual or group whose work has substantially and positively impacted Somerville as an intercultural city.

Want an opportunity to mingle with our award recipients and Keynote Speaker, Roberto G. Gonzales, before the Yum event? Join us at 6:00 pm for a very special VIP Reception. Complimentary wine and beer will be provided at this time to our VIPS in addition to delicious hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for the VIP Reception are $175 and include 3 raffle tickets (at the door).

YUM promotes immigrant-run local restaurants, highlighting contributions of the city’s immigrant communities. All proceeds of this event will benefit The Welcome Project, a non-profit in Somerville, Massachusetts. The Welcome Project builds the collective power of Somerville immigrants to participate in and shape community decisions.

They  are happy to offer special pricing for Boston area students! Email kenia@welcomeproject.org for the student password/promo code.

Buy tickets for YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City   https://www.welcomeproject.org/yumsomerville